I found this on http://www.seomoz.org/seo-expert-quiz/ After answering the quiz, I got this answer wrong: # #3 When linking to external websites, a good strategy to move up in the rankings is to use the keywords you're attempting to rank for on that page as the anchor text of the external-pointing links. For example, if you were attempting to rank a page for the phrase "hulk smash" you would want to use that phrase, "hulk smash" as the anchor text of a link pointing to a web page on another domain. Your Answer: True Correct Answer: False The biggest problem with linking out to other websites with your targeted keyword phrases in the anchor text is that it creates additional competition for your page in the search results, as you give relevance through anchor text and link juice to a competing page on a competing site. Thus, FALSE is the correct answer. ---------------------------- I've always used anchor texts when getting back links from other sites. This answer says this is wrong. Is this right or wrong?
I like to know this too. If I put an anchor text with a link SE bot should follow the link. Now question is SE would give credit to which website?
I think the correct answer is actually True. Anchor text is very important. With the use of anchor text + backlinks, I now rank on the first page of Google, whereas before I was in the hundreds for my search terms.
If you read carefully, it is saying not to use your own keywords as anchor text for site you are linking to from your own site. That way you dont create relevant competition to your own site. But for your backlinks, backlinks to your site, do use relevant keywords as anchor.
I think the credit would go to the linked site, not the site with the link. For example, I use keywords such as "web hosting", "hosting", "hosting mexico", for wich I rank very well at google.com.mx Any credit the page with the link will get is minimun.
When linking out, use the anchor text that will describe the other site well, unless he/she is a direct competitor. Then you might want to think twice about giving a competitor such a boost. But the backlinks most of us are concerned with are inbound links to our sites from other sites. In that case, absolutely yes, use anchor text that is selected from among the keywords that you are trying to emphasize on your page to which the link is pointing. This is a powerful technique, and I have used it to move many keywords onto Google's first page.
As Camay and Jim have mentioned before, the question asks you whether you would link to them with the anchor phrase that you want to rank for. By linking to them with that keyword, you are obviously giving them a boost ( an endorsement that they deserve to rank for that keyword). If you wish to rank for it, why would you want to shoot yourself in the foot .....
anchor text is very important in my opinion because google gives importance to it and this helps in better ranking in search engines.
Anchor text is also useful to target misspellings of words you don't want on your webpage but do want to rank for ie "Christmas" and "Xmas" - having Xmas on your webpage would look unprofessional, but a few hyperlinks with the Xmas keyphrase will mean you'll rank better for the term anyway.
The question is somehow confusing to me but after reading the seomoz quiz, I think it's obvious. The real problem is when you do some link exchange with other relevant sites. Some perhaps are targeting similar if not the same keywords.
Ok, this is how I understand this: Lets say I want a backlink for a site. something like webhostingdirectories.com there, I will post my backlink with the anchor text "best web hosting". They will get some boost for the keyword appearing in their site. However, remember this backlink points to a different site (mine in this case). I will get some bust for the backlink to my site with the anchor text. IMHO, my link will get a higher boost, because the links is pointing to my site.