Anchor text – the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink – significantly influences how search engines like Google.com.au understand your website’s content and ranking. As of early 2026, a balanced approach combining branded, generic, and keyword-rich anchor text is crucial for optimising your online visibility.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) Focus: Current systems include advanced NLP algorithms that penalise overly optimised or repetitive anchor text. Google now features sophisticated detection of manipulative link schemes.
- Branded Anchor Text: Using your business name as anchor text (e.g., “ROI.com.au”) is safe and builds brand recognition.
- Generic Anchor Text: Phrases like “click here”, “read more”, or “visit website” are acceptable in moderation, but offer limited SEO value.
- Keyword-Rich Anchor Text: Incorporating relevant keywords (e.g., “Sydney digital marketing agency”) can boost rankings, but must be used sparingly and naturally.
In 2026, Australian businesses need to be particularly mindful of Google’s evolving algorithms and the Australian Consumer Law regarding misleading or deceptive conduct. Over-optimisation can be flagged as ‘keyword stuffing’ and negatively impact your search performance. Furthermore, ensuring anchor text accurately reflects the linked page’s content is vital for user experience and maintaining trust with your audience.
Instead of navigating these technical complexities and risking penalties, let ROI.com.au handle your link building and anchor text strategy. We can take care of all this for you.
