Text vs. Graphic Link

how good is a graphic ..

[old_expat]

.. compared to a text link?

I seem to recall someone saying that a backlink with good keywords in the anchor text is ideal, but how effective is a graphic backlink by comparison?

20% - 40% - 60% - 80% - 100% - better?

[BadSense]

I don't think you can really say a link is X% as a good - you can just say it either has the same effect, a better effect, or a worse effect.

From what I've read over the years, I can just say that I believe text links have a better effect - simple as that.

[old_expat]

Well, I realize that one cannot precisely rate links, but if you had the opportunity of getting say 200 text links or 1000 graphic links from a random sampling of websites (PR wise), which would you choose?

400 vs 1000, etc. I guess that puts it in more of a real world perspective.

[Raymond]

Graphic links are better for humans eyes, text links are better for spiders. So I wouldn't say which one is better than the other. It really depends on why do you acquire that link in the first place. Do you always think SEO first, or marketing first? Does the site have alot of good quality traffic, or is it just another PR giving website?

[Raymond]

Well, I realize that one cannot precisely rate links, but if you had the opportunity of getting say 200 text links or 1000 graphic links from a random sampling of websites (PR wise), which would you choose?

400 vs 1000, etc. I guess that puts it in more of a real world perspective.

I would choose 1000 graphic links. For your case, it comes down to does having anchor text give an extra 120% benefit over just a graphic link. I personally don't think so.

[old_expat]

Hello Raymond,

"Does the site have alot of good quality traffic, or is it just another PR giving website?"

In my imaginary scenario, the following are assumed:

1-The links would be one-way incoming links
2-The site *is* "just another PR giving website"
3-The resistance to adding a text link might well be greater than a very unobtrusive graphic link.
4-The assumption is that the links are more for "PR giving" than they are for bringing traffic.

[Herb75]

i think that if the graphic has keywords for alt text the links are equal, but if there is no alt text then the text link is better.

[pageoneresults]

This would be the ultimate scenario for a graphic link...

<a title="Silver Widgets at ABC Company, click widgets picture for more information." href="/widgets/silver/"><img src="/images/widgets/silver.gif" width="72" height="108" alt="Picture of Silver Widgets"></a>

Text links will typically outweight graphic links due to their textual nature. ;)

[old_expat]

Thanks guys, I think this puts me on the right track.

Happy New Year - Drive Carefully .. Watch The Other Guy. too.