Can I use this to audit my backlink profile?

If you can get the HTML with your backlinks, yes. Export your backlink data from Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console, paste the relevant HTML section, and this tool categorizes all anchor texts. For CSV-based analysis, copy the anchor column into a text processor first.

What's a healthy exact-match anchor percentage?

For external backlinks, Google has stated that over 5-10% exact match is a flag. For internal links, 20-30% exact match is fine. The key is diversity — if one type dominates your profile, that's the signal to act on.

Does anchor text still matter in 2025/2026?

Absolutely. Google uses anchor text as a relevance signal for the linked page. While they've gotten better at understanding context beyond the anchor, a page with 1,000 external links all saying 'buy cheap loans' sends an unmistakably strong (and now suspicious) signal.

Why are some links showing as "other"?

Anchors that don't match branded/generic/naked/image patterns and don't contain your target keyword default to "other" — descriptive text that isn't specifically keyword-targeted. This is actually the healthiest category for both backlinks and internal links.

SEO Analysis

Anchor Text Analyzer

Paste any page's HTML to audit all anchor text. Categorizes links as branded, exact match, partial match, generic, naked URL, or image links. Shows diversity score and full breakdown.

How to use this tool3 quick steps

Get the page HTML
View Source on the page and copy everything, OR paste a fragment containing <a> tags.
Paste below
We extract every anchor text and group by exact match — surfacing how diverse your linking patterns are.
Spot patterns
Over-optimization (same exact-match anchor used dozens of times) is a Penguin-era signal. Aim for natural diversity.

InputHTML + brand + keyword· Brand and keyword help classification

Brand name

Used to identify branded anchors (optional).

Target keyword

Used to find exact/partial match anchors (optional).

OutputAnchor text analysis· Awaiting input

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Anchor Text Guide

Anchor text diversity: the most over-optimized signal in SEO

Google Penguin (2012) specifically targeted websites with unnatural anchor text profiles — too many exact-match backlinks. Over-optimized anchor text is still a Penguin penalty trigger. But anchor text analysis applies to internal links too: how you anchor your own internal links affects how Google understands your site structure.

The 7 anchor text types

Branded (contains your brand name), Exact match (precise target keyword), Partial match (contains target keyword), Generic ("click here", "read more"), Naked URL (the URL itself as text), Image (image inside the link), Other (descriptive but not keyword-targeted).

Natural backlink anchor distribution

A natural backlink profile is ~50% branded/naked URL, ~30% other/descriptive, ~15% partial/topic-related, and only ~5% exact match. Sites with 40%+ exact match anchors are Penguin risk. Use this to audit your backlink HTML exports.

Internal link anchors

For internal links, exact match anchors are fine and actually help Google understand what a page is about. But 90% exact match internal anchors looks suspicious. Mix in 'learn more about X', topic-descriptive anchors, and branded anchors.

Generic anchors as a signal

"Click here" and "read more" anchors pass no topical context. If a significant portion of your site's internal links use generic anchors, you're missing internal linking SEO opportunities. Replace with descriptive anchors.

Image links need alt text

When an image is inside a link, the alt attribute of the image becomes the anchor text for SEO purposes. Missing alt text means Google sees a blank anchor. This tool flags image links so you can verify their alt attributes.

Auditing a backlink export

Export your backlinks from Ahrefs or SEMrush as HTML or paste the anchor text column into a text analysis. Use this tool to categorize. If exact match exceeds 10% of your link profile, consider a disavow review.

Pro Tips

Enter your brand name and target keyword

Fill in the brand name and target keyword fields before pasting HTML — they're used to categorize branded and exact/partial match anchors. Without them, all anchors show as "other".

Audit competitor internal linking

Paste a high-ranking competitor's page HTML and check how they anchor their internal links. Their anchor text choices are a reverse-engineered keyword strategy guide.

Diversity score above 60 is healthy

The diversity score rewards using multiple anchor types. Below 40 means you're over-concentrated on one type (often generic or exact match). Aim for at least 4 different anchor types across the page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this to audit my backlink profile?: If you can get the HTML with your backlinks, yes. Export your backlink data from Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console, paste the relevant HTML section, and this tool categorizes all anchor texts. For CSV-based analysis, copy the anchor column into a text processor first.
What's a healthy exact-match anchor percentage?: For external backlinks, Google has stated that over 5-10% exact match is a flag. For internal links, 20-30% exact match is fine. The key is diversity — if one type dominates your profile, that's the signal to act on.
Does anchor text still matter in 2025/2026?: Absolutely. Google uses anchor text as a relevance signal for the linked page. While they've gotten better at understanding context beyond the anchor, a page with 1,000 external links all saying 'buy cheap loans' sends an unmistakably strong (and now suspicious) signal.
Why are some links showing as "other"?: Anchors that don't match branded/generic/naked/image patterns and don't contain your target keyword default to "other" — descriptive text that isn't specifically keyword-targeted. This is actually the healthiest category for both backlinks and internal links.