Are text links over background images a red flag?

I want to make sure I'm not putting my site at risk by upgrading the look.

[hazardtomyself]

We have a relvant and well positioned (in Google) site. Our site was originally designed very simple and clean. We have now decided to upgrade the look. We want to have a cool 3D background image in our nav bar with the text links over it. I have not found this to be against Google guidelines but want to make sure in our attempt to upgrade to look for users, we are not automatically incurring a penalty.

The reason I ask is because I know some unethical folks have used background images with same color text over it.

[Yidaki]

It's no problemo - actually this is commonly used a lot by many sites. Even if the background image would be the same color as the text above it, there's no way for a robot to detect this automatically. Only a hand check would get you in trouble.

But since you said, you plan to use a cool 3D background for the navigation, there's no problem - that's nothing unethical. Just don't hide anything and your safe.

[hazardtomyself]

Yidaki
Muchas Gracias. This upgraded look is totally user driven and would pass any manual review. I just wanted to make sure it would not trip any spam algorithm. As a matter of fact, I left the cell background the same color as the 3D image. So the cell background and the text are still different colors.

Thanks again.

[GoogleGuy]

Sounds like smart thinking. That way, no matter what or who checks out the page, you know you're golden. :)

[hazardtomyself]

Thanks GG. Your participation and comments are so valuable to us who make a living using the web.

[BigDave]

It is also a good idea to have the cell background a different color for those that surf with images off.