image map or SWFObject

[tomajacar]

here is an interesting one (I think)
I have that country map on my site, sliced in regions, and clicking on a region returns content results.

I've got 2 options to implement that map :

1. Using image map with links being like that : <area shape="poly" coords="109,184,132,183,135,193,131,208,127,220,116,216,105,202,103,197" href="/directory.htm"

2 Or I can go Flash and use the SWFObject to replace the HTML. That means that most SEs would see good old <a href="/directory.htm" links.

Now from a user point of view, the experience is pretty similar. From an accessibility point of view, they're both good if well implemented.

What about SEO? Is one better than the other?
thanks for your help

[phranque]

as long as your alternate/html content is essentially the same as the flash content then you should be in good shape for seo.