javascript prevents SEO

[brandonstills]

I've been thinking about using a custom javascript framework more heavily to dynamically generate pages but won't that fuck up search engines since they won't be able to parse the pages? Flash has the same issue, how do people get around this issue? Do you simply do 2 different versions, gracefully degrade the site? How smart are the major search engines when it comes to javascript?

[Fat Panda]

se can only read html

[hungry hungry hippy]

se can only read html

wrong, at least for google. they've been reading and interpreting js for a while.

[GrouchyAdmin]

If you want dynamic, fine, but why are you limiting your scope to JavaScript?

[SmokeyTheBear]

se can only read html

wtf ?

google can read javascript just fine, i suggest doing some testing first with various methods , but they certainly DO read javascript

[SmokeyTheBear]

if you wanna test various methods , heres one way

make a blogger blog with an offsite js call and put
document.write("wordnotfoundingoogle");

that word will soon show up in google

[Diligent]

JS doesn't screw with Your overall SEO... what You've probably heard is; to not put "SE-critical" stuff inside Javascripts, which is a good guideline...

One reason is that at least one SE (G) doesn't pass through linkjuice to stuff linked to inside a JS. I happen to have that rumor confirmed myself.
They handle that the same way they handle rel="nofollow" in links.

[SmokeyTheBear]

JS doesn't screw with Your overall SEO... what You've probably heard is; to not put "SE-critical" stuff inside Javascripts, which is a good guideline...

One reason is that at least one SE (G) doesn't pass through linkjuice to stuff linked to inside a JS. I happen to have that rumor confirmed myself.
They handle that the same way they handle rel="nofollow" in links.

i wouldnt be so sure about that.. i have tested this very subject myself and found the opposite.

i will try and put an example up soon

[brandonstills]

I'm referring to complete DOM manipulation, not just document.write.

[Diligent]

Smokey..: Hmm.. interesting..

I'll check back here later for that, thanks for sharing
Naptime about now though.

[syntacks]

in terms of linking, it's true, using JS for links, just like flash, will act like a nofollow for GG.

[brandonstills]

What about the text on the page though, will it pick it up? And how complex of Javascript can it parse? Does it actually execute the javascript, or does it merely scan it.

[brandonstills]

Why does the porn.com avatar keep showing up as my avatar?

[brandonstills]

Is it every other time I post?

[rowan]

Is it every other time I post?

It's displayed for every third post in a thread. It's not attached to any particular post or user, it will disappear once the branding does.