SEO Tycoon

**aron111** · 10:44 AM

Well I have heard that google had started indexing the flash content. I've also heard that it has been done for the past few years....

My question is that even if google index the site, it will be considered as a huge HTML page, What is the scope of optimizing the flash site??

thanks,

**bigcat1967** · 02-10-2010, 09:40 AM

I heard the same thing. But I think you have to still be careful on how you optimize it. There is a way - not quite sure though.

...and I believe Google has always been able to optimize Flash, but you had to optimize it differently than a regular HTML page.

All hear say though - not sure what I can believe anymore.

**chrishirst** · 02-10-2010, 10:45 AM

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogsp...-indexing.html

**VirtuosiMedia** · 02-10-2010, 11:11 AM

Your best bet is still not using Flash as anything but an accessory to your website. Consider:

There are no unique URLs in Flash. This is a usability issue.
The back button is broken which presents further usability issues.
Screenreaders can't handle it which is an accessibility issue.
It's often a large file download which causes users to wait while it loads. Many don't wait.
Many mobile browsers, most notably the iPhone, don't support Flash.

**edgray** · 02-10-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirtuosiMedia

Your best bet is still not using Flash as anything but an accessory to your website. Consider:

There are no unique URLs in Flash. This is a usability issue.
The back button is broken which presents further usability issues.
Screenreaders can't handle it which is an accessibility issue.
It's often a large file download which causes users to wait while it loads. Many don't wait.
Many mobile browsers, most notably the iPhone, don't support Flash.

There are applications out there that can create URLs for "pages" within a Flash movie. I have a friend who's an Adobe certified Flash Trainer and you'd be amazed at what you can do with flash when you know how.

That said, I don't really like it myself, I think the future of Flash is in application writing. This friend of mine actually never uses the timeline in flash, no animation or anything - he uses it as a powerful coding language to create online applications.

For standard websites, stick with HTML or use Flash only when absolutely necessary.

Also, use SWFObject to provide an HTML replacement.

**chrishirst** · 02-10-2010, 11:55 AM

I have to agree there, it is an amazing tool when used PROPERLY. It's just that far too many people think they can download it from some file ~~stealing~~ sharing site and become an expert in their lunch break.

**edgray** · 02-10-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

I have to agree there, it is an amazing tool when used PROPERLY. It's just that far too many people think they can download it from some file ~~stealing~~ sharing site and become an expert in their lunch break.

I think it's going to move from being a tool to make websites and more into an application development platform. Flex builder and really shows what's possible with it, and I've recently been reading about a lot of people building iPhone apps with it.

Actually, out of interest, how many people here navigate off a page when confronted with a Flash loading bar? Unless I know the exact content of the destination site I never bother waiting.

**chrishirst** · 02-10-2010, 12:36 PM

I'll stay if I really HAVE to, but otherwise I'm gone

**blue-dreamer** · 02-10-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgray

Actually, out of interest, how many people here navigate off a page when confronted with a Flash loading bar? Unless I know the exact content of the destination site I never bother waiting.

If the page has nothing but flash I'll usually leave, the only exceptions being if I've specifically clicked through to play a game, watch a video or view a presentation of some sort.

If it's just something like a flashy header then my eyes usually bypass it and go straight for the main page heading and text content.