[Sigia-l] CSS and impact on search

[Todd R.Warfel]

I've got a question on CSS/HTML and search engine placement. The 
question is regarding using CSS's display: none; as a method to include 
links in a page and whether or not that would impact the search engine 
placement (Google specifically).

The scenario is a search interaction for a website that uses a 
scrolling text box to select a state w/a "next" button vs. just text 
links for the states - this is one step in the "search/filter" process. 
One of the people involved in the project believes that using text 
links for states improves their Google rank and moving to a drop down 
menu or scrolling text box will have a negative impact on the search 
results.

We're considering using a hidden div to duplicate the items in the 
scrolling text box as text links. The user/customer would see the 
scrolling text box, but the search engines could see the text links 
first in the source code, then a list of <options> in the scrolling 
text box.

The client is concerned that Google will somehow look at their CSS file 
to determine that we're trying to "trick" Google or Spam the search 
engine and get penalized.

Two questions:
1) Is there any validity to their concern? I mean really, not 
hypothetically.
2) Does anyone know if the text links vs. <option> has an impact on 
search engine results, and if so what? Can you point me to any 
resources?

Have you ever come across anything like this? Do you know where I can 
find more info about it?

Cheers!

Todd R. Warfel
Partner, Design & Usability Specialist
MessageFirst | making products easier to use
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E: 		twarfel at messagefirst.com
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