Ever wished visitors could jump straight to the exact information they need on your WordPress page with a single click? Anchor links make that possible and keep your site user-friendly, especially on longer posts or FAQs. Knowing how to create anchor links saves visitors time and boosts engagement.
In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to adding anchor links in WordPress, plus practical tips for making them work seamlessly on your site.
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How to Create an Anchor Link in WordPress: Step-by-Step Guide
Anchor links let you guide your visitors directly to specific sections within a single WordPress page or post. They are powerful tools for enhancing user experience, especially in long articles, FAQs, or landing pages. Want your readers to jump straight to the answer they need with a single click? Anchor links are the secret.
Let’s break down exactly what anchor links are, why they’re useful, how to create them in WordPress using several methods, and share best practices for making your content more readable and user-friendly.
What Is an Anchor Link in WordPress?
An anchor link is a hyperlink that leads users to a specific spot (or “anchor”) on the same page, rather than just to the top. When someone clicks an anchor link, the page automatically scrolls to the targeted content without reloading. They’re also called “jump links” or “page jumps.”
For instance, clicking a Table of Contents entry could take you directly to that section of an article. This smooth navigation keeps users engaged and reduces the time they spend searching for the information they need.
Why Use Anchor Links in WordPress?
Anchor links offer several benefits:
- Improved navigation: Large pages or guides become easier to explore.
- Enhanced user experience: Visitors find what they want faster.
- Professional touch: Clean, interactive navigation looks great.
- SEO benefits: Search engines may display jump links in search results, improving visibility and click-through rates.
They’re frequently used in:
- Table of contents
- FAQ sections
- Resource lists
- Portfolio pages
Step-by-Step: How to Create an Anchor Link in WordPress
You can add anchor links using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg), the Classic Editor, or with the help of plugins and page builders. Here’s how to add them manually (with bonus tips for each method).
1. Creating Anchor Links Using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg)
The Block Editor makes adding anchor links straightforward, thanks to its “HTML Anchor” feature.
Step 1: Add an HTML Anchor to Your Target Section
1. Open your post or page in the Block Editor.
2. Select the block (such as a heading or paragraph) you want to link to.
3. In the right sidebar, find the “Advanced” section.
4. Enter a unique anchor word in the “HTML Anchor” field. (Example: about-us)
– Only use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens with no spaces.
Step 2: Create the Anchor Link
1. Highlight the text you want to turn into a clickable link.
2. Click the link button in the toolbar.
3. Enter your anchor in the format #anchorname (Example: #about-us).
That’s it! Clicking this link will now jump to the content with the matching anchor.
Example
Suppose you want to link to the “Pricing” section:
– In the block’s “HTML Anchor” field, type: pricing
– Link text elsewhere: “See our pricing” → set link URL to #pricing
2. Creating Anchor Links in the Classic Editor
If you’re using the Classic Editor, you’ll manually add anchor tags in the text (HTML) editor.
Step 1: Add the Anchor
1. Switch to the “Text” tab in the editor.
2. Find the spot you want your link to jump to.
3. Insert an anchor:
“
Place this right before your section or heading.
Step 2: Add the Link
1. Highlight the anchor link text elsewhere in your content.
2. Click the link button and set the link as #features.
3. Using Page Builders or Plugins
If you use page builders like Elementor, WPBakery, or plugins designed for tables of contents or anchor navigation, the process is often visual and even easier.
- Page builders typically let you add anchor/clickable “IDs” to sections with a few clicks.
- Table of Contents plugins auto-generate a list of anchor links based on your headings.
- Custom menu plugins can include anchor links for one-page website layouts.
Best Practices When Using Anchor Links
To make the most of anchor links:
- Choose unique, descriptive anchor names. Avoid generic words like “section1”.
- Use all lowercase and no spaces. Separate words with hyphens if needed (
#contact-form). - Test anchors on desktop and mobile. Some themes or plugins may affect scrolling behavior.
- Not too many anchors. Overusing them can clutter your page and confuse users.
- Keep links visible and intuitive. Integrate anchors in a table of contents, sidebar, or a navigation menu.
- Consider scroll offset. Some headers or sticky navigation bars may overlap the section you’re jumping to. Advanced users can tweak CSS or use plugins that adjust this.
Potential Challenges and How to Solve Them
Even a simple feature like anchor links can create hiccups:
- Page not scrolling to the correct spot?
- Sticky headers may hide the section title. Consider adding padding/margins above your anchor target or using plugins to fix the offset.
- Not working in certain browsers?
- Very old browsers may not support anchor scrolling, but this is rare today.
- Jumping to wrong section?
- Double-check your HTML anchor/id for typos or duplication.
- Links not functioning on paginated posts?
- Anchor links only work within the same page, not across different pages.
Extra Tips for Using Anchor Links Effectively
- Automate Table of Contents Generation: Plugins (like Easy Table of Contents) can automatically create, update, and style your anchor links.
- Use Deep Linking: Send users direct URLs with anchor fragments (e.g.,
yourdomain.com/post-title/#section) for sharing or email campaigns. - SEO Bonus: Naming your anchors with relevant keywords supports better search engine indexing.
- Accessibility: When possible, describe target sections clearly for assistive devices by using meaningful text and headings.
Anchor Links and Site Costs
The great news? Adding anchor links is free in WordPress—no plugins required! All core features are built-in with both the Block and Classic Editors. Plugins or advanced page builders that enhance anchor functionality may have free or paid versions, but most users won’t need to spend extra to add basic anchor links.
If you’re running a WooCommerce store or similar, using anchor links for product details or FAQs can reduce bounce rates and improve conversions—potentially saving on support costs and customer frustrations.
There are no shipping or transaction costs associated with anchor links themselves. They’re simply navigation improvements within your website.
In Summary
Adding anchor links in WordPress is easy, powerful, and accessible to everyone. Whether you’re aiming to enhance long guides, create clear FAQs, or tidy up a one-page website, these links make your content user-friendly and professional. With WordPress’s built-in options, even beginners can create smooth navigational experiences—all without writing much code.
Remember to use clear, unique anchors and test your links for usability. Take advantage of WordPress’s built-in features, and consider plugins or visual builders if you want to supercharge your workflow. Start small, and watch your readers enjoy a smoother journey through your content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a regular link and an anchor link in WordPress?
A regular link takes users to a different page or an external website. An anchor link lets users jump directly to a specific section within the same page, improving navigation and user experience.
2. Do anchor links impact SEO in WordPress?
Yes, anchor links can help with SEO. They make your content easier to navigate, which can improve dwell time and reduce bounce rates. Search engines sometimes display anchor links in search results, making your listings more attractive.
3. Will anchor links work with all WordPress themes?
Anchor links work with nearly all WordPress themes. However, the precise scrolling behavior may differ—especially if your theme uses sticky headers. Always test your anchor links to make sure they scroll to the correct position.
4. Can I use anchor links on mobile versions of my site?
Absolutely! Anchor links are mobile-friendly. Just make sure you test them on various devices, as headers or sticky menus can sometimes cover up the target section.
5. Can I link to an anchor from another page?
Yes. To do this, use the full URL with the anchor added at the end (for example: https://yoursite.com/your-post/#sectionname). This lets you share direct links to exact sections within a page.
Mastering anchor links in WordPress puts you in control of your site’s navigation—delighting visitors, boosting engagement, and presenting your content like a pro. Happy linking!