hello, I have a site that I just recently got a domain name for. I have a couple of images that serve as links to other sites (one links to the HTML Kit site and the other to The GIMP site). I've been told that these will hurt my Search Engine Optimazation efforts. Is this true? Phil
No link will hurt your SEO When it comes to using images as links make sure you add alt text, containing your keywords.
I think alt text in image links weigh just as much as plain text links. The difference is that you can display any message to the visitor on an image. The content of the image can be different than the alt text so you can say what you want and still get the most out of SEO. right?
Alt text should be a legible sentence used to describe the image. Sure, make it keyword rich but don't make it spammy... alt text serves a purpose other than for seo.
Yeah, no spam!!! What I was saying is that an image showing a cool custom made shirt is more valuable that a simple text link "make your own shirt". You could use that in alt text. But really, I know that alt text serves for showing when image is not available, but is the alt text as important as a normal text in a regular link? Or not?
I don't think alt text is as good as having a plain text link. One thing you could do is display the images using Javascript and then use <noscript> tags to show whatever links you want to people without Javascript and the search engines.