How to Add Anchor Links in WordPress Easily

Ever wished your readers could jump straight to the section they need on your WordPress page? Anchor links make it easy—saving visitors time and giving your content a more professional, user-friendly feel.

Whether you’re building a detailed guide or a lengthy FAQ, knowing how to add anchor links helps keep things organized and accessible. In this article, you’ll find clear steps and practical tips to add anchor links to your WordPress site, no coding expertise required.

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How to Add Anchor Links in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Anchor links—sometimes called jump links—are a powerful and easy way to improve navigation within your WordPress posts and pages. If you’ve ever clicked a link that smoothly jumps you to a specific section on a web page, you’ve already seen anchor links in action. They’re especially helpful for lengthy articles, FAQs, or documentation, making your content much more user-friendly.

Let’s break down the process of creating and using anchor links in WordPress. You’ll find practical methods, expert tips, common challenges, and answers to frequently asked questions right here.

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What Are Anchor Links?

Anchor links are hyperlinks that move users to a specific part of the same page or another page. They work by linking to an HTML element marked with a unique ID within the page content. When a user clicks an anchor link, the browser scrolls directly to the section with that ID.

Why Use Anchor Links?

• Improved User Experience: Easier page navigation keeps visitors engaged.
• Better Organization: Great for long-form content, helping users find the information they need quickly.
• Enhanced SEO: Well-structured content with internal navigation can contribute to better search engine rankings.

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The Two-Part Anatomy of Anchor Links

Think of anchor links as having two essential parts:

1. The Anchor (Target): The place in your content where users will “jump” to. This spot is marked with a unique HTML ID.
2. The Link (Trigger): The clickable text or button which, when clicked, scrolls visitors to the anchor.

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How to Add Anchor Links in WordPress

Let’s walk through the process, whether you’re using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg), Classic Editor, or even working with page builders.

Method 1: Using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg)

The Block Editor makes adding anchor links straightforward, especially for headings.

Step 1: Add an Anchor (ID) to a Heading Block

1. Select the Heading block you want as your anchor.
2. In the right sidebar (Block settings), find the “Advanced” section.
3. In the “HTML Anchor” field, type a unique word or phrase with no spaces (e.g., my-section).
4. Example: If you enter features, WordPress creates an anchor named features.

Step 2: Create the Anchor Link

1. Highlight the text you want as a link (e.g., “See Features”).
2. Click the link button in the toolbar.
3. Type the anchor as #features (make sure it matches the ID you set).
4. Press Enter or click Apply.

Now, when users click your link, they’ll jump straight to your designated section!

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Method 2: Using the Classic Editor

Older WordPress sites or certain plugins may still use the Classic Editor. The concept is the same, but you’ll add anchors with a bit of HTML.

Step 1: Add an Anchor (ID) in the HTML View

1. Switch to the “Text” (HTML) tab of the editor.
2. Insert an ID attribute to the element you want as your anchor:
   html
Features
3. If you want to anchor to a paragraph or another element, you can do the same:
   html
Our Pricing Details...

Step 2: Create the Anchor Link

1. Highlight the text for your link.
2. Click the Insert/edit link button.
3. Enter #features or #pricing as the URL.
4. Save your changes.

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Method 3: Adding Anchor Links with Page Builders

Popular builders like WPBakery, Elementor, and others often have their own, more visual way of managing anchor links.

Example: Using WPBakery Page Builder

1. Add the “Scroll To ID” or “Anchor” element where you want to jump to.
2. Assign a unique ID in its settings.
3. Add a Button or Text element elsewhere, and add your anchor as #yourid as the link.

Each page builder may have different steps, but the logic is always the same: mark the spot with an ID, and link to it using a # followed by that ID.

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Method 4: Creating Anchors in Menus for Page Jumps

Anchor links aren’t limited to in-page links—they work in WordPress menus as well.

1. Go to Appearance > Menus.
2. Add a “Custom Link.”
3. For the URL, type the anchor with # (e.g., #faq).
4. Label it (e.g., “FAQ”).
5. Save the menu.

Now, when users select that menu item, they’ll jump straight to that section.

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Practical Tips & Best Practices

• Use Descriptive IDs: Clear, short, and relevant IDs make editing easier and reduce errors (e.g., features, not section1).
• No Spaces: Use hyphens if needed, but avoid spaces (e.g., about-us).
• Check for Typos: Make sure the ID matches between the anchor and your link, or the jump won’t work.
• Smooth Scrolling: Some themes or plugins add smooth scrolling effects for a sleek user experience—look for “Scroll Effect” options if you want this feature.
• Multiple Anchors: You can add several anchors to help users jump between sections, especially in FAQs or lengthy guides.

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Benefits of Using Anchor Links

• Easier Navigation: Helps readers find exactly what they’re looking for without endless scrolling.
• Professional Look: Well-organized pages feel modern and user-focused.
• Supports Long-Form Content: Essential for posts with detailed explanations, product comparisons, or documentation.
• Improves Mobile Experience: Jump straight to information on small screens.

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Common Challenges

• No Jump? Double-check that your IDs and link URLs match exactly (they’re case-sensitive).
• Malfunction in Preview: Sometimes, anchors don’t work in the editor’s preview but function correctly on the live site. Always test live!
• Theme or Plugin Conflicts: Rarely, some themes or plugins might override anchor link behavior. Consider deactivating problematic plugins if issues arise.
• Header Overlap: Fixed headers may hide the section after jumping. You might need custom CSS to offset the scroll position.

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Advanced Tips

• Link to Anchors on Other Pages: Use full URLs (e.g., https://yoursite.com/about/#team).
• Add Anchor IDs to Any Section: Not just headings—you can add anchors to divs, paragraphs, or other elements for more fine-grained control.
• Accessibility: Use headings properly (H2, H3, etc.) and descriptive link text for screen readers.

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Cost Tips

• Anchor links are free! WordPress includes anchor functionality built-in, so there is no need to pay for plugins for basic use.
• Premium Page Builders: If you want fancy scroll effects or extra styling, some themes or builders might offer paid upgrades, but basic anchor links work with all versions.
• No Shipping Fees: Since this is a feature related to your website’s navigation and not a product, there’s no shipping or extra fees involved.

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Conclusion

Anchor links are one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to enhance your WordPress site’s navigation and user experience. They’re easy to set up, work in posts and pages, and are supported by all modern themes and editors. Whether you’re writing a detailed guide, sharing a FAQ, or just want to help users find the right spot quickly, anchor links are the tool you need. With the steps and tips in this guide, you’ll be adding jump links to your content in no time.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I create an anchor link in WordPress without plugins?
To create an anchor link without plugins, add a unique HTML anchor (ID) to the section you want to jump to. Then create a link elsewhere using the #your-anchor-id format. Both Gutenberg and Classic Editor support this, either through settings or the HTML tab.

Can I use anchor links in WordPress menus?
Yes! Just add a custom link to your menu, using the anchor (like #pricing) as the URL. When visitors click the menu item, they’ll jump to the relevant section on the page.

Why aren’t my anchor links working?
Common reasons include mismatched IDs, typos, or theme/plugin conflicts. Make sure the anchor ID and link exactly match, and check if any plugins or theme features disable JavaScript or change scrolling behavior.

Will anchor links affect my site’s SEO?
Anchor links can improve SEO by helping search engines understand your content structure and improving user experience. They won’t hurt your SEO if used properly.

Can I use anchor links to jump to sections on other pages?
Absolutely! Just use the full URL followed by the anchor (e.g., https://example.com/page/#section). As long as the target page has a matching anchor ID, the browser will scroll there.

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With anchor links, you’re equipped to create a smooth, professional, and visitor-friendly WordPress experience!