Can robots follow graphical links?

Please help settle an argument (sorry - a debate!)

[Jaac2002]

We've been having a bit of a debate in our office as to whether robots can follow graphical links. We've been working on the basis that they can't and that's the reason for duplicate 'text' links on web pages. However, someone else has said that the duplicate links are for web accessibility only and that the robots CAN follow the links from the <a href="people.htm">People</a> tag.

Can someone keep me right with this please?
Thanks
Jaac

[agerhart]

Search engines can follow image links. Text links are ideal, as you can use keyword rich link text.

[dillonstars]

And I believe ALT tags do a similar job (not as good though) as anchor text for keyword rich graphical links (or so i have found)...

[nuhkweb]

Hi,

Robots do follow image links the same as text links.
But text links have the advantage of thr "Anchor Text" which has more weight for a search engine.

Alt tags are mostly only used to catalogue your pictures and doesn't seem to influence a searchengine.

With the only exception, that overstuffing to many keywords in alt tags can lead (sometimes) to a penalty.

Greetings,