The invention relates to a method for producing anionic water-in-water polymer dispersions containing at least one finely dispersed, water-soluble and/or water-swellable polymer A and a continuous aqueous phase. This phase has a partial quantity of at least one polymeric dispersing agent B in which monomers dispersed in this aqueous phase are subjected to a radical polymerization, and after the polymerization is completed, the reaction mixture is subsequently diluted with the remaining amount of dispersing agent B. The invention also relates to the polymer dispersions obtained according to the method and to their use, particularly in the paper industry.