anyone else thinking that hiding the scripts from google is a good idea?
 

maybe getting paranoid, but also thinking logically that doing some cloaking of things to hide the actual scripts you are using from google's eyes might be a smart thing to do..... I realize that there are legal issues about doing so with many tos and scripts, but realistically it can only do no good to have google categorizing your site based on the script you are using.... the ideal situation is for google to see your site as completely static html pages I would think

so is anyone modifying the source of the scripts they are using to take out backlinks and copyright notices and other telltale signs of the particular script you are using

I know for a few years now I have suspected that google's algorithm has subtle adjustments based on whether they think you are a forum or a blog or a static site etc, and sometimes I have thought that it would be better for seo if google wasn't specifically lumping my site into a broad category on occasion


* note- before any script owners get all angry, I am not saying I do this kind of editing or suggesting anyone else do it, but I think the subject is a valid one for discussion so just bringing it up in hopes of seeing some discussion

you'll probably get penalised for cloaking

I think you missed the point.

I agree with the original post. A nice blad html page seems to be the route to go.

I think most scripts have mod-rewrite for SEO friendly links now anyhow.

I'm not talking about "cloaking" in the sense of fooling google where content is hosted

what I meant was altering the code of the script enough to remove obvious evidence of the script you are using

just as an example, with the smarthumbs thing, the backlink to smarthumbs and the filename of the main script files are a dead giveaway, with wordpress the "powered by wordpress" backlink, etc etc...

it also would have the advantage of thwarting spammers that search for scripts to attack or spam based on searchable signatures of the scripts they are looking for

You shouldn't be helping Google figure out your sites are script based to begin with. Anything that's generated by script or redirects via script has the potential for infinite amount of content/pages/searches. As such, I'd hide that as much as possible.
WG

Google is still dancing... the site with the top SERP I had has been jumping from page 3-7 all day

Trust me when I say buy some ad words.
You know where Im coming from...

it is so casually done with scripts and "free" themes out there nowadays, they all expect sitewide follow links

the potential for harm to your site is high enough that these sitewide links should be avoided whenever possible :2 cents: