How to Create Anchor Links in WordPress: Easy Guide

Ever wished you could guide your readers straight to the exact information they need on your WordPress site? Anchor links make it possible—letting visitors jump directly to sections within a page or post with a single click.

Using anchor links not only improves navigation but also keeps your audience engaged by making your content easier to explore. In this article, you’ll discover how to create anchor links in WordPress, step-by-step, along with helpful tips for the best user experience.

What Are Anchor Links in WordPress?

Anchor links—sometimes called jump links—are a simple, powerful way to improve site navigation. An anchor link allows you to jump to a specific section of the same page or to another page entirely, saving your visitors time and making your content easier to digest. Imagine reading a lengthy guide and instantly moving to a section you care about—anchor links make that possible.

In WordPress, creating these handy shortcuts is easier than you might think. With just a bit of HTML or by using friendly block editors, you can enhance your readers’ experiences and make your content more dynamic.

Why Use Anchor Links on Your WordPress Site?

Adding anchor links to your content isn’t just a technical trick; it brings several tangible benefits:

Improved User Experience: Help readers find what they’re looking for faster, especially in long posts or FAQs.
SEO Advantages: Search engines may reward pages that are well-organized, and anchor links help create a logical structure.
Professionalism: Well-placed anchor links make your posts look organized and thoughtful.
Navigation in One-Page Sites: Essential for menus and navigation on single-page WordPress sites.
Enhanced Accessibility: Helps users with assistive devices jump to relevant sections instantly.

How to Create Anchor Links in WordPress (Step-by-Step)

There are a few handy ways to add anchor links to your WordPress content. Let’s break down the most popular options, so you can choose what fits you best.

Method 1: Adding Anchor Links With the Block Editor (Gutenberg)

If you’re using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg), you don’t need to mess with much code.

1. Set an Anchor (ID) to Your Destination Section

Click the block (like a heading or paragraph) you want people to jump to.
In the right sidebar, scroll to the “Advanced” section.
Find the “HTML anchor” field.
Type a simple and unique name (for example, section-tips).

2. Link to the Anchor in Your Content

Select the text you want to turn into an anchor link (like “Jump to Tips”).
Click the link icon.
Type a hashtag (#) followed by your anchor name (example: #section-tips).
Save or update your post.

Method 2: Creating Anchor Links Using the Classic Editor (HTML)

Are you using the older Classic Editor? You’ll need a touch of HTML.

1. Add an Anchor Tag to Your Target Section

Find the heading or paragraph you want as the jump spot.
Switch to the “Text” tab (instead of “Visual”).
Add an id attribute to the element. Example:

Contact Form

2. Add the Anchor Link

Highlight the text that will become your link.
Use the following format in HTML:

Go to Contact Form

For links from other pages, use the full URL, like:

Go to Contact Form

Method 3: Using Plugins for More Flexibility

Some users prefer the ease and extra features of a plugin. Popular plugins allow you to:

Add anchors visually with a few clicks.
Create floating tables of contents with jump links.
Manage anchor links site-wide.

To use a plugin:

Go to your dashboard’s Plugins section.
Search for and install a reputable anchor link or table of contents plugin.
Activate and follow its setup guide.

Some favorite plugins:
– Table of Contents Block plugins.
– Anchor Block plugins.

Pro Tips for Working With Anchor Links

Making the most of anchor links goes beyond just adding them. Here are expert tips for smooth results:

Keep Anchor IDs Simple: Use only lowercase letters, numbers, or hyphens; avoid spaces or special symbols.
Make Links Descriptive: Instead of “click here,” use something like “See our privacy policy.”
Test on Desktop and Mobile: Some themes handle anchors differently—always check.
Avoid Duplicate IDs: Each anchor (ID) must be unique per page.
Use Table of Contents for Long Content: Many plugins let you create a clickable summary for readers.
Scroll Adjustment: If your site has a sticky header, consider adding a small scroll offset with CSS so anchored sections aren’t hidden.

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

Creating anchor links is straightforward, but a few hiccups can appear:

Sticky Headers Cover Anchors: Use extra CSS to offset the scroll if your menu bar hides sections.
Links Not Working: Double-check that your anchor IDs match and are unique. IDs are case-sensitive.
Mobile Behavior: Some themes or browsers may scroll a little too far or not far enough. Adjust with theme settings or CSS as needed.
Plugin Conflicts: Sometimes, plugins that dynamically load content may interfere with anchor links. Update or switch plugins if you see problems.

Cost Considerations

Adding anchor links is completely free. You don’t need premium plugins, special themes, or any extra services. Nearly all reputable anchor/link plugins offer generous free versions, and manual methods (using HTML or the block editor) are built into WordPress itself. If you’re using third-party page builders or premium themes, check their documentation for built-in options—they seldom charge extra for this.

Best Practices for Using Anchor Links

To help you and your readers get the most from anchor links, follow these guidelines:

Use Anchor Links Sparingly and Logically: Don’t overwhelm your page with too many jump points.
Create a Table of Contents for Long Posts: Make navigation more intuitive, especially for tutorials or guides.
Always Test Before Publishing: Click each anchor link to ensure it jumps to the right place on all devices.
Optimize for Accessibility: Assistive technologies rely on clear link text and well-structured headings.
Use Consistent Naming Conventions: This helps future editing and avoids confusion.

Example: Adding Anchor Links Step by Step

Let’s walk through a simple scenario. Imagine you have a long FAQ page and want readers to jump straight to “Shipping Details.”

Mark Your Target Section:

If using the Block Editor, select your “Shipping Details” heading and add “shipping-details” in the HTML anchor field.

If using HTML, make your heading:

html Shipping Details

Create Your Anchor Link:

Wherever you mention shipping, turn the text “Read Shipping Details” into a link with #shipping-details as the URL.

For example:

html Read Shipping Details

That’s it! Now, when a reader clicks the link, they’ll jump straight to the Shipping Details section.

Enhancing Anchor Links With Advanced Features

If you want to take things further—like adding smooth scrolling effects or fancy navigation menus—many WordPress themes and plugins offer these extras. With some CSS or JavaScript, you can make anchor links scroll smoothly, provide animated highlights, or trigger pop-ups.

Popular page builder plugins (such as Elementor or WPBakery) add even more options, letting you create seamless, interactive experiences without writing code.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an anchor link in WordPress?

An anchor link, also known as a jump link, is a link that takes a visitor directly to a specific section of a page or post, rather than just the top. This makes navigating long content much easier for readers.

Can I create anchor links without using code?

Absolutely! If you use the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg), you can assign HTML anchors to headings or blocks via user-friendly interface options, with no need to write code.

Do anchor links work on mobile devices?

Yes, anchor links work on both desktop and mobile. However, always double-check how your theme handles scrolling and ensure that sticky headers or menus don’t block the anchored section.

Are there plugins to help with anchor links?

Yes. Several free and premium plugins make adding anchor links a breeze. Many Table of Contents plugins automatically add jump links and help organize your content for better readability and navigation.

Will adding anchor links cost extra money?

No. Creating anchor links in WordPress is free. You can do it manually with the core editor or use free plugins. There’s no need to purchase premium features for basic anchor functionality.

With these step-by-step instructions, tips, and best practices, you’re ready to create clear, user-friendly anchor links in WordPress—making your site easier and more engaging for everyone.

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