Validated HTML code

How important is it?

[bokesch]

I read somewhere that validated code is good to have.
Well, I just checked my code using Dreamweaver MX and it showed all sorts of errors, however the page displays perfectly in all browsers. Does google really look at this?

[Mohamed_E]

Google's job is to work hard to find the content, even if it is hidden in HTML code of dubious quality. If your code is good enough to display your content it is good enough for Google to index.

That said, there are very many reasons to validate your code, check the many threads on that topic, mainly in the Brwosers and CSS forums. All I am saying is that making Google happy is not one of them.

[Syren_Song]

Code validation is also important for making sure some of the more obscure browsers can view your site, as well as the more popular ones.

You said your "page displays perfectly in all browsers." Have you tried "viewing" it with Jaws or Lynx? Jaws is one of the auditory browsers used by the visually impaired and Lynx is a non-graphical browser, in case you're wondering.

There are quite a few browsers out there and most of the popular browsers are available on several different platforms. Each one has its own little quirks. Validating your HTML and CSS ensures that each of these browsers will be able to "view" your site properly.

[gilli]

Mohamed_E & Syren_Song have made very good points. One other thing is that valid mark up is likely to have a longer shelf life.

Try validating with tools like [validator.w3.org...] [jigsaw.w3.org...] or Tidy (http://tidy.sourceforge.net).

I'm a big fan of Macromedia stuff but I'm not sure how good their validator is (never used it), however the ones mentioned above are AFAIK the best out there.

Tidy will also fix errors for you & can convert html to xhtml (if you hve a need for that).