Comments on: SEO – Limit Anchor Text Links To 55 Characters In Length? http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/ A Scottish SEO Company Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:11:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Google prefers shorter anchor text | SEO http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18199 Google prefers shorter anchor text | SEO Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:20:41 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18199 [...] post made my eyes pop out: Google favors anchor text links of 55 characters or less for link building.  We have noticed that from our own linkbuilding efforts that shorter [...] [...] post made my eyes pop out: Google favors anchor text links of 55 characters or less for link building.  We have noticed that from our own linkbuilding efforts that shorter [...]

]]> By: David Black http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18198 David Black Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:02:44 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18198 Thanks for the heads up. I have been running my blog for around 6 months now and am looking to get more inbound links like everyone else. It is interesting to know that they only count the first 8 words in the anchor text link. Something to bear in mind for the future. This is one of the reasons why I am so glad I started my own blog. You are always learning new things which is why it remains so interesting. Thanks for the post. Thanks for the heads up. I have been running my blog for around 6 months now and am looking to get more inbound links like everyone else.

It is interesting to know that they only count the first 8 words in the anchor text link. Something to bear in mind for the future.

This is one of the reasons why I am so glad I started my own blog. You are always learning new things which is why it remains so interesting.

Thanks for the post.

]]> By: Mike http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18197 Mike Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:42:11 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18197 It is nice to finally see some one test this. I have always been a big fan of short anchor text links, 2 - 4 words max. I was never sure how far Google would read. I wonder if they rate the 8 words equally. I bet they don't. It is nice to finally see some one test this. I have always been a big fan of short anchor text links, 2 – 4 words max. I was never sure how far Google would read. I wonder if they rate the 8 words equally. I bet they don’t.

]]> By: Christmas Hamper http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18196 Christmas Hamper Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:26:08 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18196 Cool test! Cool test!

]]> By: Jeet http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18169 Jeet Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:46:43 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18169 @Shaun: Thanks for bringing this up again, you tested the LONG lengh of title earlier and each search engine dealt with it differently. Did you try finding out the behavior for other search engines. Will start keeping this limit in mind while writing titles ;-) @Shaun: Thanks for bringing this up again, you tested the LONG lengh of title earlier and each search engine dealt with it differently. Did you try finding out the behavior for other search engines.

Will start keeping this limit in mind while writing titles ;-)

]]> By: OatcakeEater http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18158 OatcakeEater Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:40:26 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18158 Nice test, missed this the first time around. Nice test, missed this the first time around.

]]> By: Why you need to run your own SEO test | Best SEO Blog http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18157 Why you need to run your own SEO test | Best SEO Blog Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:26:39 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18157 [...] ON EDIT: Here is Shaun’s article: SEO – Limit Anchor Text Links To 55 Characters In Length? [...] [...] ON EDIT: Here is Shaun’s article: SEO – Limit Anchor Text Links To 55 Characters In Length? [...]

]]> By: Shaun Anderson (Hobo) http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-18154 Shaun Anderson (Hobo) Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:16:53 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-18154 Chris - Test it yourself :p Chris – Test it yourself :p

]]> By: Chris Le quang http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-17023 Chris Le quang Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:10:38 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-17023 interesting test but after 56 comments about 55 words in anchor link, there is no one can demonstrate the truth of this statement. so, how can we trust on it? interesting test but after 56 comments about 55 words in anchor link, there is no one can demonstrate the truth of this statement.
so, how can we trust on it?

]]> By: kampanye damai pemilu indonesia 2009 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-17003 kampanye damai pemilu indonesia 2009 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:53:40 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-17003 woow this very-very nice tips to get ranking on SERP. thank's for this tips shaun woow this very-very nice tips to get ranking on SERP.
thank’s for this tips shaun

]]> By: Web Design http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-16917 Web Design Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:06:24 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-16917 Thanks for the great SEO tip on anchor links. 8-10 words at max, I will remember. Thanks for the great SEO tip on anchor links. 8-10 words at max, I will remember.

]]> By: Abhijeet http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-16790 Abhijeet Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:21:21 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-16790 Shaun, if it's true then do you think Google shall also limit the indexed title of the pages to 55 characters. My research on this showed me my blog has blog post titles more than 55 characters clearly indexed. This is certainly an interesting research at your end, and would like to discuss more on this. Shaun, if it’s true then do you think Google shall also limit the indexed title of the pages to 55 characters. My research on this showed me my blog has blog post titles more than 55 characters clearly indexed. This is certainly an interesting research at your end, and would like to discuss more on this.

]]> By: SEO Web Design http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-16127 SEO Web Design Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:24:02 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-16127 Too Cool buddy great work Too Cool buddy great work

]]> By: wigwam design http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-15796 wigwam design Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:49:36 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-15796 Great post. Keep up the good work hobo-web Great post. Keep up the good work hobo-web

]]> By: Frank http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-15607 Frank Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:13:32 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-15607 Nice test, I was recently thinking about writing an automated unit test suite in Django to run a whole bunch of tests against Google ranking and indexing patterns. Nice test, I was recently thinking about writing an automated unit test suite in Django to run a whole bunch of tests against Google ranking and indexing patterns.

]]> By: SEO company http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-15104 SEO company Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:43:10 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-15104 Great article. Thanks for sharing. Great article. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Shaun http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14731 Shaun Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:34:59 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14731 @Chris McGiffen - probably why you (and others) should test it too :) @Chris McGiffen – probably why you (and others) should test it too :)

]]> By: Jimmy Wirsborg http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14601 Jimmy Wirsborg Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:36:28 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14601 Awesome test! Would have taken me forever if ever to come to the conclusion to do the test like that =p Good Work and thanks for sharing =) Awesome test!

Would have taken me forever if ever to come to the conclusion to do the test like that =p

Good Work and thanks for sharing =)

]]> By: Video Converter http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-16558 Video Converter Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:41:51 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-16558 This is something I have never even considered. Food for thought This is something I have never even considered. Food for thought

]]> By: Car Lease http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-16559 Car Lease Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:35:22 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-16559 This is a nice article! Again, didn't even think of this as something to erm, think about. This is a nice article! Again, didn’t even think of this as something to erm, think about.

]]> By: hans http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14541 hans Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:45:32 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14541 Thanks for the test-results Thanks for the test-results

]]> By: Chris McGiffen http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14538 Chris McGiffen Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:52:26 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14538 It is an important point you make to place the more important key phrases/terms earlier in the link, however to place an actual number on what Google cuts at is unrealistic from this test. A dozen (200+ possibly) other variables may effect this, some possibilities I can think of on the spur of the moment are page length, word relevance (random character strings are not going to seem very relevant), main-text length, link length of all links on page, link length of all links to the target page, etc. It is an important point you make to place the more important key phrases/terms earlier in the link, however to place an actual number on what Google cuts at is unrealistic from this test.

A dozen (200+ possibly) other variables may effect this, some possibilities I can think of on the spur of the moment are page length, word relevance (random character strings are not going to seem very relevant), main-text length, link length of all links on page, link length of all links to the target page, etc.

]]> By: Web Design Company http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14492 Web Design Company Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:47:28 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14492 Keyword stuffing in anchor text is another point that can often get overlooked by web designers or search marketers. Search engines are smart enough to pick up repetions in anchor text as much as in standard on page text. Often while we are careful to ensure there is no keyword stuffing in main body text and that the content flows as regular language; you will be surprised to see how many times the keywords are repeated within the anchor text. Whilst it is perfectly OK and an effective SEO technique to use most desired keywords within the anchor and title for links and images; it is improtant to ensure slight variations as opposed to simply repeating the exact phrases. Keyword stuffing in anchor text is another point that can often get overlooked by web designers or search marketers. Search engines are smart enough to pick up repetions in anchor text as much as in standard on page text. Often while we are careful to ensure there is no keyword stuffing in main body text and that the content flows as regular language; you will be surprised to see how many times the keywords are repeated within the anchor text. Whilst it is perfectly OK and an effective SEO technique to use most desired keywords within the anchor and title for links and images; it is improtant to ensure slight variations as opposed to simply repeating the exact phrases.

]]> By: Googleは、何文字目までをアンカーテキストとして評価するのか http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14434 Googleは、何文字目までをアンカーテキストとして評価するのか Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:17:36 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14434 「Googleは、アンカーテキストの何文字目までを、そして何番目までの単語をカウントするのか」、 HoboブログのShaun氏が、実験を通して調査しました。 「Googleã¯ã€ã‚¢ãƒ³ã‚«ãƒ¼ãƒ†ã‚­ã ¹ãƒˆã®ä½•æ–‡å­—ç›®ã¾ã§ã‚’ã€ ãã—ã¦ä½•ç•ªç›®ã¾ã§ã®å˜èª ã‚’ã‚«ã‚¦ãƒ³ãƒˆã™ã‚‹ã®ã‹ã€ 、
HoboブログのShaun氏が、実験㠒通して調査しましたã€

]]> By: Sean the mover http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14369 Sean the mover Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:14:11 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14369 I've heard some goody things about this blog. Remember to balance the pics with the text tho. cheers! I’ve heard some goody things about this blog. Remember to balance the pics with the text tho. cheers!

]]> By: Shaun http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14342 Shaun Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:01:44 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14342 Thanks for the comment Sheryl :) Thanks for the comment Sheryl :)

]]> By: Sheryl Loch http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14235 Sheryl Loch Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:08:28 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14235 Hello Shaun, This is great to have an idea of what I need to do. I just wish I had know this a long time ago. I am usually a fanatic about keeping things short but, now I have a number to keep in mind (give or take a few). Thank you again! Hello Shaun,
This is great to have an idea of what I need to do. I just wish I had know this a long time ago.
I am usually a fanatic about keeping things short but, now I have a number to keep in mind (give or take a few).
Thank you again!

]]> By: wigwam design http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14163 wigwam design Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:09:51 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14163 Another great article, 5 star, that's what internet is for - the sharing of information Another great article, 5 star, that’s what internet is for – the sharing of information

]]> By: Shaun http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14153 Shaun Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:40:26 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14153 Thanks Paul. In cases like this I think this sort of test can help anyone, and hurt no-one, so I blab about it. :) Thanks Paul. In cases like this I think this sort of test can help anyone, and hurt no-one, so I blab about it. :)

]]> By: Paul-S http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14131 Paul-S Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:18:02 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14131 Great test Shaun, that's what I love about Hobo - your not afraid to test and share. Great test Shaun, that’s what I love about Hobo – your not afraid to test and share.

]]> By: seobro http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14092 seobro Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:32:43 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14092 You are right. The most important keywords need to be at the beginning of the link. I typically will have about five words in the anchor text of which four are important. However in the future Google may expand from 55 chars to 100; so long links are not a bad idea, just make sure to have the most important keys at the front. You are right. The most important keywords need to be at the beginning of the link. I typically will have about five words in the anchor text of which four are important.

However in the future Google may expand from 55 chars to 100; so long links are not a bad idea, just make sure to have the most important keys at the front.

]]> By: Mark Barrera http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14091 Mark Barrera Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:42:17 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14091 Agreed, I guess the only way to tell is to keep on testing :) Cheers Agreed, I guess the only way to tell is to keep on testing :)

Cheers

]]> By: Shaun http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14089 Shaun Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:27:12 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14089 Its always worth remembering there is probably a cut off point for what Google counts as a link - why not 55 characters? Might be an anti-spam measure, too. Its always worth remembering there is probably a cut off point for what Google counts as a link – why not 55 characters?

Might be an anti-spam measure, too.

]]> By: Shaun http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14088 Shaun Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:24:37 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14088 Good comment Mark. It's always worth remembering nobody knows what Google is doing. Kinds of reminds me of the age-old meta description arguments about what Google reads and what it counts when ranking sites :) I wanted to see if I could test something it in the wild - these are simply the results I got from that individual test. Good comment Mark. It’s always worth remembering nobody knows what Google is doing. Kinds of reminds me of the age-old meta description arguments about what Google reads and what it counts when ranking sites :)

I wanted to see if I could test something it in the wild – these are simply the results I got from that individual test.

]]> By: Mark Barrera http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14087 Mark Barrera Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:03:19 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14087 Great test, but I don't think this to be true, personally - although I am always interested in the tests of others and appreciate your thoughts on this topic! First, Google reports link text in GWT that is much longer than 55 characters. Also, I have seen that if the keywords are contained somewhere in your page, they will show more than 55 characters of text in the 'cached' version that you are referring to. They may truncate the text for 'links pointing at this page', but I doubt that this means they 'ignore' the other characters. Great test, but I don’t think this to be true, personally – although I am always interested in the tests of others and appreciate your thoughts on this topic!

First, Google reports link text in GWT that is much longer than 55 characters. Also, I have seen that if the keywords are contained somewhere in your page, they will show more than 55 characters of text in the ‘cached’ version that you are referring to.

They may truncate the text for ‘links pointing at this page’, but I doubt that this means they ‘ignore’ the other characters.

]]> By: IT Support London http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14082 IT Support London Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:40:50 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14082 That's part of the fun being a seo - it's all experimentation :) That’s part of the fun being a seo – it’s all experimentation :)

]]> By: Why Is Marketing Research Important? http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14081 Why Is Marketing Research Important? Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:21:32 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14081 You've performed an interesting test, but it appears you still have more questions. That's usually the case with research. Every answer brings more questions while moving you closer to truth. Research is important. And Internet marketers who do the most research seem to be the most successful. Warmly, Linda P. Morton You’ve performed an interesting test, but it appears you still have more questions.

That’s usually the case with research. Every answer brings more questions while moving you closer to truth.

Research is important. And Internet marketers who do the most research seem to be the most successful.

Warmly,

Linda P. Morton

]]> By: swirleigh (Leighanne Stainer) http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-16560 swirleigh (Leighanne Stainer) Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:02:42 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-16560 Keep anchor text links under 55 characters Keep anchor text links under 55 characters

]]> By: Shaun http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14078 Shaun Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:59:48 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14078 Thanks Ann :) Other people may have different thoughts and findings - hope they share :) @Brent thanks for the comment. I like to keep it natural as possible, but by keeping keywords within the first 55 characters, it may be you are ensuring anchor text power in a link :) Thanks Ann :) Other people may have different thoughts and findings – hope they share :)

@Brent thanks for the comment. I like to keep it natural as possible, but by keeping keywords within the first 55 characters, it may be you are ensuring anchor text power in a link :)

]]> By: Brent http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14077 Brent Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:39:02 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14077 I always like to front load my titles with the keywords and this just justifies it a little more. Thanks for the info. I always like to front load my titles with the keywords and this just justifies it a little more. Thanks for the info.

]]> By: Ann Smarty http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14076 Ann Smarty Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:00:02 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14076 Sounds like a bug :) Thanks for publishing the test results! Sounds like a bug :)

Thanks for publishing the test results!

]]> By: Shaun http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14074 Shaun Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:49:25 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14074 Thanks Brian. Thought it might be useful to share and get some feedback :) Thanks Brian. Thought it might be useful to share and get some feedback :)

]]> By: Brian http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/index.php/anchor-text-length/#comment-14073 Brian Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:29:07 +0000 http://www.hobo-web.co.uk/seo-blog/?p=399#comment-14073 Killer, Shaun. Thanks for the test and the results! :-) Brian Killer, Shaun. Thanks for the test and the results! :-)

Brian

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