Preventing Specific Content From Being Indexed

Found This Code - Does It Work?

[spyder_tek]

I'm trying to prevent all search engines from indexing specific content on my pages.

In a search, I found the following code:

<!-- robots content="none" -->

This text will NOT be indexed.
<a href="bar.html"> this link will NOT be followed </A>

<!-- /robots -->

Will the above code work? Will it cause any incompatibility/usability problems for any of my users?

Thanks.

[leadegroot]

I have never seen anyone even suggest such syntax would work.
(Doesn't mean it won't ;) but *I've* never heard of it!)

[larryhatch]

I think one standard method is to take that section of text and turn it into an image.
If you play with it enough, you can closely match the font, colors etc. of the indexable text.
If its important enough, maybe you WANT it to stand out.

I don't think the search engines take the trouble to decipher text out of images (yet ..) -Larry

[larryhatch]

I forgot something:

Scrapers usually won't jack the text either, too much work and pond scum hates work.
If somebody does hot-link the image, you can have some real fun swapping images / filenames. -Larry

[trillianjedi]

I haven't heard of this either. I would also very much doubt that it works. As far as I'm aware (and could be wrong of course) all the major SE's index pages, not specific elements within pages.

You might want to have a look at the cloaking forum for alternatives. Tread carefully though.

TJ