SEO and Flash 3.0
Progressive enhancement is an approach where core content and functionality must be available to all users through basic HTML and CSS, while enhanced features like Flash, JavaScript, and richer formatting can be optionally loaded to provide richer experiences to browsers that support them. This helps sites work for all users, including search engines that may not be able to see Flash or execute scripts. Tools like NoScript can help test how sites look without scripts. Methods like SWFObject allow replacing HTML content with Flash movies while keeping the same HTML content available for search engines and non-Flash users. It is important to use these techniques properly and not rely solely on Flash to avoid search engine and accessibility issues.
SEO and Flash 3.0
- 1. SEO and Flash Jonathan Hochman www.HochmanConsultants.com
- 2. Progressive Enhancement Core content and functionality must be available to all users Browsers with additional capabilities can enjoy enhanced formatting (CSS), content (Flash), and functionality (JavaScript) Enhanced features are loaded from external files, if needed. This conserves bandwidth. Sites that use PE are better prepared for SEO because of excellent accessibility.
- 3. Tool: NoScript for Firefox Blocks all client side scripts: JavaScript/AJAX, Flash, Silverlight. Safely view pages with malicious code. See pages the way bots do. Find out if content is accessible.
- 4. Replace HTML content with rich media Via the Document Object Model (DOM) Open source solutions for Flash: SWFobject() 2.0 is general purpose sIFR (scalable Inman Flash Replacement) is for creating fancy fonts and headings. Modern Coding Methods
- 6. SWFobject() Detects if browser supports Flash Replaces a specified container, such as <div id=“MyMovie”> <!-- HTML content goes here --> </div> with Flash content. Apply usual SEO tactics to the HTML. Make sure the HTML text = the Flash Text
- 7. A site using SWFobject()
- 8. Good: Flash deployed via swfobject() with plain HTML content available for spiders and users who lack Flash support. Bad: Needs images and CSS styles. Scripts Disabled
- 10. www.gillette.com – Cache at Google Check the cache to uncover potential indexing issues. If content is in the cache, Google has seen it.
- 11. A risk: Cloaking Do not stuff keywords into the text! Do not add HTML content that is not visible in the Flash!
- 12. Tips for Flash Applications HTML content generated by server side scripts (PHP, ASP.NET, Cold Fusion) can use the same data source as Flash. Using same data source reduces risks and maintenance costs. swfAddress() can provide deep linking within a Flash application.
- 13. WATCH OUT for search problems when Flash files get indexed Flash files are indexed separately from their host page. They can be dead ends if they lack navigation links. Could be a poor user experience to see just the Flash part of a page. Use robots.txt to block spiders from indexing Flash files.
- 14. Flash simplifies coding Use Flash to create menus, navigation elements and slide shows. Examples: http://www.namedevelopment.com/blog/ http ://www.jdfdistribution.com http://ts.jehochman.com pre-launch test site destined for http ://www.metfin.com
- 15. Millions of users, no Flash Make sure your site works for them too.
- 16. Progressive Enhancement (II) Mobile web is gaining market share. Savvy users block scripts for security, and to avoid ads. Search ‘bots have limited Flash ability. Better to feed them easy-to-digest HTML.
- 17. Questions? Jonathan Hochman www.HochmanConsultants.com @Jehochman