Using .css for optimizing my search terms?

What can I do to use my stylesheets for optimization and is it worth it?

[rjdm1]

I've heard that you can place search terms in your stylesheets, but I've never tried it and I'm not sure if it's worth the time and trouble. Could someone give me the 101 on utilizing my stylesheets for search term optimization?

Thank you.

[sem4u]

CSS is supposed to be for styling page content...

[rjdm1]

I guess I did ask for 101 info, but that's a little too 101. I realize what a stylesheet does, but I'm wondering if it can be utilized in more creative ways.

Any further information would be appreciated.

[jetboy_70]

It's simply the use of keywords in class and ID names, and I too have seen it mentioned as an area for optimisation. In fact with the application of multiple classes to an element you could even make phrases:

.keyword1 { }
.keyword2 { }
.keyword3 { }

<div class="keyword1 keyword2 keyword3">

Whether it works ... who knows? I find CSS difficult enough anyway without cryptically renaming all my classes and IDs!

[bakedjake]

If you use CSS-P, your HTML pages will benefit from the following:

1. Reduced page size
2. Increased text-to-tag ratio
3. Text (and terms) closer to the top of your page
4. Better formatted page (HTML is a standard, robots expect pages in a standard format, easier for them to parse)

Now, you're telling me that a bunch of PhD's haven't thought about people chocking CSS documents full of keyword spam in a method that's no more inventive than the old

<!--

comment spam crap?

Come on now - there are good ways to game the engine. But don't be so blasted obvious about it.

Oh, and welcome to WebmasterWorld.

[rjdm1]

not trying to spam, just thought it may be another useful place where I could strategically use keywords.

[rjdm1]

and thanks for the welcome, I'm glad to be here.

[bakedjake]

I would call non-visible keyword insertion "spam". I think the engines might, too.

Please note that I'm not making an ethical judgement - I don't believe in "ethics" as dictated by the search engines. A better way of thinking about it is, as hooloovoo22 often says: "falls under the 'not worth it' category for me. high risk low reward".