How to Generate Natural SEO Comments That Actually Work

The 70–20–10 Rule: Why a balanced anchor text profile is your best defense against penalties and your secret weapon for stronger rankings.

What Exactly Is Anchor Text?

In simple terms, anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink that leads you to another page.

For example:

• Want to learn more? Click here. (Anchor text = “Click here”)
• Check out this guide on search engine optimization. (Anchor text = “search engine optimization”)

In HTML, it’s the part between the <a> tags. SEO strategist Nathan Gotch puts it clearly:

“The term anchor text applies to all hyperlinks — internal and external.”

So whether you’re linking from one page of your own site to another (internal linking) or getting a backlink from another domain (external linking), anchor text is always in play.

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Why External Anchor Text Can Make or Break Your SEO

Here’s the hard truth: Google uses thousands of ranking signals, but few are as risky as anchor text over-optimization.

Nathan Gotch’s research shows that backlinks — links pointing from other websites to yours — are where anchor text gets dangerous. A skewed anchor text ratio is one of the top causes of sudden ranking drops and manual penalties.

That’s why, when diagnosing a penalty or big traffic dip, most SEO pros audit anchor text distribution before anything else.

By contrast, internal anchor text carries far less penalty risk. You can (and should) still use keyword-relevant anchors inside your own site for user navigation and topical clarity, but you don’t need to worry about “percentages” the same way you do with backlinks.

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The 7 Types of External Anchor Text

To manage your backlink profile intelligently, you need to recognize the different types of anchors:

1. Branded Anchors – Your brand name, e.g., Gotch SEO Academy or YourCompany.
2. Generic Anchors – Neutral terms like click here, read more, this website.
3. Naked URL Anchors – The raw link itself, like yourwebsite.com.
4. Image Anchors – When an image is linked, the alt text becomes the anchor.
5. Brand + Keyword Anchors – A mix, such as YourCompany SEO services.
6. Keyword Variations – Synonyms or long-tail versions of your target keyword.
7. Exact Match Anchors – The pure target keyword, e.g., SEO tools.

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The Trap: Why Over-Optimization Backfires

Here’s the classic mistake:

Say your homepage target keyword is SEO tools. You get 10 backlinks from different sites — but every single one uses exactly the same anchor text: SEO tools.

At first glance, it looks powerful. In reality, it’s a red flag.

Why it’s dangerous:

• Unnatural patterns – In the real world, people don’t all link to you using the identical keyword. Google’s algorithms can spot this “manufactured” footprint instantly.
• Signals manipulation – Too many exact matches scream “link scheme.” That’s one of the fastest ways to earn a penalty.
• Google doesn’t need it anymore – Since 2019, patents around “annotation text” confirm that Google also interprets surrounding context, not just the anchor itself.

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The Safer Path: Natural & Varied Anchor Text

So what does a healthy anchor text distribution look like?

Using the SEO tools example again, here’s a natural mix across 10 backlinks:

• “Your Brand Name” (branded)
• “Click here for details” (generic)
• “yourwebsite.com” (naked URL)
• “Check out these SEO software reviews” (keyword variation)
• “Your Brand’s SEO tools” (brand + keyword)
• [Image link] alt text = “screenshot of SEO software” (image anchor)
• “SEO tools” (exact match)
• “Professional SEO analysis tools” (keyword variation)
• “This company” (generic)
• “Latest SEO tools you should try” (keyword variation)

Notice how exact match is just one small piece of the pie.

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Anchor Text Cycling: A Framework That Works

Nathan Gotch recommends a “cycling” approach to keep your profile safe:

1. Lead with brand and naked URLs

   • 40–50% branded anchors
   • 20–30% naked URLs
   • This builds the safest foundation.

2. Sprinkle in generic anchors

   • 10–20% generic phrases (click here, learn more).

3. Use keywords sparingly

   • 5–10% keyword variations
   • Just 1–5% exact match keywords

4. Keep it dynamic

   • Avoid many similar anchors in a short time.
   • Aim for steady, natural growth.
   • Monitor distribution regularly.

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Pro Tip: Automate Natural-Looking Comments to Support Your Backlink Profile

Managing anchor text is only part of the backlink puzzle. When submitting links to directories, forums, or niche sites, the context around your link matters just as much as the anchor itself.

That’s where BacklinkHelper comes in. It’s a free Chrome extension built for SEO professionals and site owners. One of its standout features is:

👉 Generate Natural SEO Comments – BacklinkHelper automatically creates unique, context-relevant comments for each submission by blending your site’s content with the target page’s SEO signals. This ensures that every comment feels natural, human-written, and aligned with Google’s quality guidelines.

• 🌐 Website: backlinkhelper.com
• ⬇️ Chrome Extension: Download BacklinkHelper

Using a tool like this doesn’t just save time — it also helps you build a backlink profile that looks natural and passes Google’s sniff test.

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Final Thoughts

Anchor text is one of the most powerful — and most dangerous — aspects of SEO. Mismanage it, and your rankings can collapse overnight. Get it right, and you’ll enjoy sustainable growth.

The formula is simple:

• Rely on brand names and naked URLs.
• Add generic anchors for natural variation.
• Use keyword variations strategically.
• Reserve exact match anchors for rare, high-quality opportunities.

And if you want to make your backlink submissions both faster and safer, consider trying BacklinkHelper. With automated natural comments and smart SEO assistance, it helps you stay focused on strategy — not repetitive manual work.

Above all, remember: Google rewards profiles that look and feel natural. Diversity is your insurance policy.

Handle anchor text with care, and it can become a long-term asset instead of a ticking time bomb.