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Selective link priority occurs when Google detects multiple links to the same page with different anchors. In such cases, the search engine does not select all anchor texts, but only some of them for use in ranking.
While many people call it "first link priority," Google doesn't always choose the first link on a page for ranking.
Links play a key role in Google's algorithms, and the search engine evaluates them differently. In fact, when there are multiple links pointing to the same URL on the same page, Google won't necessarily use all the anchor texts. Instead, he can only choose one of them, which has implications for SEO.
Previously, it was believed that the first link on the page had priority. However, Google's algorithms may have changed over time, and we are now seeing a more complex mechanism for selecting anchor text.
Links are one of the most important factors affecting Google rankings. One of the main signals that a search engine considers when evaluating links is PageRank, which determines the importance of a page based on the number and quality of incoming links. Anchor text is also important because it helps Google understand what the page is about.
Our research has shown that using different anchor options for internal links can have a significant impact on page ranking. This is because the variety of anchors is a powerful signal to search engines.
Until a few years ago, Google explained that the PageRank for links to a single page was the same for all links, but since then the situation has changed. In particular, the search engine can choose only one link to convey weight and anchor text.
Matt Cutts, a former Google engineer, said that the algorithm only chose the first link to analyze, but as seen in recent updates, this process has become more flexible and can vary depending on the situation.
We used a variety of methods to test Google's link selection rules, including tests with multiple links to the same URL. Specifically, we analyzed which anchor texts were selected for indexing using reports in Google Search Console.
Our first test used an image link and a text link to the same URL. The results showed that Google indexed both anchors—the alt text of the image and the text link.
Conclusion: Google can count multiple anchor texts if at least one of the links is an image.
In the second test, we added two text links and an image link to the same URL. The results showed that Google only selected the first text link and the image link, ignoring the second text anchor.
Conclusion: Google may ignore the second text link, but it will always consider an image link if it is located after the text links.
The third test included four links to the same page with different anchors. The results confirmed that Google only selected the first text link and the image link, ignoring the others.
Conclusion: If you have multiple links, Google may only choose one of them to index, even if the image link is located at the end of the list.
Google warns that link selection may depend on many factors and the algorithm may change. For example, if a page has links in the navigation and body content, Google may choose the link from the body text instead of the navigation link. It is also important that images have unique alt texts so that they can be indexed as separate anchor texts.
While selective link priority may not have a big impact on your overall SEO strategy, there are a few important guidelines for internal linking:
Anchor choice is important, especially for internal links. Skillful use of anchors without overloading with optimization will help improve SEO results.
If you have any questions about website optimization or SEO strategy, write to the SEO studio "SEO COMPUTER" by email info@seo.computer.
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