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Is Google going to get mad at me?
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:42 pm
by Luke
I've got code like this this is display: none'd because the client HAS to have anti-aliased text: Is google going to kill me?
Code: Select all
<div id="philosophy-blurb" class="blurb"><p>At Company X, we believe our business activity should have a positive affect on all the communities we touch. From our beginnings over a decade ago, we have held ourselves accountable to make the choices that honor both people and the planet. This means respecting the culture and traditions of artisans around the world with fair trade practices, using only natural and organic fibers and being conscious of our business practices at home. We have seen firsthand how our choices can make a big difference for those communities involved in creating our clothing. </p></div>
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:49 pm
by John Cartwright
Anything in the markup that is not visualized will hurt you, but how much? Probably very little.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 4:44 pm
by superdezign
What do you use to determine if they have anti-aliased text...? Whatever it is, you could use it to ensure that the text isn't even created unless they've got it rather than hiding it if they don't.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:25 pm
by Arawn
What if the hidden text is reported to Google by a competitor? Do you think they might PR0 the site? What major car manufacturer did Google do that to? Didn't they have hidden text?
I'm full of questions today and no answers.

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:40 pm
by Luke
jcart wrote:Anything in the markup that is not visualized will hurt you, but how much? Probably very little.
signature:
OK
superdezigns wrote:What do you use to determine if they have anti-aliased text...? Whatever it is, you could use it to ensure that the text isn't even created unless they've got it rather than hiding it if they don't.
I think you misunderstand my question (my fault, I was in a hurry on the way out to a meeting when I posted). I am simply replacing the text with an image via css (background-image: url(image))
What if the hidden text is reported to Google by a competitor? Do you think they might PR0 the site? What major car manufacturer did Google do that to? Didn't they have hidden text?
Google is smarter than you think. They know the text is there, and they know it's hidden.
So I guess my new questions is: Is there any point in even providing the undisplayed text? Should I just use the image?
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:55 pm
by superdezign
Just use a regular image with the content in the alt text. Google will read it and it won't penalize you.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:12 pm
by Luke
hmm... that's a lot of text in the alt tag. I guess that's ok though...
EDIT, on second thought, I'd prefer to keep the image out of my markup since it is essentially presentational.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:22 pm
by superdezign
The Ninja Space Goat wrote:hmm... that's a lot of text in the alt tag. I guess that's ok though...
EDIT, on second thought, I'd prefer to keep the image out of my markup since it is essentially presentational.
Well, the only purpose of having the hidden one is for search engines, so you'll likely be penalized for it. Maybe if you hid it through Javascript (and displayed the image, simultaneously...?), I wouldn't see it being a problem. Maybe.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:50 pm
by AKA Panama Jack
Actually I don't think Google cares if it is hidden or not. Google searches the HTML file and tends to ignore class designations for anything. In otherwords the CSS is ignored so as far as Google is concerned and that text is visible even though the CSS makes it hidden.
I know I have performed Google searches and Google has found pages with what I am looking for hidden.

The search shows nothing when you go to the page but if you view the source and search for the text you were looking for it shows up. That's why I say Google ignores the CSS.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:55 pm
by Benjamin
Google can identify hidden text without pulling the style sheet.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:57 pm
by Luke
really? how's that?
EDIT: I found this... it doesn't say directly whether or not Google parses CSS
http://www.google.com/support/webmaster ... swer=66353
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:02 pm
by Benjamin
Well y'all know they are a creative bunch. I don't really want to say anything. Just think outside the box and watch your traffic closely. Especially on large websites.
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:17 pm
by Benjamin
Just read your edit...
HINT:
... look for anything that's not easily viewable by visitors of your site. ...
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:45 pm
by Luke
not sure what you're getting at. My browser parses css...

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:15 pm
by John Cartwright
AKA Panama Jack wrote:Actually I don't think Google cares if it is hidden or not. Google searches the HTML file and tends to ignore class designations for anything. In otherwords the CSS is ignored so as far as Google is concerned and that text is visible even though the CSS makes it hidden.
I know I have performed Google searches and Google has found pages with what I am looking for hidden.

The search shows nothing when you go to the page but if you view the source and search for the text you were looking for it shows up. That's why I say Google ignores the CSS.
I'll try and dig up where I've read that it's quite the opposite. I remember it relating to the prevention of sites trying to pack thousands of hidden keywords throughout their site.