Exact-match anchor vs branded vs naked URL

Exact-match anchor vs branded vs naked URL
What you ask the editor to hyperlink.

— Exact-match ('best running shoes'): strongest signal, biggest footprint risk. Ask for this and editors get suspicious you're an SEO.
— Branded ('according to Acme'): safe, builds entity trust, AI loves it for citations. Editors hand it over no problem.
— Naked URL / 'click here': weak but invisible, good for diluting an over-optimized profile.

The move: branded or partial-match in the pitch so the editor stays relaxed, and never ask for exact-match on a free placement — it screams spam. Keep exact-match under ~20% of your whole profile. I run 70% branded these days and sleep fine.

Go do it.