Anchor text
The clickable text or image of a link is known as the anchor text. It is highlighted and stands out from the rest of the text so that users know that it is a link to be clicked upon.
For better Search Engine Optimization (SEO) results, the anchor text is mostly relevant to the page they are linked to. The blue, underlined anchor text is the most common web standard.
The anchor text gives an insight into the significance of the linked page. The text surrounding the anchor text, which can be a whole paragraph, gives insight into the specific value that the linked page provides. For example, a link that says “click here” is worth less than a link with anchor text like “an SEO study by Morningscore.” The best links provide context around the link itself through the anchor text.
Links or Hyperlinks
A link or hyperlink is a clickable text, image, or button on a webpage that leads to another webpage. There are different types of links such as inbound links, outbound links, and backlinks.
Inbound links
Inbound links are the backlinks that are directed from other websites to one’s own website. They have the most impact since they provide credibility. However, the inbound links should come from high-quality, relevant sites. In general, the internet considers inbound links as an indicator of high-quality content.
Outbound links
Outbound links are those that take the user from one website to another. They are generally used in a way that appears natural to the user. Linking out to relevant and credible content helps associate one’s site with high-quality content. The internet considers outbound links as endorsements for other valuable content.
Difference between inbound and outbound links
The term “inbound links” refers to all backlinks pointing to one’s own website from other websites while “outbound links” are all hyperlinks pointing from one’s own website to other websites. In general, an inbound link for one website is an outbound link for the linking website.
Inbound and Outbound links sound similar but they have some differences. Functionally, the difference lies in where the backlink is placed – the origin and where it links to – the destination. Inbound links bring in more authority whereas outbound links share a part of the page’s authority with the destination website.
Importance of links in SEO
Search engine optimization or SEO is the process of improving the quality and quantity of traffic to a website or a web page. It helps in targetting unpaid traffic to increase a website’s visibility when people search for its products or services through search engines. Backlinks help get more visibility, traffic, and customers and help rank higher in search engine results. This also shows that one’s pages are authoritative and relevant to the user’s search query.
When done right, SEO can generate filtered leads. Businesses that generate leads or sales through SEO tend to have superior conversion rates and are observed to have higher ticket sizes per sale. Many SEO packages are available to boost one’s business, ranking, and revenue.
High-quality inbound links help in search engine optimization by transferring authority from the origin website to the destination website. SEO uses outbound links to high-quality pages by considering the higher relevance and usefulness of the content. Inbound links are used in SEO more than outbound links as they directly signify that other websites find the content to be valuable. Meanwhile, outbound links hint that the content presented to the readers is well-researched and of high quality.