Flash SEO with SWFOBJECT "alternate content" - will google penalize?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by reaves_code1, Aug 6, 2009.

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  1. #1
    Hi,

    Can you help us out? We are a small design & marketing company, we build & host over 12 small websites built entirely in flash. We are considering utilizing SWFOBJECT for “alternate content” to get improved results. In our alternate content we are using keywords, links (internal) and information about the website itself but it’s really not similar to the flash content. Also the links in alternate content are not inside the flash but within our root account.
    So, we are unsure if this will help or if it’s considered black hat. Should we be concerned about being penalized by Google? Any thoughts on this?

    THANKS
    :)
     
    reaves_code1, Aug 6, 2009 IP
  2. bigcat1967

    bigcat1967 Active Member

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    #2
    Built entirely on flash? I heard this isn't the way to go when trying to optimize your site(s). But recently, I did hear that there are ways to SEO Flash sites.

    Can anyone help? I'd like to know as well.
     
    bigcat1967, Aug 6, 2009 IP
  3. xwishmasterx

    xwishmasterx Peon

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    #3
    I am pretty sure that search engine crawlers cannot "see" flash (as they only read the code of the page). Try using a spider simulator to test how the search engines would see the page.
     
    xwishmasterx, Aug 7, 2009 IP
  4. rumsfo

    rumsfo Well-Known Member

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    #4
    They DO see. But to have that happened you need to follow some instructions which SE give to the flash web sites. Do not know about others but I know google can do that
     
    rumsfo, Aug 7, 2009 IP
  5. xwishmasterx

    xwishmasterx Peon

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    #5
    So unless you take specific actions, SE doesn't seeflash content right?
     
    xwishmasterx, Aug 7, 2009 IP
  6. reaves_code1

    reaves_code1 Peon

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    #6
    Thankyou guys for responding to my question.
    I want to know if swfobject alternate content placement is considered blackhat or not ?
    We will be hosting over 20 flash sites on host gator and this might be a consern for us.
     
    reaves_code1, Aug 7, 2009 IP
  7. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #7
    A couple problems here. One, Google CAN now read Flash files - they just can't make heads or tails of the semantics of those files. Another thing is you said the content in the Flash files will not be the same as the alternative content. THAT will cause your site to be flagged for a manual review, and when they see the bait and switch, your sites will be most likely either penalized or outright banned.

    If you want to avoid that kind of search engine beatdown, make the content contextually similar to what's in the Flash files. Remember, the alternate content is supposed to be there for those users who cannot see the main content. They want the same information the others do, and search engines are users too. :)
     
    Dan Schulz, Aug 7, 2009 IP