Bold or Strong?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by Italianhawk, Feb 8, 2010.

  1. #1
    Which tags are better in terms of SEO? <b> or <strong>? My guess would be <b>, but maybe they are equal. I've never read anything about <strong> being helpful, always read it <b> being the more helpful.

    It has the same effect though, bolded text. Just curious if one or the other is more beneficial.
     
    Italianhawk, Feb 8, 2010 IP
  2. Revelations-Decoder

    Revelations-Decoder Well-Known Member

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    #2
    bold is good - italics to in the right context - strong is probably similar but can't say I use it - Can test it to see if you like?
     
    Revelations-Decoder, Feb 8, 2010 IP
  3. Italianhawk

    Italianhawk Member

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    #3
    I would be interested in a test if you'd be willing to do one. I don't know how I'd be able to do one myself so I'd be curious to see what your test would show.
     
    Italianhawk, Feb 8, 2010 IP
  4. Revelations-Decoder

    Revelations-Decoder Well-Known Member

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    #4
    OK will do so as soon as I remember tomorrow for the search term "who is the world's best SEO" (not a term I am really all that worried about)

    I am on the foot of page 1 on Google.co.uk presently so will change all the "bold" to strong and see what happens over the following days - Remind me if I forget though as it's 2.17am here and am off to bed soon
     
    Revelations-Decoder, Feb 8, 2010 IP
  5. Get Inspired

    Get Inspired Peon

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    #5
    Does bold and strong look different in other browsers? I never understood the difference.
     
    Get Inspired, Feb 8, 2010 IP
  6. neiljhonson

    neiljhonson Peon

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    #6
    According to search engine optimization guidelines. You need to implement bold tag for updation. header tags are best after that you should move for bold tag.
     
    neiljhonson, Feb 8, 2010 IP
  7. seo555

    seo555 Peon

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    #7
    There is a difference between using what are referred to as logical tags and tags that primarily affect visual layout.

    If you use a <b> tag to make the text bold it does look bold.

    If you use a <strong> tag to make the text bold it also looks bold in most browsers.

    Stripped down to emphasize the important tags, the code for the two sentences above looks like this, with the significant tags in bright green:

    If you use a <b><b></b> tag to make the text <b>bold</b> it does look <b>bold</b>.

    If you use a <strong><strong></strong> tag to make the text <strong>bold</strong> it also looks <strong>bold</strong> in most browsers.

    Similarly, if you use the <i> tag to make text italic, it does look italic. And if you use the <em> tag to make text italic, it does look italic in most browsers.

    So why use <strong> instead of <b> to get the same effect when it takes longer to type? Why use <em> instead of <i> when they usually look the same?

    The <strong> and <em> tags are "logical" tags. This means that they are used deliberately when the designer wants to add emphasis to particular words or phrases. Some screen readers may use a different inflection when they come across these tags to communicate the emphasis. The <b> and <i> tags are primarily for visual effect on a page when designing layout.

    You can also use the <cite> tag at the beginning and end of a phrase. This is appropriate when citing a source without linking to it. Do not use it simply to make something look italic. Not all browsers render this material in italic text. It is more useful for browsers that are logically looking through your document to index references.<cite> Raggett on HTML 4, page 71</cite>

    Use the <strong> and <em> tags when the content of your page requires that certain words or phrases be stressed. Use them sparingly or your page, much as you would use exclamation points ( ! ! ! ). If you are only highlighting words for a visual effect to assist in navigation use the <b> and <i> tags.
     
    seo555, Feb 8, 2010 IP