Re: SEO and Flash

From: Tim O'Keefe <TimOKeefe_at_ascendedweb.com>
Date: Fri 31 Oct 2003 11:33:18 -0600

Teri-

The comment tags are next to useless for seo.
Think of perfect SEO being in text. There is a reason that the URL's start
at http://
(hyper text transfer protocol-notice it is text not picture or java, etc)

So the engine can only determine what the site is about via the text. SEO
goes in and manipulates the text in the proper areas so that it can reach
its objective of relevant results.

As we add the pretty elements that make for a nice website, we make it more
difficult for the search engine spider.

Thus, even though engines may claim to read flash or anything else, you will
be penalized a tad.
Remember pure text wins more points. But when you have javascript or flash
or a bunch of mostly gifs and jpegs, you make for more "junk" that is harder
for the engine to read. The spider reads left to right (like we do). The
more "junk" means the more work for the spider. The more work, the less you
will do in your final positions.

I know this certainly sounds more allegorical than science. However, what
is, is. Look at the SERPs for any keyword and you will not find much flash.

the engine knows people search for information, thus they give more points
towards sites that offer information. Information means text.

So what is the work around? Put text way below the fold (not elegant). Or
put it "behind" the flash. You are on the right track with the comments tag.
But the engines ignore that. There are other work arounds. Get your designer
to think about other ways to put text behind the flash.

Beware that some may call this technique spa*mmy. However, if it is
relevant, how can it be bad others might argue. Your call.

What we have touched on is optimization, however you need to remember that
optimization is only 1 of three equally important criteria for good
positioning. Your link building-off site criteria. This involves reputation
and the importance of the links pointing to you.

Tim O'Keefe
Spider Juice Technologies
"Elevating Your Web"
310-371-2363
Tim_at_SpiderJuiceTechnologies
www.Higher-Search-Engine-Rank.com




Received on Fri Oct 31 2003 - 11:33:18 CST