Do search engines follow multiple links to the same URL on 1

[James Trotta]

Do search engines follow multiple links to the same URL on 1 page? I ask because I have a header graphic/image map as my main navigation and text links to the same pages in my footers. Naturally if only one link counts I want it to be the text link not the image link.

What I've done is put my image on top, but the code for my map at the very bottom, under the text links. I don't know how to check to see if it's working though...

[awall19]

I believe that if a spider were to consider a text vs image link that they would use the information of the text link over the image link since it is likely to be more descriptive and accurate.

many sites use text links in the footer for image navigation so I would assume that search engines usually evaluate that data just based upon the # of people who do it.

It aids relevancy for them to consider text above alt text.

[James Trotta]

That's what I wanted to hear. One more question about anchor text if you don't mind. I have a PR 6 site, www.travel-plan-idea.com which targets among other keywords: travel plan.

An allinanchor search shows me at #4. A regualr search and I'm not in the top 100. I don't get it. Every other search term shows pretty high correlation between anchor text and actual rankings...

[awall19]

that is happening to a bunch of people. the only thing you can do is get more links and wait it out. i also recommend using slightly different anchor text on a few of the links too.

[thebassman]

Why would slightly different anchor texts help?

[awall19]

if the anchor text is always the same it looks as though it might be automated or an attempt to manipulate.

it is logical to think that if sites were linked in a somewhat unnatural way and all inbound links had the same exact text then it would be easier to flag a spam filter. even if they are not aggressive on this front today as technology improves so will the ability to filter out artificial ranking manipulations.

the google sandbox thingie is something not too many people were talking about a while back. they can introduce newer, smater, and more elegant technologies any day.

for my seo book site some of the links are

seo book
seo book.com
search engine optimization book
seo book: search engine optimization...
etc.

[thebassman]

Interesting... never thought of that... I'll keep that in mind...

So basically mix it up a bit: i.e. photography forum, photography forums, photographers forum, photography discussion... that sort of idea?

[awall19]

primarily you can stick with one or two, but using a couple variations is a good idea in my opinion. i also edited my last post a bit since you read it.

[thebassman]

Nice, thanks. I'll have to go around and makes some changes, I think.

[James Trotta]

What about same site links. like every footer on my ESL site has the anchor "ESL go-English second language" should I change some of my own footers or are you talking more about links from external sites?

[awall19]

i would leave all my inner links the same. most sites do. i think you would confuse visitors if you started to randomly rename stuff.

i was talking about getting slightly different inbound links from site a vs site b

[RonHollingsworth]

That's good advice awall19. I mix the anchor text up every time I ask for a link. I usually target 3 of my top KP's. Unless of course it's an internal page that necessitates a different keyword phrase.