Content around the links

Do the words directly around the link matter?

Does it make a difference if they're also links?

Do the words directly around the link matter?

Yes

Does it make a difference if they're also links?

Yes, the less links the better IMO

I have never seen any evidence offered that the words directly around a link matter.

The theme relevance of the page matters. The links going into that page matter.

The testing I have seen done has not showed any evidence that words around the link directly matter. There is also little direct logic in the idea that words around the link matter. ie a sentence on a webpage that says “ I spilt dog food in my Toyota Prius” on a page about cars with ‘Toyata Prius’ being the link does not make the link of increased relevance to dogs.

The testing I have done myself does not show any improvement or effect what so ever that the page getting the link receives increased relevance to words other then the direct anchor text.

I think many believe this misconception because theme relevance of a linking page helps therefore the assumption is the text is of relevance and this relevance is transferred. It may be but the direct text near the link does not pass any benefit that can be measured.

Yes.. Google places great levels of importance on anchor texts in determining the value of a link. But it is the link path to the page that is of greater importance. Ie a link from a page that has lots of AT links with the word “dog food” will bring greater benefit even if the link says “click here” as compared to a link from a page that has no relevance to “dog food” even if it uses the AT “dog food”.

Would you share that "testing"?

I wouldn't mind seeing that testing too please, if you don't mind sharing gazzahk?

I do agree with what your saying gazzahk as I too think that as long as the page has relevant content on it should help, but I cant see the text directly around a link giving more help as people could use this to spaallsortsts so surely google would not use such an easy spam target to help seo!?

I don't understand what your asking about the links? Do you meant more links to the same page, should you be placing more links in with text, or should you be placing more of you text link (in content links) closer together?

I tried a rubbish/created word next to links (Pr 5 type links of 3 to 4)) and tested to see did the page rank for those words. It did not. Only the pages the words on ranked.

I cannot see why Google would pay attention to them. The English language does not make words close to each other relevant to each other. It depends on context. I believe Google classifies sites on basis on general site relevance and page relevance.

I think this is what matters. I have also never seen anyone post any evidence that supports it does make a difference. If it did it would be a measurable effect. ie it would move ranks.

You said you have "seen testing" and done some yourself. ok we have a single instance of your own testing on apparently 1 site. Do you have the testing you have seen Gaz?

Not trying to be a PITA just curious to see the evidence that text surrounding a link is of ZERO consequence.

With that said, I agree that the theme of the page / site / links pointing to it is of greater consequence than surrounding text, but I am not ready to throw out the text surrounding the AT as an element of SEO. Not without your hard evidence that it is useless anyway

I can not quote the testing as I really do not remember where I first read it. But it was similar to what I tried myself. The reason I ran the tests was I noticed a missspelt word on a range of text next to links I had (more then 10 times) so assumed it would have an influenee it did not.

There was a thread on here a while ago about this.

Anyway.. more to the point is there a single piece of testing that shows it matters... ie it moves SERPs.

I looked for this when this happened and could not find a single piece of evidence that shows it moves SERPs.

I can not also fathom why it would. It is not consistent with any measure of relevancy.

Thanks Gaz. I trust your opinions even if it is based on a feeling. however, I am going to stick with keeping my text surrounding the anchor relevant at least for now

Kernel I cant see it doing any harm so if you ain't 100% sure on if its helping why stop until you are

I do still agree with Gaz on this on though as I too cant see why this would help seo as its not going to make the page any more relevant tbh. I think I will just stick to keeping pages relevant and not worry too much about the words/text surrounding the AT.

Each to there own on this by the looks of it until people can come up with some hard evidence of which is the right theory I take it no one has any proof of this doing any harm/damage to a site?