In what situations is it advisable to avoid using tables and instead format links as blocks with images as backgrounds in PHP?

When you need to create a responsive design or when you want to improve the loading speed of your website, it is advisable to avoid using tables and instead format links as blocks with images as backgrounds in PHP. This approach allows for better control over the layout and styling of the links, making them more adaptable to different screen sizes and devices.

<style>
    .link {
        display: block;
        width: 200px;
        height: 100px;
        background-image: url('image.jpg');
        background-size: cover;
        text-align: center;
        line-height: 100px;
        color: white;
        text-decoration: none;
    }
</style>

<a href="#" class="link">Link Text</a>