An image link is a clickable image that acts as a hyperlink, sending users to another webpage when they click on the image. Instead of text-based anchor links, image links use images as the clickable element.
In HTML, an image link is created by wrapping an <img> tag inside an <a> tag.
In simple terms:
👉 An image link is a picture that works like a clickable link.
Image links are commonly used for:
- Navigation menus
- Banners and CTAs
- Product images
- Logos linking to homepages
How Image Links Work
When a search engine crawls a page, it analyzes image links differently than text links.
Here’s what happens:
- The crawler identifies the image as a clickable link
- It looks at the alt text to understand what the image represents
- The link passes authority (link equity) to the destination page
- The context around the image helps determine relevance
Because image links don’t contain visible anchor text, alt attributes play a critical SEO role.
Image Links vs Text Links
Although both pass link equity, they work differently.
| Image Links | Text Links |
|---|---|
| Use images as anchors | Use text as anchors |
| Rely on alt text | Rely on anchor text |
| Strong for UX & visuals | Stronger for SEO clarity |
| Can be overlooked if poorly optimized | Easier for search engines to interpret |
Best practice is to use both, depending on context.
Why Image Links Matter for SEO
Image links are important because they:
- Improve user experience
- Enhance visual navigation
- Pass link equity
- Support internal linking
- Help with branding and engagement
However, image links require proper optimization to avoid SEO loss.
The Role of Alt Text in Image Links
For image links, alt text acts like anchor text.
This means:
- It tells search engines what the linked page is about
- It improves accessibility for screen readers
- It supports image search visibility
Example:
<a href="/seo-guide">
<img src="seo-guide.jpg" alt="Complete SEO guide for beginners">
</a>
Without alt text, search engines lose valuable context.
Image Links and Accessibility
Image links are especially important for accessibility.
Properly optimized image links:
- Help visually impaired users understand link purpose
- Improve screen reader navigation
- Meet accessibility guidelines
Missing or vague alt text creates usability issues.
Best Practices for Image Links
To optimize image links correctly:
- Always add descriptive alt text
- Avoid keyword stuffing in alt attributes
- Ensure images are relevant to the linked page
- Use image links where visuals improve UX
- Don’t replace important text links entirely
- Optimize image size and loading speed
Image links should enhance not replace text-based linking.
Common Image Link SEO Mistakes
Avoid these common errors:
- Missing alt text
- Using generic alt text like “image” or “click here”
- Using images as the only navigation method
- Linking irrelevant images
- Overusing banner-style image links
- Slow-loading images
These mistakes reduce both SEO value and usability.
Image Links in Internal Linking
Image links are often used internally for:
- Homepage logos
- Category thumbnails
- Featured content sections
For important internal pages, pair image links with text links to strengthen SEO signals.
Image Links and External Linking
When linking externally with images:
- Make sure the destination is relevant
- Use clear alt text
- Avoid linking through spammy banners
Search engines treat spam-heavy image links similarly to paid or manipulative links.
Do Image Links Pass Link Equity?
Yes image links do pass link equity, just like text links.
However:
- The value depends on relevance and context
- Alt text replaces anchor text
- Poor optimization weakens impact
Well-optimized image links can still support SEO effectively.
Final Thoughts
Image links are a valuable part of modern web design and SEO. When used correctly, they enhance user experience, support navigation, and pass link equity.
However, relying on image links without proper alt text or context can weaken SEO performance. The best approach is balance use image links where visuals help users, and text links where clarity matters most.