Drop down links vs. text links

how does Google assign value?

[allanp73]

I always felt that text links are the way to go.
However, sometimes it is user friendly to put a large group of links into a drop-down list. I know that Google indexes the links and text, but how much value does it assign these types of links compared to standard links? How is anchor text affected?
My feeling is that it would be a double loss. First one looses because the text won't be controlled. There would be no font size, bold, or general text bonuses. Second there could be less value assigned to the link. However, this is just spectulation.
I would like to hear other opinions. Thanks :)

[sandalwood]

I don't think G take the drop down menu's links as really links! I would suggest you a drop down layer with all these links...

[plasma]

AFAIK links in DIVs are treated just like any other link.
Visit the page with lynx, and if you can reach the links, google can, too.

[allanp73]

I realize that Google can reach the links. This was not the question. The question was how much value does it give these type of links compared to standard text links? Is there an SEO advantage to using standard text links?

[javascripter]

In my opinion, you can't look at the link the way it appears on the page. You have to just consider it a link in the code. If it's a link....it's a link! And there are drop down menu's you can change the size, shape, and color of the text. But it really doesn't make a difference. A link is a link.

Am I wrong Googleguy?

[plasma]

I realize that Google can reach the links. This was not the question. The question was how much value does it give these type of links compared to standard text links? Is there an SEO advantage to using standard text links?

Well, then just ignore the 2nd phrase ;)

[snook]

Hope it is ok I jump in here, drop down menu has been a problem for me.
I have a site full of drop down boxes (because of the amount of content) that google will not index.
My site is in php, so the pages were dynamic. So I changed all level one pages, including the index page, to htm, and put the full url in the drop downs on our main page, and still no luck :(
I wish I could have someone look at it and tell me what is wrong.

In the mean time I made a sitemap, and hoping this gets indexed

[snook]

found out that my problem is the drop downs use java script, I am going to have to find some other drop down menu codes.

Any recommendations?