Google Spider and css-hiden hrefs?

Is this true?

[asantos]

If i insert this code on a domain:

<a href="http://www.abcde.com/" style="display: none;">My ABCDE page</a>

Will Google Spider ignore it? or will it spider it?

[moishe]

It should get spidered.

The real danger here would be getting busted for hidden text on the site...

[asantos]

The thing is, its nothing illegal. Im just the site developer, and my company is ABCDE. My client doesnt want any "Developed by ABCDE" stuff so i thought i could get at least a hidden backlink.

What could happen if Google detects it? Who could get in trouble, my client or my ABCDE company?

[Cienwen]

Potentially both. If you get busted by Google for having hidden text, then ABCDE's website will be banned. That's bad for them. Even worse, they will probably find out that it was your fault and you will be liable. Any negative ramifications ABCDE receives could be held against you legally and in reputation.

Even if Google doesn’t bust them, what if they switch maintenance to another developer; they find your hidden link and tell ABCDE. That is also bad for your rep.

Honesty is probably the best and the safest.

Have you asked to have a small link just on their contact page?

[asantos]

Yes, but they dont want any content that isnt directly vinculated with their site.

I really dont mind about any factor that isnt Google. I was thinking about this alternative:

/sys.css with:
a.copyright { display: none; }

/robots.txt with:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /sys.css

/index.php with:
...
<a href="http://www.abcde.com/" class="copyright">ABCDE</a>
</body>
</html>

-- OR --

/index.php with:
...
<a href="http://www.abcde.com/" id="copyirhgt">ABCDE</a>
<script>document.getElementById('copyright').style.display = 'none';</script>
</body>
</html>

Do you think any of this alternatives could work?

[jessejump]

>>>>>> My client doesnt want any "Developed by ABCDE" stuff

Says it all. Don't be sneaky.

[asantos]

I only need to know if Google detects this:

/index.php with:
...
<a href="http://www.abcde.com/" id="copyirhgt">ABCDE</a>
<script>document.getElementById('copyright').style.display = 'none';</script>
</body>
</html>

Just as a tech-fact.

[jbinbpt]

As far as anyone knows.. Google sees all.
Do what the customer wants.