Text formats

is italic text still a no-no?

[nvision]

Hi guys and girls, I was just wondering if search engines (and which) are still generally anti-italic text or not. Or let's say, which formats are we pretty much safe or okay to use?

[papabaer]

Hello nvision! Personally, I use <em></em> and <strong></strong> with very good results. The elements are used appropriately as part of the complete page presentation.

[nvision]

Thanks papabear. Is our dearest Google happy with these formats (also other browsers & co.)?

[papabaer]

These are legitimate, purposeful, valid html elements; so are <i></i> and <b></b>. Look at them as "seasoning" - a little of this and a little of that can make a mighty tasty meal! Even for spiders!

The differnces between <b> and <i> from <strong> and <em> is that though both groups may render similarly (bold/strong - italic/em), the latter also typically add special "inflection" to the voice rendering of screen readers. Keep this in mind and use the elements appropriately.