Keyword Alt text in Links

[Want1stPlaceYesterday]

I am wondering about alt text in links. My website was ranking in the top 1-5 position for all my main keywords from 2006-2012. I took a big hit in april 2012 and my rankings tanked with the penguin update.

I've really just left seo alone for the past year as I assumed my rankings would come back, obviously not. I am still ranked 90-120 for my main keyword a year later, other keywords I am still ranked between position #7-11 which I am happy enough with.

I did not receive any warnings from google so I'm not de-listed and don't have a manual penalty.

My main problem was if someone wanted to link to my site I just asked them to use the exact same alt text in the link pointing to my site.

So after using seomoz explorer I see I have just over 2700 links which Is great because I never approached anyone for links I just told them the alt text I wanted when anyone approached me, which shows people felt my site was good.

My main problem is I have 600 of the 2700 links with the exact same alt text. Should I use the disavow tool to remove links with that key word phrase? Would that help?

I look forward to any help with this.

Thanks.

[Want1stPlaceYesterday]

Thanks again for the reply. Will go watch the video now. Good to hear there should be no problem with that link.

Because its good to know people feel happy enough to recommend my site, but its then a shame to worry that they may be harming my site unintentionally.

Thanks.

[AgentsofValue]

Yes I think its always wise to get other people's opinion about these things.

Google counts that as one link. Matt Cutts explained that well in this video.

So I dont think you have anything to worry about.

Cheers!

[Want1stPlaceYesterday]

Thank you agents of value for your reply. I thought it best to ask before I do any more damage unintentionally.

Having looked more into this I see that about 300 of the exact alt text link is from 1 blog where the blogger has added a link to my site on their side bar as a reccomendation I guess with various other related sites.

So every time they post a blog post a link is created for my site. It is a related industry to my own so I am happy they have decided to reccomend us like that but will that hurt my site with duplicate links or would google just count it as 1 link?

Thanks.

[AgentsofValue]

Hi there, I think having the exact same alt text on the links is not a problem unless you did received a warning from Google about excessive usage or worst yet, spamming using that alt text.

But just to be on the safe side, I would advise for you to check those 600 links to see if they need to be disavowed. Normally, links that you need to disavow are:

• "Unnatural" backlinks that you created on your own or are purchased. This is especially for those with targeted high-volume keywords in the anchor text.

• Backlinks that are auto generated.

If those 600 links do not fall into any of those categories, then I advise for you not to disavow those links. It would be such a waste if you disavow those links from good sites that link to you because they think your site is good.

AOV