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Webmaster Forum / HTML, CSS, Scripts / CSS / March 2005Googlebot and Hidden Text
Hi: I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this issue. (I've been digging around everywhere and can't seem to find it by searching): I use the @import statement to attach an external style sheet on our site. I chose to use this technique rather than use the LINK tag because I wanted to hide the design from older browsers like NN4 and to present a clean, text-only version to JAWS and other accessibility screen readers. In the style sheet itself, I use the display:none attribute on the H1, H2, and H3 tags so that the copy within these tags won't appear in the version meant for those browsers that can interpret the @import statement (modern browsers). In NN4, however, the H1, H2, and H3 tags do appear, which helps to identify the pages of my site to this browser. My question is: does the Googlebot understand the @import statement? I know that use of the display:none attribute may not comply with Google's best practices, but if the Googlebot cannot read the style sheet, is it safe to use this technique? Thanks to anyone who can answer this question. Use text-indent: -5000px; I never use the display: none. I don't want Google to ban me or lower my PR.  SignatureBoost the visibility of your web site in Google! http://www.digitalpoint.com/tools/ad-network/?s=5203 Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/ http://www.auriance.com - http://www.auriance.net > Use text-indent: -5000px; > I never use the display: none. I don't want Google to ban me or lower > my PR. You think if it can be written to object to display: none it can't be written to object to text-ident: -large; ? I suspect, given that Googlebot doesn't download CSS files, it objects to neither. SignatureChris >> Use text-indent: -5000px; >> I never use the display: none. I don't want Google to ban me or lower >> my PR. > >You think if it can be written to object to display: none it can't be >written to object to text-ident: -large; ? I agree wrt Google. But think about screen readers - dual purpose browsers that display the page on screen and read it aloud (many use IE for the screen display). These often support media="screen" and so display: none; will hide the content from the screen reader as well as from purely visual browsers. OTOH the text-indent and similar techniques will only hide it from the visual browsers. >I suspect, given that Googlebot doesn't download CSS files, it objects >to neither. For now. ;-\ Steve Signature"My theories appal you, my heresies outrage you, I never answer letters and you don't like my tie." - The Doctor Steve Pugh <steve@pugh.net> <http://steve.pugh.net/> > I use the @import statement to attach an external style sheet on our > site. I chose to use this technique rather than use the LINK tag > because I wanted to hide the design from older browsers like NN4 and to > present a clean, text-only version to JAWS and other accessibility > screen readers. In what way are you doing it? Liking to an external style sheet, and it imports the additional styles? Or are you doing in-line styles in the HTML head? > My question is: does the Googlebot understand the @import statement? I > know that use of the display:none attribute may not comply with > Google's best practices, but if the Googlebot cannot read the style > sheet, is it safe to use this technique? So far as I'm aware it doesn't even look at stylesheets (my webserver logs don't show it accessing them, either). SignatureIf you insist on e-mailing me, use the reply-to address (it's real but temporary). But please reply to the group, like you're supposed to. This message was sent without a virus, please delete some files yourself. >> My question is: does the Googlebot understand the @import statement? I >> know that use of the display:none attribute may not comply with >> Google's best practices, but if the Googlebot cannot read the style >> sheet, is it safe to use this technique? > So far as I'm aware it doesn't even look at stylesheets (my webserver logs > don't show it accessing them, either). On my website (see sig ^^), I have comics, aka images containing text. I wanted the text to be indexed by google, or even be readable by no-visual browser, why not? I didn't feel like putting all the dialogues in the alt attribue. I felt it was too much text. Does Google read it anyway ? So I put it in a div with, in the css file a display:none, well google reads it and I can find my website just by searching for a quote of my comics. My inner geek is happy. http://www.google.fr/search?hl=fr&q=%22hand+gun%22+%22bull+attack%22 SignatureMy Webcomic: www.geeksworld.org -+- All my websites: manaworld.free.fr Slay-er? Chosen One. She who hangs out a lot in cemeteries? You're kidding. Ask around. Look it up: Slayer, comma the. -+- Buffy in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, 4x11 - It's in the dictionnary -+- On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 14:29:12 +1030, Tim wrote: >> So far as I'm aware it doesn't even look at stylesheets (my webserver logs >> don't show it accessing them, either). Salagir <Salagir@jeruCITEDELESPACE.org.invalid> posted: > On my website <http://www.geeksworld.org.> Hmm, the drawing styles reminds me of a cross between Tin Tin, Marineboy, and some manga. ;-) > I have comics, aka images containing text. > I wanted the text to be indexed by google, or even be readable by > no-visual browser, why not? > > I didn't feel like putting all the dialogues in the alt attribue. I felt > it was too much text. The ALT text is an alternative for the image. In some cases, it's going to be the only way to understand images, so it should contain useful content. In some cases the surrounding text (such as your CSS hidden text) does the same task and the images are purely illustrative, and don't really need any ALT text. For something like a comic I probably wouldn't worry about it and do it like you've described. The chances are that the ALT text couldn't really do it in a coherent manner, anyway, particularly with multiple characters saying something in a cell. > Does Google read it anyway ? > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > http://www.google.fr/search?hl=fr&q=%22hand+gun%22+%22bull+attack%22 I think they only Googling problem with display:none; was with in-line styles, where Google will see it (I see no evidence of Google reading external stylesheets). Likewise for doing white text on white, etc. SignatureIf you insist on e-mailing me, use the reply-to address (it's real but temporary). But please reply to the group, like you're supposed to. This message was sent without a virus, please delete some files yourself. |
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