The Google Forum

**cbeaudin** · 05-29-2008, 12:57 AM

I use images on a few of my sites for headers to make it look a bit better and its set up like this.

HTML Code:

<h1>
<img src="piclink.jpg" alt="Exactly what the picture says" />
<span style="display:none">Exactly what the picture says</span>
</h1>

So the question is will google still see this text as a heading and can i be penalized for having "hidden" content or am i aloud to do this?

Thank you for any replies.

**shabbirbhimani** · 05-29-2008, 05:26 AM

To be on the safe side avoid doing this. Using the alt text is anyway saying the same thing.

**chrishirst** · 05-29-2008, 08:17 AM

The intent of doing this is SE deception, so it is a risk.

There is every chance you will be perfectly Ok with it and it will have the effect you assume it might. ...

... But then one day in the future icon_smiley_flush2.gif bigeyes.gif omg.gif

**Jaguar.X.05** · 05-29-2008, 09:52 AM

Its is hard to take the risk unless its your own site and willing to take it.

**djura** · 05-29-2008, 10:41 AM

What is the purpose of hidden element? Chris and Shabbir are absolutely right.
It is a hidden content and you will be penalized, if noticed.

**northbeach23** · 06-13-2008, 03:59 AM

Its better not to do it than to penalized.

**dave9713** · 06-13-2008, 05:50 AM

As far as I am aware it is fine to do image replacement for the page logo as long as it is genuine.

See it used all the time... an example is http://www.army.mil/

**webcosmo** · 06-13-2008, 12:20 PM

Thats called Cloaking; having different content for visitor and bots. Its well-known black hat SEO technique.

I would suggest not doing this; chances are very high your site would get penalized.

**chrishirst** · 06-13-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave9713

As far as I am aware it is fine to do image replacement for the page logo as long as it is genuine.

See it used all the time... an example is http://www.army.mil/

Yep, when used correctly, it is a perfectly legitimate technique and is not likely to confuse anyone as to it's purpose. But using it to stuff another heading in there is NOT exact legitimate and leaves little doubt what it is intended for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by webcosmo

Thats called Cloaking; having different content for visitor and bots. Its well-known black hat SEO technique.

I would suggest not doing this; chances are very high your site would get penalized.

Total rubbish. It is NOT NOT NOT NOT cloaking!