Issue: Using <a href>
tags to link to resources (like images) instead of pages can confuse search engines, leading them to interpret resource links as webpage links. This may signal poor site structure.
Fix: Replace <a href>
links with the correct tags. For instance, use <img>
tags for images, and avoid linking directly to resources with <a href>
unless linking to a page.
Recommendations
- Use
<img>
Tags for Images: Ensure images are embedded with<img src="image-url.jpg" alt="description">
rather than<a href="image-url.jpg">
. - Check Media and Downloads: If linking to downloadable files or resources, specify in the link text that it’s a download, or consider a different approach to avoid confusing crawlers.
- Review for Consistency: Regularly audit your site to make sure all
<a href>
links point to actual pages, not standalone resources. - Add Alt Text for Accessibility: Always include descriptive
alt
attributes for images to improve SEO and accessibility.
Tip: Structuring links correctly helps search engines understand your site and improves user experience.