Alt text

On inbound links

[creative craig]

Does the alt text of an inbound link graphic have any influence on serps?

I offer a graphic for people who wish to link to me, and I am just wondering if the alt text has any weight!

Craig

[Birdman]

I believe it carries some weight but not near as much as actual text with your kws.

[Marcia]

Agreed, text links are considered better. But for banner or graphics links the alt attribute can be used, and the link attribute also, for good measure. They're both acceptable for usability purposes so wouldn't be dodgy looking if they're accurate and kept reasonably short. There's no reason not to use them.

[tbear]

>and the link attribute also

>scratching head>What's that one, Marcia?</scratching head>

[Birdman]

tbear, Marcia may have meant the link title attribute [w3.org].

[tbear]

<curling up again>Oh, thanks, Birdman, thought I'd missed one.</curling up again>

[creative craig]

I wish they would all use text links, but I had a few requests for a graphic link so I had to give in.

Thanks for the replys :)

Craig

[Birdman]

I agree Craig, if that's their layout then you have to take it anyway you can get it.

I just had an idea:

What if you gave them cut 'n paste code that looks just like a banner, but also has text in it.

Example:

<a href="yoursite.com">
<div style="width: 450px: height: 60px; background-image: url(yourimagepath.gif)">
<p style="position: absolute; left: 175px; bottom: 5px;">Buy Widgets Here!</p>
</div>
</a>

[creative craig]

One of them doesn't want text links at all though, just a graphic.

I have code with a text link in it as well for others

Thanks anyway though :)

Craig

[Birdman]

>>One of them doesn't want text links at all though, just a graphic.

That's seems irrational. I might even turn them down just to teach them a lesson. Then again, maybe not ;)

[creative craig]

Something about making an image map of links, wanted a certain height and width as well... some people eh! ;)