Text indent -9999px on logo, is it bad??

[i-kreo]

I saw a question on this forum that was saying that text-indent -9999px was bad SEO, or even worse blackhat seo...

But isn't it what everyone is doing for image replacement in logos...?

Is it really bad?

[AdamThompson]

Using text-indent to hide text is definitely bad for SEO. It's a common blackhat tactic, so you want to avoid it, even if you have a legitimate use for it.

As to how you should include the text of your logo, Google prefers you use the alt tag. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBLvn_WkDJ4

[i-kreo]

thanks for your reply...

It's funny to hear that, when everyone ..even on lynda.com says you should use text indent and background images for a logo or header..

so you're saying that I should use an anchor tag and then an image with alt attribute as logo?

[AdamThompson]

"anchor tag and then an image with alt attribute as logo"

That is what Matt Cutts says Google prefers, yes.

[RodneyRiley]

Ideally it should not be used on a logo because as others have said here it is a bit black hat and an alt would be preferable. but it is often used as part of css menu systems with no ill effect.

http://www.htmldog.com/articles/suckerfish/dropdowns/

Is a perfect example of a widely used menu system that is build around text shunted off  the page until it is the focus.