Does the page title keyword count in anchor text when link is web address?

[Ron10]

If someone links to my plumbing site with this link as the anchor text:

http://www.plumbers.com/austin-plumbers.html

does the key phrase "austin plumbers" get counted in the anchor text by google or is this a sample of anchor text that google ignores?

Thanks mozzers!

Ron

[Chris.Menke]

Those words in the URL can add some relevance to the link but I suspect it's not much.  You're not likely to get a whole lot of links like that, though.

[Branagan]

Sure it counts, that's one of the reasons that give value to keyword rich domain names, people tend to link using the URL as anchor text, and in this case they would be using your targeted keyword (besides having it in every URL).

Check here for more info: http://www.seochat.com/c/a/google-optimization-help/keywords-in-domain-and-links-as-google-ranking-factors/

[Chris.Menke]

You always gotta pay attention to posts like that.  Personally, if an SEO-related post isn't dated, I don't pay attention to it.  In the case of this undated post on seochat, you can see that it's referencing Rand's post of 2011 which put's it way, way out of date, or at least, it's referencing very old material.  However, if you look at the big graphic on the referenced Rand Fishkin post of 2011, it is making a prediction of the future of search and in it, you'll see that, he was predicting that as a ranking factor, the value of kewords in the URL would drop significantly.

I think most SEO's who are up to date with their info would agree that the value anchor text in links like you describe is diminishing in value and looking into the future, you're better of not making widespread use of it.

[Branagan]

The article is quoted as a resource for the op to catch up on the subject, and since Seomoz's Ranking Factors edition is biennial, 2011's edition is the closest we've got.

And sure external link's anchors and URL keywords importance has declined over time, but they still are heavy ranking factors (not even Cutts would deny that ;).

[underscorelive]

I think everybody has made valid points. I would suggest what you need to take away from the discussion is this:

• Google is placing more and more focus on natural links - therefor there are some SEOs suggesting that anchor text 'Click here' or 'www.domain.com' holds more authority than 'PLUMBING PLUMBERS PLUMB'. Extreme example... but you see my point
• It's true that keywords in domains are getting less and less emphasis, partly to combat keyword stuffing in URLs but predominantly because there's no reason why www.chris.com should be any less of a plumbing authority than www.plumbing.com.

Alas, I'm rambling... the keywords in that particular anchor text wont do a great deal assuming modern theories are correct, but using the URL as the anchor text appears natural and will have positive influence.

Like all SEO, these are just opinions though! good luck

[Perfect007]

Yes, Its count. I remember once Matt had explained about (-) and (_) in to the URL formation. It means there is something for URL formation. It's also true by logic of search engines.