Image Links vs Text Links

[jacobwissler]

Does anyone have an opinion on the value of image links, as compared to text links (other than the obvious value that comes from anchor text)? Is it possible that Google tries to ignore images that appear to be banner ads?

I notice text links seem to have much greater impact on SERPS than image links, has anyone else observed this?

[bhartzer]

Is it possible that Google tries to ignore images that appear to be banner ads?

They don't ignore them on purpose. However, links that are banner ads normally include "un-followable" links, links that the search engine spider cannot follow because they typically include tracking information, which causes the url to be really long and contain a lot of parameters. Not to mention the fact that banner ads change so frequently that the search engines just cannot keep up with those links.

As for text links and they're impact on the SERPs that's really a no-brainer--it includes anchor text which helps the search engines figure what a site really is about. Image links, besides alt data, don't allow the search engines to figure out what a site is about.

[jacobwissler]

I know use of an ad server would kill the link value of a banner ad, but I have banner ads that do not run through an ad server, and the banner is in a fixed position on PR 6, PR 7 and PR 8 sites. These banners send me clients, but they do not appear to have much impact on SERPS, whereas text links appear to have an immediate impact on SERPS.