Live Text in Navigation Vs. Image - Does this affect SEO

[Red_Spot_Interactive]

I recently was asked the question if having live text in the navigation vs and image affect seo.  For example, refer to this link http://markup.io/v/avsaenq856kw the navigation highlighted is seperate images. The html elements read : /images/procedures.png">

Live text html reads like this: Breast »

What is better for seo value, or does it now matter having live text or an image?

[AlanMosley]

Useing text or alt tag is ok. as a text is visisble and alt tag is not, one tends to believe that search engines will like it better.

But dont hide text, a lot of users use text-indent: -99999px to move text off the screen. This is a signal of spam to google.

[Catalyste]

Hi Jason,

In a pure SEO perspective, I would say that Text Links are absolutely your best choice. If you choose to use the Image links don't forget to fill the alt tag. If you can go with the text links, they work just better. Image link may be better for user visual experience, but in my SEO perspective, design come second in term of performances.