The Other TITLE tag

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The Other TITLE tag

Google and the benefits of using TITLE in <a href> <div> <h1> <body> etc.

tlhmh1

9:06 pm on Sep 17, 2002 (gmt 0)

According to W3.org, one may use the title tag in all kinds of elements: <a href> <div> <h1> <body> and more. For example:

<h1 title="Complete Catalog of Widgets">Widget World</h1>

The W3 encourages its use for accesibility purposes (for the blind, etc.).

Does anyone use the title tag to add keyword rich text to their websites?

How does Google see this text? Is it considered spamming since the typical user will not see it (accept, of course, for those who are disabled)?

andreasfriedrich

9:26 pm on Sep 17, 2002 (gmt 0)

The Other TITLE tag

You are probably talking about the title attribute. See section 3.2 SGML constructs used in HTML [w3.org] for an explanation on the terms element, tag and attribute.

since the typical user will not see it

As suggested by the W3 in section 7.4.3 The title attribute [w3.org] newer browsers will display the text as a tool tip. So it will not be visible only to people using non visual browsers.

Meaningful use of the title attribute will not be considered spam. It is well used when it furthers the user´s surfing experience.

tlhmh1

9:36 pm on Sep 17, 2002 (gmt 0)

Ok... I see them now. But regardless, does Google consider this text when spidering? If so, does it weight it the same as regular text?

Thanks for your help.

tlhmh1

9:51 pm on Sep 17, 2002 (gmt 0)

One more question along the same lines...

What about the summary attribute for tables?

Isn't this, in a sense, hidden?

Powdork

9:00 am on Sep 18, 2002 (gmt 0)

will the title attribute when applied as

help abc.com become more relevant when someone searches for bbb

Damian

9:54 am on Sep 18, 2002 (gmt 0)

I did some tests with this a few months back. Google did not index title attributes at that time, at least not as in <a href="somepage.html" title="something">

ciml

3:21 pm on Sep 18, 2002 (gmt 0)

Thanks for letting us know, Damian. That's a shame, I quite like the idea of <A href="blah" title="Widgets for Sale">For Sale</A> on the Widgets page.