Flash only sites on Yahoo

Do they get listed?

[Macguru]

One prospect uses 100% flash site, when the sniffer sees no plugin it loads some gif image map leading to macromedia. It is obvious that this site wont score very big on SE but if this practice also hurts with major directories, I got another argument to use to convince him to make a HTML version.

I used the site searh here and also read on Yahoo to find nothing specific about flash only sites. Any experience?

[2_much]

Hi Macguru,

I was unable to find any reference in Yahoo as to their dislike for Flash sites. However, I've never come across a 100% flash site in Yahoo, and remember hearing many times that Yahoo editors aren't too fond of flash.

Check out this thread for more info:
[webmasterworld.com...]

If you absolutely have to submit it as is, then it might be worth a shot. However, you may want to consider offering both a Flash and an HTML page.

Anybody else have any experience with this?

[bigjohnt]

Regardless of whether they CAN be listed, to do so without an HTML or non-flash version is silly. Many surfers do not have the plug-in, nor will they wait for the download for the privilege of seeing your site. Added to the fact that most are still on dialup(a large proportion still at 28.8) and subject to inordinate download times, flash is more of a barrier than enhancement, IMHO.
These may be a few of the issues facing Yahoo when making decisions whether or not to list a site. I think I remember reading what they use when reviewing - I think it was NS4.0 over 56k modem, with no plugins - a fairly restrictive setup. Its on a post somewhere here at WMW - I think ;)

[Macguru]

Thank you for the link 2_much, it provided me usefull informations on many turnarounds and killer phrases to make my point.

>Regardless of whether they CAN be listed, to do so without an HTML or non-flash version is silly.

You are perfectly right bigjohnt, going with a pea shooter to a heavy machine gun fight isn't very bright. Lots of customers ( and Web designers )need to be sensitised and educated. I believe that you can get a lot of returns from making them understand the basics about this game.

The problem here is that I am sitting between the customer and the Web designer... dusting Diplomacy 101 :)

One thing I noticed on Yahoo is that Flash Web site designers listed there offer the visitor to choose between versions of the site he likes. That is a thing done a better way.

[john316]

You could just reset the "sniffer" to the html version of the site. No html version is rather ridiculous, flash is just that (flash!) it serves almost no useful purpose for the majority of web surfers and really now,....why would you send them to the macromedia site....yikes...what a horrific "welcome" to your site. Say goodbye to that visitor!

[knighty]

I just did a search on yahoo.com for a site called 'Flash challenge' which is a Flash only site and it came up Number One!

I dont see why a site would get rejected, becuse its flash...it can still have meta tags, urls etc.

PS: Most surfers DO have a Flash Plugin! Its pre-built in to most new browsers and OS's as well!

[Macguru]

Hi knighty,

Thanks for those precious informations.

Actually, did the keyword search performed was the actual name of the site? (cant'get #1 ranking any other way)

I am writting this from an speeding ambulance, 'think it is spleen damage laughing out loud from this extract of the JS code of the site you reffered. Hope you can decode it without any urgent need for medical care...

if (MrBicklesworth == "Microsoft Internet Explorer")
{
MiniMe = "True";
}
var DrEvilSays = WhyMustIBeSurroundedByFriggingIdiots();
if (MiniMe && DrEvilSays == "Macintosh")
{
//window.location ="CoreSafe.html";
}

function WhyMustIBeSurroundedByFriggingIdiots()
{
if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Win') != -1)
{ var WhyMustIBeSurroundedByFriggingIdiots = "Windows";
}
else if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Mac') != -1)
{ var WhyMustIBeSurroundedByFriggingIdiots = "Macintosh";
}
else
{ var WhyMustIBeSurroundedByFriggingIdiots = "Other";
}
return WhyMustIBeSurroundedByFriggingIdiots;
} // end WhyMustIBeSurroundedByFriggingIdiots()

Did I ever mention a diplomatic issue before??

[fctoma]

Macguru...flash is voodo with yahoo these days. Talked with a few at Yahoo, and although flash is nice looking, the directorys, especially Yahoo will check to see how long your flash loads, also if you have an alternative to the flash site, and on various modem speeds.

Hope this will help. Best of luck

Frank
HI 2 MUCH :)