Images as links

Does google count as a link?

[trillianjedi]

I'm sure I remember reading this, but I just can't find the post with a search now.

If a site links to me using a graphic I supplied (this is straight html - no dynamic stuff like a banner engine) does it count with google as a backlink?

Or is it only text style links that actually count?

Thanks,

TJ

[Oaf357]

All links count (that Google can read of course).

[DaveN]

google will see the link but won't be able to know why that site is linking to you.

for example a site selling cars, runs a graphic link for your car parts business the home user can read the text in the image and will know that by following it they will get a site about car parts, were as google just see's it has a link so you don't get the anchor text bonus.

DaveN

[Jbrookins]

A mouse-over text would fix that though, wouldn't it?

[SEO practioner]

Not really jbrookins, and DaveN is right, as always :-)

Text links are the best, and I'm speaking out of experience.

There is nothing as powerful as anchor text to really drive "targeted" visitors to any site.

[jady]

Yes they count, but cant put good keyword anchor text in an image... That is the only holdup we found...

[keyplyr]

Google will read and index alt text for the image link however. It seems to add relevancy because image alt text will show up in searches. How much link power it adds is debatable, but most likely not near as much as a KW text link.