When it comes to Google SERPs, being able to show up on the first page is getting more and more challenging. Google keeps changing and tweaking the rules. Today, if you want to be successful, you have to keep up with what’s going on.
If you engage in link building for your website, making sure you abide by Google’s rules is essential to achieve success and avoid consequences. Even if you remain up to date about what you should and should not do, you may still make a few of the most common mistakes. The best way to avoid these is by knowing what they are.
Excessive Use of Exact Anchor Text Links
If you engage in SEO and link building practices, it is probably par for the course to worry about exact match keywords in your text anchors. However, if you start doing this too much, you may be penalized, and your rank will fall.
Due to the problem with exact match anchor text links, Google released an update specifically targeted to handle these. In the past, standard practice was to use an exact match rate of approximately 30% to 50%. Today, these numbers have fallen significantly, and going over five percent may mean trouble.
Not Using Semantic Keyword Anchor Text Links
If you want to avoid using an excessive number of exact-match anchor text links, take time to figure out how to use semantic keywords. These are not just synonyms of specific phrases. The semantic keywords will extend into the different ways the word is used.
The main reason to use semantic keywords is for helping search engines, such as Google, to figure out how the keywords are being used. Generous use of semantic keywords can help Google figure this out.
Once you begin creating links using semantic keywords, you will notice your rank in SERPs goes up.
Not Enough Junk Anchors Being Used
Believe it or not, junk anchors on your website can be a good thing.
A junk anchor is the type of text links that can be used virtually anywhere on the internet and include things like “buy now,” “read more,” and “click here.” According to Google and other search engines, junk anchors look natural. What’s even more important is that it’s impossible to stop using them when creating your calls to action.
Using junk anchors carefully in your content can help provide you with higher conversion rates. You can also use other types of junk anchors, such as “Tweet this post,” or “Like this post.”
Don’t Underestimate the Benefits of Using the Right Link Building Tactics
If you want to ensure that you achieve the best results from your link building tactics, be sure to keep the mistakes here in mind. Avoiding the most common mistakes is the best way to achieve the results you want and need. In some cases, using the help of a professional will reduce the likelihood of errors in your link building strategy and efforts.
By, Peter Roesler, President of Small Business SEO. 25+ years in marketing! Yippee.
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