Should I request backlinks to use anchor text that is page specific?

[LAJN]

I work for a community college, with fairly high seo for the college in general. We have no budget for advertising specific programs, so we are trying to optimize individual pages on the website, e.g., physical therapy assistant, welding, etc. Does it make a difference if other websites use our main url, college name, or the college name plus specific program as the anchor text?

Also, I'm seeing some posts here recommending to avoid lots of directory listings. I assume that doesn't apply to industry specific directories, like nursing school directories, right?

I'm still a very new newbie and appreciate your advice.

[eyepaq]

Hi,

I would always go with a link that I am not able to influence the anchor text - that is what Google can calla  natural link.

If you start optimizing anchor texts you will end up with an un-natural link profile and it can backfire.

Ask for a link, but let them decide how to implement it - you will end up with a health link profile in this way.

As for the directories - there are only a few that can be considered ok. Specific directories could be good as long as are not made for SEO. If you go with a submit ion make sure you assess the directory first: if it's under penalty, if you do get any value for that link (ref feral or/and SEO value and mor importantly what are your neighbors - other links hosted on the directory). Some time however doing the assessment in order toe tay safe can result in a negative ROI with the time spent on it. But if you don't really have other options it can be a good place to start. Again, don't over do it - have a good , low ratio of directory links.

One last thing about directories: if they let you choose an anchor text for the link - don't use that directory It's a made for SEO one and even if it's not penalized now - it will in the future.:)

Hope it helps as a general overview.

[LAJN]

Thanks! It is ok to ask them to link to a specific page, though, right? So for instance, if we find a site with info about how to become a firefighter, we could ask them to link directly to our fire training program. That would help our seo of that specific page, wouldn't it?

[eyepaq]

Sure. It make sense. You can and should suggest the page and yes, that will channel the Page Rank to that page so it will bring the needed SEO value.

Google is on a big crusade right now related with links - you just need to be careful not to overdo anything (over optimization and so on) but if you keep everything in a natural way - you are safe no matter what.