Using keywords in drop down lists

[Marcia]

I know I've seen something on this but can't seem to find it. I've got to totally re-do shopping cart code on a site (rush job - like do it today) and will need to optimize one particular section of the site.

I believe I've read that some search engines will pick up keywords within either dropdown lists or forms. Can someone verify that this is so, and tell me whether putting a word in all the choices will take it too far over the top with keyword density?

[drbill]

Marica, If I am correct I think they will spider the keywords in the pulldown menu.

[tedster]

>...whether putting a word in all the choices will take it too far over the top with keyword density?

In my experience, Alta Vista is the touchiest SE on this right now, and Google is very lenient, and even seems to reward high density. I have a page near 12% that rocks on Google, and some other engines, but AV buries it. Ditto with a 10.8% page.

In both of these cases, the clients want their primary kw in the name of each product variety on the page -- something like the situation you are describing. Both clients are happy with the traffic and conversion rates they get, so they're willing to risk the trade-off with AV.