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HYPERLINKS - ANCHOR TAG - HREF & NAME ATTRIBUTE

As already mentioned, the purpose of the BODY element of a HTML document is to define the actual visible document's content. BODY tag - Visible Copy - Body Text is considered essential for search engine optimization /marketing and targeted traffic.

HTML uses hyperlinks to create a link to other resources on the Internet: another HTML page, the same HTML page, an image, a sound file, a movie, etc.

HTML document source for this link:

Meta Tags Tutorial by Distinctia

shows:

<a href="http://seo-tutorial.distinctia.com/meta-tags-tutorial.html">Meta Tags Tutorial by Distinctia</a>

The name attribute is used to create a named anchor - links that can jump directly to a specific section on a page, instead of scroll around the page.

HTML document source for this link:

Improve Website Usability While Optimizing META Tags >>

shows:

<a href="http://e-marketing-tips.distinctia.com/editing-copywriting.html#meta">Improve Website Usability While Optimizing META Tags >> </a>

A hyperlink to the targeted section has a # sign and the name of the anchor at the end of an URL.

If a hyperlink to the targeted section from WITHIN this file (this webpage) is used:

Jump to the Top of This Page

the HTML code looks like this:

<a href="#BacktotheTop">Jump to the Top of This Paragraph</a>

Using Title attribute in Name and Anchor (A HREF and A NAME) tags is an important usability issue, as it helps users to predict where the link will lead, and what type of information could be expected, thus improving the website navigation.

If optimized with targeted keyphrases, the link title is also considered helpful for search engine optimization / marketing. Some search engines value the text in links and around them more important than the rest of the Body Text. The link text should be relevant to the destination of the link, and not used for unethical purpose of spamming the search engines.

Note that Google has implemented a new algorithm recently, and it looks like link text has less impact on rankings than before. Positive usability impact is well documented, so it should be used in any case.

Example

<a title="Jump to Image Tag and Alt Attribute" href="#Alt">Example</a>

An image could also be used as a link:

Note: When using both the Link Tittle and IMG Alt attribute, Alt text shows as the "tool tip". As one of the important usability issue is to use Link titles to inform the users in advance where the link leads to, in this case Alt text would have to include it along with the description of the image.

To avoid any similarity to spam, use both attributes only if it's necessary for your target audience. And even than try using helpful but different descriptions, and especially avoid overuse of targeted keyphrases. The HTML code looks like this:

<a title="design element" href="index.html"><img src="wine.gif" alt="Pink Square - Link to SEO Tutorial Home Page" width="40" height="40" align="left"></a>

but the Link title="design element" should be left out, as it has no positive impact on usability. Even if optimized for targeted keyphrases, the impact on higher rankings is extremely small if any, and it could be misidentified as spam by search engine spiders.

Also note that Google has implemented the new algorithm recently, and according to some search experts there is NO Alt attribute impact on rankings any more. Positive usability impact is well documented, and valid HTML code requires Alt attribute, so it should be used in any case.

Optimized and valid HTML code plays important part in achieving website relevancy, which is the ultimate goal in any search engine optimization campaign. Hyperlinks: Anchor Tag - Href & Name Attribute >>

User Oriented Design & Ethical Website Marketing Strategies by Distinctia, 2006