Yes, Anchor Text Is A Google Ranking Factor

I am a bit surprised I am writing this but yes, anchor text is a signal Google uses for ranking purposes. Yes, Google can ignore spammy links that try to manipulate rankings but normal anchor text does help Google rank a page for what the anchor text says about the page. Hence giving Google more context about the page.

from Search Engine Roundtable https://ift.tt/2VjISsg