Google and javascript

does hiding things with document.write still work?

[sullen]

OK. Here's my new theory on why several sites I'm involved with have what appears to be a penalty ("page not ranked", previously was ranked, should have returned this update, didn't):

The pages concerned (index pages on 2 sites) both have some content generated by javascript. One was an experiment with client-side rather than server-side includes, the other is a script-generated affiliate link. Of course it could be a coincidence, but neither page breaks any rules and its the only thing they have in common.

I know Google doesn't generally read javascript, but is it possible that it can now seek out the document.write command? - I ask because I have seen threads here where people suggest that document.write is a good way to hide content from search engines. Perhaps Google has caught on.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Giacomo]

It wouldn't make any sense to penalize a page just because it has some DHTML in it. There must be another reason IMHO.