What does google consider Hidden Links?

[Ma2T]

I was just checking over Google's guidelines, to see if I could find something im doing wrong. (still being punished).

I found this:
"Make a site with a clear hierarchy and text links." and
"Avoid hidden text or hidden links."

I am not too sure what google considers a "hidden link".

On my site, for example, I have a big block of text, some of the words in this text are links, but you can not tell that they are links, untill you place your cursor over the text, where it changes colour and becomes underlined. (The link looks the same before)

Is this considered "hidden links" to google?. I use this style as most of my links are in the sidebar so it is clear that these are links, and I didn't want lines under all of these links.

Any ideas or thoughts?
Thanks everyone.

[tedster]

If the user can read the link text easily, and the cursor changes when you hover, I don't think that qualifies as a hidden link. However, perhaps you really are trying to hide them? I mean, why not give some visual cue that a link lives there - some cues that doesn't need a hover to be noticed?

It's hard to discuss this in the abstract, of course -- and you are the one who is looking at the page as rendered. If your page really is deceptive about its links, then even though the algo might not nail the practice, a human editor might. Human's are a lot better at catching your intent.

[Lobo]

No I don't think google penalise for bad design?

I think they are more concerned with redirects and "on load " functions ..

[Ma2T]

Thanks for your reply Tedster. I am not trying to hide my links what so ever, I have a sidebar with many links (it's clear that this is the navigation area) and I prefer the way it looks like that, simply my design preference.

I can see how it is hard to see the links in the area area, I might edit my css somewhat just in case.

Thanks :)