Branded or Generic Keywords in Anchor texts

[lolab]

Does branded or generic kw's in anchor texts help to get ranked better? Even if the referred page keyword isn't present in the anchor text?

[anush]

It helps?? Yes it does. But it in a minimal way. Now-a-days search engines have gotten smarter.

And anchor texts doesn't have to be exact. As long as they are relevant to the host and referred page (both), its fine.

[brian]

Don't use unnecessary or irrelevant anchor texts. Using branded kw's just to get ranked is a foolish idea in my opinion. Yes, ofcourse you can use it but it has to describe the page otherwise not.

[zeus]

Just put the words which defines the referred page in an exact way.