What does this script do?

I found my site's URL hidden on someone elses site

[Imagineer]

Hello,

While I was doing a link popularity check I found this script at the bottom of a site that was supposed to be linked to me.
There is no sign of my URL on their page.
It was only evident when I viewed their source.
I don't know what it means or what it does, but I'm ultra suspicious.
Can someone enlighten me please?
Also, what should I do about it?

<script language="javascript">
<!--
//top.location.replace("http://www.me.uk");
//-->
</script>
<noscript>Links: <a href="http://www.pricewatch.com">buy watch</a> ¦ <a href="http://www.example.com/">
watch retailer</a> ¦ <a href="http://directory.google.com...">watches
uk</a> ¦ <a href="http://www....">wristwatch</a> ¦
<a href="http://www.example.com/">...</a> ¦ <a href="http://www.espn.com">sports
watches</a> ¦ <a href="http://www.uk.co.uk">stuff</a></noscript>
</body>
</html>

Thanks!

[edited by: Brett_Tabke at 6:37 am (utc) on Dec. 18, 2002]
[edit reason] delinked [/edit]

[jdMorgan]

Imagineer,

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com]!

If JavaScript is enabled, the code does nothing, since the top.location.replace is commented out. If JavaScript is disabled, the list of text links will appear. Google's spider acts like a browser with JavaScript disabled, so it will pick up those links. You can go view Google's cache of that site with JavaScript enabled and with JavaScript disabled, and see what they picked up the last time they spidered that site.

HTH,
Jim

[buckworks]

I would guess that someone is trying to look like a "hub" to the search engines by linking out to similarly themed sites ... but not show those sites to their visitors.

[Imagineer]

Thanks for your replies.

But I still don't understand why anyone would include this script.
What purpose would it serve?

[chiyo]

Imagineer.. i think buskworks had your qnswer in the post above yours. They are trying to seem like a "hub" to search engines, without directing traffic (or increasing link popularity) to those sites. Some search engines (teoma comes to mind) are working on viewing hubs, authorities in a different way in their alogos. Makes sense too. That site knows it and is playing "silly buggers" as the australians would say.

[Imagineer]

Thanks very much you guys.

I hope you all have a happy Christmas and an indecently prosperous New Year.

[WibbleWobble]

There are of course, those of us who just turn javascript off. We'd see the links. More useful that not seeing them, isn't it? :)

[papercut]

sounds kinda dishonest, no?