ANCHOR TEXT CHECKER
An anchor text checker that writes the fix for every link
Digimetrics Anchor Text Cleaner is an anchor text checker that reads every link on a page, flags anchors that are generic, broken or over-optimised for the keyword you want to rank for, and writes out the fix for each one. Each page takes 15 seconds to 1.5 minutes.
- 15 seconds to 1.5 minutes
- Free for 7 days
- No card needed
Updated 23 October 2026
The short answer
- Anchor text is the clickable wording of a link; it tells readers and Google what the linked page is about.
- Anchor Text Cleaner counts every link on one page and flags the generic, broken and over-optimised ones.
- You enter the page URL and the keyword it should rank for; each problem link comes back with a written fix.
- One check takes under 1.5 minutes, and the 7-day free trial lets you check many pages.
- Run it on your most important pages first: home, top services and the page you most want to rank.
WHAT YOU GET BACK
What the anchor text check returns
- Link countEvery link on the page
- ProblemsGeneric, broken or over-optimised anchors
- FixWritten out for each link
From the official tutorial38 links, four problems; one exact phrase repeated on nine links was over-optimised. (Sample brand “Brightpath”.)
HOW IT WORKS
How to check anchor text in three steps
- 1
Paste the page URL
Pick a page that matters: a service page, a category page or a long guide with lots of internal links.
- 2
Add the keyword it should rank for
The tool uses it to spot anchors that repeat that exact phrase too often, and anchors that miss the point.
- 3
Apply the written fixes
Each problem link comes with replacement wording. Change the text in your editor, fix broken URLs and re-run to confirm.
Takes 15 seconds to 1.5 minutes. Included on every plan.
What is anchor text analysis, and why does it matter?
Anchor text analysis checks the clickable words in each link for clarity and balance. Google says good anchor text is descriptive, reasonably concise and relevant to both pages.
Links do two jobs. They move readers to the next useful page, and they tell search engines what that page is about. A link reading “click here” does neither. A link that stuffs the same keyword into every anchor reads as forced, and Google's link guidance reminds site owners that keyword stuffing is a violation of its spam policies.
Anchor Text Cleaner looks for both extremes on one page at a time. In the official tutorial's sample (fictional brand Brightpath), the page had 38 links and four problems; the worst was one exact phrase repeated on nine links, flagged as over-optimised. Our glossary explains anchor text in more detail.
The three anchor text problems the checker flags
Generic anchors, broken links and over-optimised anchors. Each has a different fix, and the report writes it out for you.
Here is what each problem looks like and what you would change.
| Problem | Example | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Generic anchor | “Click here”, “read more”, “this page” | Describe the destination, such as “emergency boiler repair pricing” |
| Broken link | Anchor points to a page that no longer exists | Update the URL or remove the link |
| Over-optimised anchor | The same exact keyword on many links | Vary the wording with natural, descriptive phrases |
Rule of thumb from Google: if it feels like you are forcing keywords into the anchor text, it is probably too much.
What is a healthy anchor text ratio?
There is no official ratio. Aim for anchors that read naturally: mostly descriptive phrases, some brand or page names, and the exact keyword only where it truly describes the destination.
Many blogs quote fixed percentages for exact-match anchors. Google has never published one, so treat those numbers as folklore. What matters is the pattern on the page: if a reader would notice the same phrase linked again and again, so will a search engine.
Anchor Text Cleaner judges each link against the keyword you entered and tells you which ones tip the balance. That turns anchor text optimization into a short edit list instead of a debate about percentages.
A quick test you can run yourself: read only the linked words on the page, top to bottom. If they would make sense as a list of destinations, your anchors are in good shape. If they read like the same keyword on repeat, or a string of “here” and “more”, run the checker and work through its fixes.
Internal link checker or backlink tool: which do you need?
Anchor Text Cleaner audits the links on your own page, internal and outbound. To review the anchors other sites use when linking to you, use a backlink tool.
Think of it as two directions. Links on your page (to your other pages and to outside sites) are fully under your control; this checker covers them and works as an internal link checker and outbound link checker in one pass. Links to your page from other websites are covered by the Backlink Checker, which lists referring domains and whether each link is dofollow.
If you want to find broken links across the whole site rather than one page, the Technical SEO Crawler crawls many pages at once. For a step-by-step method, our on-page SEO checklist covers linking alongside titles and headings.
Anchor Text Checker vs Semrush and Ahrefs for a small business
Large suites report anchors in bulk and leave the rewriting to you. Anchor Text Cleaner checks one page in under 1.5 minutes and hands back the replacement wording.
If you manage a big site with thousands of pages, a full-suite crawler gives you scale. If you run a small business site or a handful of client sites, a page-by-page check with written fixes is faster to act on and costs far less per use. After fixing anchors, rewrite the rest of the page with On-Page Optimisation, which benchmarks it against the top three results.
Digimetrics doesn't just flag SEO problems. It explains what's wrong and how to fix it. I'm saving hours on audits and getting clearer, more actionable insights without jumping between multiple tools.
QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure? Email support@digimetrics.ai and a person will reply.
What is the best anchor text checker in 2026?
One that checks every link on a page against the keyword you care about and tells you exactly what to change. Anchor Text Cleaner flags generic, broken and over-optimised anchors and writes a fix for each, in under 1.5 minutes a page.
Is there a free anchor text checker?
Your first checks are free: new Digimetrics accounts get every tool for 7 days with no card needed, which is time to check many pages.
Can too much exact-match anchor text hurt?
It can make links look forced, and Google's guidance says keyword stuffing violates its spam policies. In the tutorial sample, one phrase repeated on nine links was flagged as over-optimised.
Does it check internal and outbound links?
Yes. It reads every link on the page you enter, whether it points to your own pages or to other sites, and flags broken ones too.
Can I use it as an internal linking tool?
It audits existing links rather than suggesting new ones. Use it to clean up the links you have, then add new internal links with descriptive anchors to the pages you want to rank.
How long does an anchor text check take?
Between 15 seconds and 1.5 minutes per page.
Which pages should I check first?
Start with the pages that earn money or carry the most links: your home page, your main service or category pages, and long guides that link out a lot. Fix those, then re-run the check to confirm every flagged link is clean before moving on to the rest of the site.
Make every link say what it means.
Check your most important page free for 7 days, no card needed.