[uf-new] Microformats for hidden data

Martin McEvoy martin at weborganics.co.uk
Fri Nov 27 04:31:56 PST 2009


Hello Brian, All

Brian Suda wrote:
...
> Search engines took the first approach. None that i know
> of still utilize the meta keyword element. It was hidden data, it
> drifted from reality, and wasn´t reliable (but it was everywhere).
> Instead they look at rel-tag and visible data (who knows their
> algorithms might even punish or ignore display:none) and use the more
> trustworthy data instead.
>   

As far as search engines go Google *may* punish you for hidden data ( 
particularly for links and keywords ) because as Brian said hidden data 
on your website is perceived as untrustworthy. Google webmaster 
guidelines says this (amongst other things)...

"If you do find hidden text or links on your site, either remove them 
or, if they are relevant for your site's visitors, make them easily 
viewable."

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=66353

So really hidden data is not good for the web in general not just 
microformats.

Microformats are all about what you can see...and not at all about what 
you cant.

Thanks

-- 
Martin McEvoy

WebOrganics http://weborganics.co.uk/
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