Link Building

Anchor Text Analyzer

/anchor-audit

Analyze your anchor text distribution for over-optimization risks. Checks the ratio of exact-match, partial-match, branded, and generic anchor text across your backlink profile.

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curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ccforseo/seo-skills/main/install.sh | bash

Or install this skill manually:

$ git clone https://github.com/ccforseo/seo-skills.git
$ cp -r seo-skills/anchor-text-analyzer ~/.claude/skills/anchor-text-analyzer
View on GitHubFree · MIT License · 8 skills included

What it does

The Anchor Text Analyzer skill evaluates the anchor text distribution across your backlink profile. It categorizes anchors as exact-match, partial-match, branded, generic, URL, or image alt text and compares your distribution against safe ratios. Over-optimized anchor text profiles (too many exact-match anchors) can trigger algorithmic penalties, and this skill identifies that risk before it affects rankings.

Key features

  • Categorizes anchor text into six distribution types
  • Compares your distribution against safe ratio benchmarks
  • Flags over-optimization risk for specific keywords
  • Analyzes anchor text trends over time
  • Generates anchor text diversification recommendations

How to use Anchor Text Analyzer

  1. Run the command

    Type /anchor-audit with your domain. The skill pulls your backlink data and categorizes every anchor text by type.

  2. Review the distribution

    The output shows a breakdown of anchor text types with percentages and comparison to safe ratios. Keywords with over-optimized anchor profiles are flagged.

  3. Diversify where needed

    For flagged keywords, the skill recommends target ratios and suggests anchor text variations to use in future link building efforts.

When to use it

Checking anchor text before starting a new link building campaign

Diagnosing ranking drops potentially caused by anchor text penalties

Monitoring anchor text ratios during ongoing link acquisition

Auditing anchor text after acquiring a domain or merging sites

Frequently asked questions

What is a healthy anchor text ratio?

A natural profile typically has 30-40% branded anchors, 20-30% generic and URL anchors, 15-25% partial-match, and under 10% exact-match keyword anchors. The exact safe ratio varies by niche, and the skill adjusts benchmarks based on competitor analysis.

Can anchor text over-optimization cause a Google penalty?

Yes. Google's Penguin algorithm targets manipulative anchor text patterns. An unnatural concentration of exact-match keyword anchors signals artificial link building. The skill identifies keywords at risk before penalties occur.

How do I fix over-optimized anchor text?

You cannot change anchor text on external sites you do not control. Focus future link building on branded and natural anchors to dilute the over-optimized ratio. For links you control (guest posts, profiles), update them to more natural variations.

Should I worry about anchor text from nofollow links?

Nofollow links pass limited to no link equity, so their anchor text has minimal impact on optimization signals. The skill tracks nofollow anchors separately. Focus optimization efforts on your dofollow anchor text distribution.

Related skills

Link Building

Backlink Profile Analyzer

/backlink-audit

Analyze your site's backlink profile for quality, diversity, and risk. Scores referring domains by authority, identifies anchor text patterns, and flags potentially harmful links.

Link Building

Toxic Link Audit

/toxic-links

Identify and evaluate potentially toxic backlinks that could harm your rankings. Generates a disavow file for confirmed harmful links with risk scoring per link.

Link Building

Competitor Backlink Finder

/comp-backlinks

Discover where competitors earn their backlinks. Find link sources you can replicate or outperform with better content, outreach, or partnerships.

Link Building

Link Intersection Finder

/link-intersect

Find domains that link to two or more competitors but not to you. These are your highest-probability link building targets since they already link to similar sites.

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