The relation of Flash and SEO could be a disuniting topic. I found a combination of confused, angry and excited looks after just putting a single thought of flash during my discussion with our clients about their SEO initiatives.

It is almost admitted that the flash can’t be so good if you are willing to use it for SEO. There are thousands of website who has employed
flash content and failed to get the proper results. But, I really want to make a big shout here as I am not at all agree with such assumption.

Today, I will try to introduce you with the prowess of flash and SEO. We have a panoramic background for flash development as we have developed number of flash applications and movies. It is been engrossing to excavate intensely into
FSEO (Flash SEO) to check how it has bloomed. I have also been massively analyzing and testing how the search engines index the flash files (SWF files).

June 2008: Improved Indexing for Flash

On June 2008, there was an announcement from Adobe that its working with Yahoo and Google to
improve flash indexing. At the time, I was about to analyze and test how the search engines were indexing the flash part.

For the clarification, Google was already indexing the SWF files before this partnership, but not working with Adobe for improving and streamlining the process. My target since this announcement was to find out how the search engines index flash part, the best practices to follow when bringing out flash content, what things to look about for develop some more flash content.

So now Google is indexing flash, forget SEO and create everything with flash! But wait, take a moment. I memorize a comment of a flash professional on a blog post for flash SEO, It was like “Now this post is immaterial! Google is crawling Flash!”. My instant reaction on that was “Just hold on a moment buddy.” The things have not been consummated yet, and in fact, it was just an announcement! I was true and that was not perfected yet. The step was in the proper direction, but the factors affecting to crawl the flash were different, identically how you publicize the flash content.

Actually, all the flash part was apparently not being crawled or indexed; hence it might be hasty to think we could neglect providing the search engines with optional HTML content (the best practice for SEO). It is quite premature to think Yahoo and Google will instantaneously crawl or index all the flash on web.

At the time (July 2008), Google was already indexing the SWF files, with some limitations. As an example, the Google search engine was not crawling or indexing the SWF files publicized using some famous JavaScript-based methods. At that time, the flash files belonging to you weren’t being indexed and crawled, If you were one of the flash professionals using JavaScript to publicize the flash movies,. The work was in progress.

Flash Indexing: More Concerns

But, there are concerns which won’t stop with JavaScript publicizing methods. I was wondering what type of the content within the flash files was getting crawled and indexed? Was that only static text within flash files, dynamically loaded flash files, imported XML, FLV files, Action-Script code, text files, etc? Was Google searching and following links of flash files? Did flash files build PR (PageRank)? Did the links within flash files pass PageRank? What for no-follow? What for text that has broken during artwork of flash? Was the code being crawled or indexed?

The flash application is not so simple as we think. It is definitely tortuous (think static text, code, dynamic text, photos, object oriented code, videos, vectors, etc.) Gratuitous to say, I really had a bundle of questions.

Not Put A Back Step As The Flash Developers

There was a part of that announcement which really pinched me. Precisely, the actively loaded content should not be assorted with the parent flash movie (like XML, txt, etc.). I was interested because that was a general way for established flash developers to weigh their content. And in addition, actively loaded flash files should not be assorted with the parent flash movie.

Most flash designers and developers believe that breaking up the flash movies into adjustable pieces is crucial for keeping the scalability up and file-size down.

As per the explanation I give above, how could that announcement about crawling and indexing flash file content affect the best practices in developing flash? Should developers initialize loading content within single SWF rather than logically breaking the content apart? Should they avoid using XML data and deluge the parent flash with text? What to do about spammers? Could spammers make use of how the flash was being crawled or indexed? What should rank? Should the flash file rank or the parent web-page, or both?

These all questions were valid and that is why I admit that testing is crucial.

The Status Of Flash When Comes To Crawling And Indexing?

Deep inside my search, I was able to find that Google was crawling and indexing the flash content publicized using embed tags and object (known as “twice cooked” method). I also observed that SWFObject 2.x performing static publishing method (standards-compliant) was producing strong results. SWFObject 1.x depending on the JavaScript was neither getting indexed nor using external JavaScript to publicize the flash content. I noticed that actively loaded flash files were not getting assorted with parent flash movie (Google stated it in blog post).

As the time went on, Google started to support other forms of the JavaScript-based publicizing, I found more flash content being crawled and indexed, though it was quite tough to find why only some particular pieces of the flash content were being indexed and why others were not. In face, I saw that more JavaScript publicizing methods were getting indexed in the Google search engine, I also examined some websites that were not getting indexed for any of their flash content.

Some Commentary, Guidance and Findings

• Flash Indexing: Yahoo Is Behind Google ( Where is Microsoft?)

One finding is that Yahoo seems behind Google, if it comes to
indexing flash. I cannot tell why that is the case, but comparing website to website, and flash to flash, Google always did a complete job. If you have not noticed, Microsoft has not been a part of this. That is because they were not a part of this partnership with Adobe which was announced last July. I hope that Microsoft (also other search engines) will finally work with Adobe for crawling and indexing flash content. There is simply too much flash on internet to avoid crawling and indexing it! I can tell, Microsoft is neither crawling nor indexing flash.

• Text Content

I have found text content crawled and indexed from static and dynamic text fields. Using dynamic text fields, I saw some text indexed which was set using ActionScript variables. I could not find the text loaded with XML assorted with parent flash movie. Similar for dynamically loaded txt files. I have seen the text content from the components indexed. Text within the other SWF files which were loaded dynamically was not assorted with parent flash movie. They were crawled or indexed and assorted with its own flash movie. One more time, I think it will change, many of developers use such technique to get ensure that the flash movies are scalable.

External Files Loaded Into Flash

As Google mentioned in its post of June 200, I observed that Google was not annexing the parent flash movie with the dynamically loaded flash files. That considers other XML files, TXT files and SWF files. I have noticed separate XML files indexed though. Google is not indexing or crawling the FLV files, if an FLV file is not containing text in it. Now, you can enclose meta data into the FLV files, and the data can be employed programmatically into the flash, but it’s not being indexed or crawled by the search engines. The popularity of flash videos is getting increased day by day, So I must expect the search engines to bring out the better ways to crawl and index the flash videos. No need to say anything, I will definitely keep a close eye on its progress.

Here are the listing of flash publishing methods.

• Object and Embed

• A Quick Introduction to SWFObject

  • SWFObject 1.x (Older version of SWFObject)

  • SWFObject 2.x (dynamic delivery)

  • SWFObject 2.x (static delivery)

• External JavaScript

• Straight SWF

Links

I have received a bunch of questions about the relation of links and flash content. It is definitely an important topic for the most Search Engine Optimizers. I have observed the links followed within flash movies, including links in dynamic text fields, text fields and also in ActionScript. About nofollow, Google mentioned in their announcement (June 2008) that Google will value nofollow in the flash. Thus, you can employ it where possible. Since links are followed, people in the IT industry have amazed how it can be played. I have also expressed my anxieties about both the keyword stuffing and gaming the links.

One more time, flash is a multifarious tool and there can be ways that the black hat developers can try and play with the system. Of course, It is not easy to implement. I think the time will tell who try and play with the flash system and how the search engines react.

I know, this post is quite long and I hope you have stuck with me to the end! I hope it also helped you to understand more
flash indexing and how to proceed the best. Again, I am expecting this to evolved completely and become more transparent for both the Flash and SEO communities.

More Useful Links:-

Professional Seo Company | Internet Marketing Services | Website Designer UK

At present, Google’s new infrastructure is under the canopy of current Google search engine. So it means that if you are going to have it for a spin, it may be possible that you cannot find any differences in the search results. Although if you want to compare the results you will find a major difference in the result volume.

For an example, searching for "search engine optimization" on Google’s current search engine and Google’s new search infrastructure, the later it will produce more results. I have found that the new infrastructure of Google is providing the search results quite faster and more accurate than the present search engine of Google.

You can experience the new infrastructure of Google search engine with the following:

http://www2.sandbox.google.com.

That is in our interest to ride the wave of optimism despite the current global financial meltdown.

SEO(“Search Engine Optimization” a process to get good ranking in search engines) provides a stand to entrepreneurs, businessmen as well as individuals to boost their business around the globe; it is the most affordable way to advance your business. We must alter our SEO bent in order to vanquish this adversity.

Searches concentrated on quality, value and price-sensitivity

In current period, it is compulsory that you must have a proper understanding of what people have in their mind when finding for your services or products (or those of your clients). So you must presume yourself as an imaginary searcher and then develop the keywords. Financial products, consumer goods, utility services and the like will see an upswing in popularity for searches pointing a higher degree of the price sensitivity. Look at the phrases which integrate these terms, as well as modifiers like “buy online”, “specials”, “sale” (related with better value in many areas) and so on. Key phrases such as “low-cost”, “discount”, “affordable” can draw quality traffic to the website in this cost-cutting period.

Accentuation on measurable results

Unlike the conventional method of marketing, which lacks tracking results, online marketing ( Email marketing and PPC etc.) provides detailed report of each click, so that you can alter your strategy and make more beneficial decisions.

Strategy for Long duration

SEO is a strategy for long duration, unlike PPC (Pay Per Click) which serves you with immediate results, so if you have began with SEO for your organization, by the time other organizations will also start putting their feet into the market you must be settled and then definitely it will provide you good returns that time.

In summary, be sure that you recognize your target audience, evolution is good but stability during crisis is much better. Just looking for greener grass instead of leaning your yard can leave your marketing plan exhausted and out of focus. It is better to have 10% of something than 90% of nothing, so be sure before expanding your area of the market to expect new prospects, you harvest the equity of the presence and authority you have built up in your primary portico.

Wholesome margin is the base line, so if you are having it, then this information is not nearly as pivotal as it’s for those who are experiencing the affection of a pining economical crisis in the industry. SEO is a legal and effective solution, but also being aware of the circumstances and tactics that effect everyone in an economy can throw light on why sometimes it is more fertile than others. The key is not to get confused and diversify your trends to spread the reward and risk for your online promotion.

It may tremendously help those users, who really have some suspected keywords about which they are having only some little knowledge. As per my separate view, I believe that Google Wonder Wheel can provide an excellent path to the users which can direct them to their stringent destination.

With the result flash of your search, Google is also providing list of related search results on the right area of web page. They also get updated with every new search. I have got an unique experience with this Google’s new feature. You too make an attempt to drive Google’s Wonder Wheel and find how extra ordinary it is?

Want to have a look of Google Wonder Wheel? Lets do it. Put your search keyword in its place and make a search, then click on “Show options…” which is marked with a red circle. As an example, I am putting my keyword ‘search engine optimization‘.

Now click on ‘Wonder wheel’ marked on bottom left of the page.

I am getting this result with 8 related keywords. The one I searched in center.

A single click on one of the related search will draw me to another wheel as below. Here I have clicked on ‘seo company‘.

I can go further as per my requirement until I get my desire output.

All searches performed by us will be bounded with each other in the same manner as we have searched them. Hence for me, Google has shown its glory one more time by adding such a Wonderful functionality.

The market research firm comScore’s latest analysis says Google has succeed at US search market with leading 64.2 per cent of the searches performed compare with Microsoft’s 8.2 per cent. I can say competition was quite tough. But now Microsoft has revealed its new search engine ‘Bing’. The name ‘Bing’ was finalized by Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer. It may be an endeavour to compete the lustre of Google. I can say now it will be the diachronic war between Microsoft and Google in internet search market. Microsoft has made a loin attack by introducing their weapon ‘Bing’.

As per company announcement the Bing will initialize to get spread over coming days and will scattered globally on June 3. Steve Ballmer, the chief executive officer of Microsoft have said “Today, search engines do a decent job of helping people navigate the web and find information, but they don’t do a very good job of enabling people to use the information they find.”

Microsoft have said Bing will initially focused on travel, shopping, local business and health regarding search areas where users need more succour in taking proper decision. The Microsoft has miles to go to expand their shares in the market of internet search.

Bing may be the valuable primary step in the long term endeavour to serve fresh creations that allow users to find details faster and utilize them to achieve tasks and have intelligent decision. As google is getting used as a verb now, Microsoft wants next generation to ask for ‘Bing’. The Bing has provided me some excellent services like videos are playable on the current result page. I was not supposed to leave the page as I do normally. In Weather forecast service it provides me five days forecasts which deducts the link to another page. It means Bing is reducing the number of users leaving the site because of certain reasons. There are also some another services but not all I wanted.

Bing comes with the tag line “Bing and Decide”, so It will be better known as Decision Engine rather than Search Engine.

My experience with Bing was hunky-dory and enough lustrous. I hope you too enjoy this new innovation of Microsoft. But I am still finding something best to come which can serve me the exact results and cut-out the rest. I am still having a hope for that, lets see what Google Wave comes with.

Although we would have discussed on this time and again on various sub-categories
of this very topic, HTML validation is still found to be the most overlooked process in the whole method of website design. In fact, this should be on top of the checklist for every Web Designer. We have tried to highlight few merits and myths associated with HTML validation which might assist you in validating HTML on your website.

About the Standards set by The World Wide Web Consortium

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C, http://www.w3c.org)
was established to promote the use of web which is accessible to each and every type of individuals irrespective of culture, education, country, ability, economical conditions, language and any physical conditions. It works to develop common protocols for web which promotes its growth and ensures the interoperability.

Why Validation should be required?

HTML Validation is a process of verifying your code against formal set standards. Whether it complies with that or not?Very few web designers would agree that validation is absolutely necessary as it has become habit for any web designer to overlook those HTML validation errors. They even tend to defend in terms of SEO that Google knows about this and Google Search engine even ignores those errors. However, Validation is never a bad idea. The greatest of all benefits is that it even helps to load the page faster, instead of searching for unfinished string of table or other tag, it simply moves forward without throwing exception.One should think of saving and addition of that little extra time which make the pages to load faster. This should form the basis of habit to code with correct use of syntax while HTML coding for any web designer. Once you have got through how HTML actually works, than it would be surely a cake-walk.

Few of the common HTML/XHTML validation errors are listed here:

§ Improper Nesting of Tags

This is a one of the very common error. One should ensure to close tags in the reverse of the order you opened them. For example;

<xyz><abc>your content</abc></xyz>.

§ Missing Alt Tags

You should include alt tags for all your images with a text description so that visitors will still know what the image is about even if they turn off viewing images in their browser.

§ Improper closing of Tags

Just for example <p>your paragraph<p>.Here the end tag should be </p>The above would be validated in HTML, but not XHTML.

Incorporating HTML validation would make it easier for:

- Crawlers (web spider) of various search engines to index your web pages

- To load your webpages faster

- Ensure to make your webpages compatible to be accessed through other devicesthat surf the Web.

- To check through validator about your coding errors.

Ensuring Validation with reference to your Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

In case of any errors in CSS, the layout
of web pages will be affected which would not allow the website to be viewed
correctly in any of the main browsers.

Ensuring Validation with reference to your links

When web crawlers (spiders) cannot index the links on your website they would not be able to find your webpage which might be rich in your targeted keywords. Other than this it would also frustrate your visitors while searching for corresponding information after clicking that link. This would in turn affect your search engine rankings.

The primary goal of every Web Designer should be to ensure an easy website navigation experience to accommodate slightest hiccups of common visitors which can arise due to errors arising out of improper HTML validation while the page is loaded. The obvious question which arises here is how can you call yourself a Web Designer if you produce a pretty web page without professional HTML code? Wouldn’t that make you a Graphic Designer?

Incorporating the valid HTML code ensures that you are meeting the expectations of both the users as well as your clients. It’s never late to make this a habit – Validate your HTML code starting today!

Yahoo! Web Analytics

Although every link on the above URL says “Coming Soon” in every other category; it surely tries to show that they are trying to come up with something big and competing and are up to their sleeves to prove themselves to be genuine rival to Google’s own Reporting Structure of Google Analytics.

Google Analytics

As Yahoo announced, that Yahoo Web Analytics will be culminated form of Index Tools in its very own style.

Yahoo! Web Analytics is planning to cater its analytics tool in 3 major categories namely for Small Businesses, Custom Microsites and Developers which would provide real-time insight into visitor behavior on your website. Along with other features competing with Google Analytics, Yahoo Web Analytics would also try to deliver with powerful and flexible tools and dashboards which would help online marketers, website designers and Website Developers to enhance the visitor experience, increase sales revenue with reduced marketing costs.

As we know there are numerous marketing tools on Internet but what drew our attention specifically is the provision to make custom designed reports to track down on information which you intend to monitor specifically. We have used Google Analytics for several presentations so far for many of our clientele worldwide, but we have always felt that we can still get more over here or something over there like complete customisation of each report. Let’s hope if Yahoo Analytics can fill this gap. You can find out more about the features at:

http://web.analytics.yahoo.com/features.php

Yahoo! Web Analytics

Right now only previous Index Tools users can access the system. Well probably they must be familiar with this too more often. But whether we would get a serious rival to Google Analytics in form of Yahoo Analytics is a big question to come up. Time would tell the rest of the story of Who would be the Best and How ? Let’s hope when it is rolled out to general public and we can have full judgmental review about the product.

We can certainly hope that the end-user would be benefited. General Users can expect to receive better ROI (Return on Investment) in terms of marketing cost by using Yahoo Web Analytics. Well, Google Analytics Guys are listening too and they might be preparing themselves to pick up this challenge too, Are they listening,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

What is U Rank ?

U Rank is an endeavor of Research Team at Microsoft which would allow people in social network to organize, edit and annotate search results along with sharing information with other members of Social Network.

As we know, finding something on the web is only the initial few things to start with among many tasks. Hence to help these people in exploring a topic further as well as comparing the searched information, maintaining the track of what they are learning and sharing with others, U Rank is supposed to bring general help for those who want to organize, annotate, remember and share search results.

U Rank is an attempt by Microsoft to learn more about how we use these technologies so that the zest to innovate keeps on going.

There would be obvious question in our mind that OK that’s something great.

But, how is this U Rank going to be good for us ?

• To create near to perfect search results. (That is enhanced search results with addition of images and video for added context)
• Maintaining your To-Do Lists : It keeps tabs on your search research (airline and hotel booking in that city for my next trip, which camera model to choose, etc)
• Annotate Search Results : You can write you own comments about that particular search results under that URL
• You have your personal control over the priority of search results irrespective of what Search Engine has brought for you. (That is you can move your favorite sites up; and put an “!” in front of the query and go straight to the top result)
• Sharing and Collaborating: You can share URLs with your friends and discuss “assignments”, “books”, “project related information”.
• Recommendations: You can tell your friends about your best books, restaurants, camera models, new technology etc.

You can know more about U Rank at http://research.microsoft.com/projects/urank/

People at Google surely have got competitor to deal with. Let Us hope we get our best.