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Is there any proof that graphical links don't weigh as much as text link ads do?

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Short answer for : graphic links are real links and can carry link value — and when an image is the clickable element Google will use the image’s alt text as the link’s anchor text. That means you can preserve the keyword signal by using a meaningful alt, but remember alt exists for accessibility first (so keep it accurate and not keyword-stuffed). (developers.google.com)

Building on what observed: you should not assume a text->image swap automatically kills a page’s value, but you do need to watch implementation. The old public “Toolbar PageRank” metric is no longer a reliable, visible gauge of link value, so don’t panic over a single format change — instead confirm the link is crawlable, isn’t marked rel="nofollow"/rel="sponsored" (those attributes affect how Google treats link credit), and isn’t only delivered via CSS background or JavaScript where the crawler can miss it. (searchenginejournal.com)

Quick, practical example and checklist you can apply right now:

<a href="https://example.com/directory">
  <img src="/images/directory-badge.png" alt="Submit your site to Example Directory - free listing" />
</a>

Checklist:

  • Add a concise, descriptive alt that reflects the destination (not keyword stuffing). (developers.google.com)
  • Make sure the <a> is a normal HTML link (not a CSS background or JS-only link). (searchenginejournal.com)
  • Don’t mark it rel="sponsored"/rel="nofollow" if you want the link to pass credit. (developers.google.com)
  • Verify what Google sees with Search Console: use URL Inspection (view rendered HTML) and the Links report. (developers.google.com)

If anchor text matters a lot for that directory listing, keep a small visible text link near the badge (or in a footer) — that’s the simplest way to preserve the original anchor-text signal while keeping the graphic for users. Also prioritize correct alt for accessibility and real-world clarity; it helps both people and search engines. (searchenginejournal.com)

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Member Avatar for Scribbller

Is there any proof that graphical links don't weigh as much as text link ads do?

Doesnt the "alt" attribute compensate for the fact that anchor text is missing I could be wrong though. Another thing graphic links usually bring in more actual visitors as compared to text ones. In my personal opinion it should even out in the end.

Member Avatar for Dani

The "alt" attribute has always been designed for text-based browsers and accessibility utilities such as text-to-speech for the blind, etc.

Member Avatar for Scribbller

Ok I researched a little and I was wrong about alt attribute, Graphic links do pass on PR like any other link but unfortunately you do not get the benefits of the anchor text which basically is the most important thing in SEO as it to a certain extent determines your keywords.

Member Avatar for Dani

So you lose the benefit of the keyword ranking but they pass just as much PR? The reason for my concern is because the link to my Link Directory used to be in the form of a text link and now it's in the form of a graphical link. It's a PR7, and I think that's awesome for a directory, and I don't want it to go down at the next PR upgrade solely as a result of it not being text.

Member Avatar for Scribbller

So you lose the benefit of the keyword ranking but they pass just as much PR? The reason for my concern is because the link to my Link Directory used to be in the form of a text link and now it's in the form of a graphical link. It's a PR7, and I think that's awesome for a directory, and I don't want it to go down at the next PR upgrade solely as a result of it not being text.

You will not loose any PR from a link as a graphic as I said its still a link and PR will be channelled through it, the only difference is that the advantage of anchor text you get will be gone and anchor text has nothing to do with PR of your page, it is concerned with keywords your site is optimized for.

Member Avatar for Dani

Sounds great. Thanks! :)

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