Graphical Vs. Text Links

Can search engines spiders see graphical links?

[aaronjf]

Can search engines spiders follow graphical links? If I have a site using all graphical links should I add text links at the bottum of the pages for the spiders to follow or is that neccessary?

[Duckula]

As far as I know, spiders follow <a href="" code, and should not matter if it is on an image.

But the alternative text links would be nice for your users, because not everybody has images on.

[ritualcoffee]

I would say go with text links - especially since it is a great place to throw in a keyword.

[gethan]

Hi Arronjf,

The search engines follow the <a href= - as said by Duckula.

So SE's will find your pages even if the only links are from graphics.

The second consideration is that SE's determine what your page is about by a number of factors including page content, titles and link text. So linking with text gives your page extra weight for that phrase.

If you have a graphical menu use the alt text on the image - I have no proof but think that SE's will count this text (less than with plain text but every little helps).

Additionally a footer with plain text links will help - it maintains a good internal linking structure, gives the SE's plain text to use. It also becomes useful to many web surfers who instinctively visit the bottom of pages for certain info - like contact details, sitemap etc.

So in summary - it's not necessary but helps.

[seofan]

Image maps should be avoided if optimization is the focus.

Rollover script causes bloat - more difficult.

HTML basic graphic links are less cumbersome.

Text based links based on relevant keywords are most se friendly.

[JamesR]

if you use graphical links, try using a title attribute in the href to identify the link and where it is going.

[Stickymaster]

Text links over graphical links anyday. Like someone said you can include good key words, less load time and in my oppinion more of a benefit to the user.

[RobustTech]

If you do use graphical links, simply call the graphic the keyword...like dvd_store.gif

And have that link to a page called dvd_store.htm

Peace-