<noscript> tag

Do SE read and consider them today? (2004 Q2)

[Daemon]

I can't seem to find recent information so I might as well ask.

Do search engines, namely Google, read the <noscript> tag on a page. The problem I'm trying to solve is for Google to have site content even though I use JavaScript to detect Flash then show flash or document.write links.

But I think Google does not read JS and even less document.write...(unless they became really good).

Have anyone have the slightlest bit of RECENT information on that topic?

Thanks!

[glengara]

Try [webmasterworld.com...]

FWIW, I've recently noticed a number of sites that had good PR and links but had low rankings were stuffing noscript tags......

[bmcgee]

Absolute, Google reads noscript tags. I don't know whether it cares for content in there or not. But it certainly does follow links from within those tags.

[GeXus]

This is interesting.. Im using a traffic analasis script, that uses <noscript> tags.. Will this effect my google ranking?

[Copper]

Well, I dont think having content or link in the <noscript> tag is a good idea. I would even label it as a spamming technique. Google definately reads <Nosript> and the user doesnt..right?. Likewise, Google also reads Hidden text, hidden link etc which the user cant..right? , Hence Kindly avoid anything which is made specially for the search engines and not for the user.
Cheers,
Copper

[pageoneresults]

Hello Copper, Welcome to WebmasterWorld!

Well, I dont think having content or link in the <noscript> tag is a good idea.

Why would you say that? What would you serve to your visitors or useragents that have javascript turned off?

[Copper]

Firstly, Thanks for the Welcome, Very nice of you.

Yes. I do understand that the noscript tag is meant for the said purpose but the fact that it has been so misused really makes me wonder whether its a very good idea to use the same.

I am sure they will be an alternative to noscript tag for people who have turned off Javascript. Any help would be appreciated.

[pageoneresults]

18.3.1 The NOSCRIPT element [w3.org]

The NOSCRIPT element allows authors to provide alternate content when a script is not executed. The content of a NOSCRIPT element should only be rendered by a script-aware user agent in the following cases: