Proof that 'title' attribute is indexed

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by gdymov, May 21, 2006.

  1. #1
    Today, I found evidence that the 'title' attribute is indexed, by performing some searches on Google. So now I strongly recommend using this tag, because even if the "weight" of it is low, apparently it is considered, and this can change in the future.

    This has been recently discussed here and here, but nobody has been able to provide proof that the 'title' attribute of <a> tags really is considered by Google.

    You can read about the evidence on my blog "google indexes title attribute".
     
    gdymov, May 21, 2006 IP
  2. lorien1973

    lorien1973 Notable Member

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    #2
    lorien1973, May 21, 2006 IP
  3. gdymov

    gdymov Peon

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    #3
    What does the page you mention have to do with codex.wordpress.org/Plugins/Statistics ?

    I don't get your point.
     
    gdymov, May 21, 2006 IP
  4. Savant

    Savant Peon

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    #4
    Good find, Im not sure if this has been seen before, but I am a little confused at why you "strongly recommend" using this tag if it is indexed. If you a link, you should have the phrase or keyword that describes the page right in the link. If you add a title with the same words, I would think it is borderline keyword stuffing. If you use a different phrase, it might spread your weight out too thin.
     
    Savant, May 21, 2006 IP
  5. gdymov

    gdymov Peon

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    #5
    The point I'm making is that if it is indexed, then it is probably considered, and then why not use it? I can't see any reason why google would penalize the use of the title attrib.

    Besides, I don't think it would be keyword stuffing if you put the same (as long as the anchor remains resonable and isn't stuffed), but you can always use a plural form or smth slightly different, like cheap-cheapest etc.
     
    gdymov, May 21, 2006 IP
  6. CReed

    CReed Prominent Member

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    #6
    The "text" gdymov.com does appear on the page - look at the text only version of the page:

    http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins/Statistics&hl=en&strip=1

    If the title attribute was actually indexed and weighted, the same page you reference should be returned when you search for:

    "About the WordPress Organization, and where we're going."

    From the source code:

    <a href="http://wordpress.org/about/" title="About the WordPress Organization, and where we're going.">About</a>

    If you stil believe the title attribute is indexed and weighted, make up a nonsensical word or phrase, use it for the title attribute of a text link and search for the exact word or phrase once the page is indexed.
     
    CReed, May 21, 2006 IP
    gdymov likes this.
  7. gdymov

    gdymov Peon

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    #7
    CReed: you are perfectly right. I never even though about that the Wordpress site might use cloaking (because that is what it is), so I didn't check the source, just the page. Anyway, I will do some more research in the field.

    Sorry everybody.
     
    gdymov, May 22, 2006 IP