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Hidden Anchor Text with CSS: Does Google Care?

by KyleGolemMedia
9 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hey Warriors,

Got a quick question for the SEO's on here:

How does Google view hidden anchor text on a blog post? i.e. 300-500 word article that has a clear <a href="url-here">link</a> to something like wikipedia but also has a link hidden with css.

I can't find any documentation to back up my opinion on the matter and I need to present my case to a client to get them to stop using the guy that does this.

I know for a fact that this isn't best practice but the information I'm finding online doesn't distinctly outline this.

Any help? Links to credible sources would be best!

Thanks!

Kyle
#anchor #care #css #google #hidden #text
  • Profile picture of the author KyleGolemMedia
    Anybody have some advice/resources on this topic?
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  • Profile picture of the author IM Ash
    Hidden text and links - Webmaster Tools Help
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  • Profile picture of the author KyleGolemMedia
    EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you so much!
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Just because text/links are hidden doesn't mean they are for manipulating the SERPs.

    Legit reasons for hidden text:
    • Content sliders
    • Tabbed content
    • Flash

    On the other hand...

    I like the flash example that Google posted on that link/article above, they act like flash won't have anything to do with SEO (lol), trust me, flash can easily show content directly in the SERPs (If it's done correctly).

    Javascript can also be used for SEO (PR sculpting), though I would use that in moderation (per page), example site-wide Nav. links in the header.
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    • Profile picture of the author KyleGolemMedia
      I'm talking about anchor text in a blog article. One link on the article appears normal and the other is the same color/style as the body text with no hover state. It doesn't even look like there is a link.

      What do you think Yukon?
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by KyleGolemMedia View Post

        I'm talking about anchor text in a blog article. One link on the article appears normal and the other is the same color/style as the body text with no hover state. It doesn't even look like there is a link.

        What do you think Yukon?

        That's hiding text for SEO, unless the link is nofollow. It's obviously not a link you want traffic to click.
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  • Profile picture of the author KyleGolemMedia
    The other link (out to wikipedia) is a nofollow. That particular link is meant for link building.

    Turns out this guy is doing quite a bit of harm. I think I've got a case now.

    Thanks again!
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    There's legit ways to have links on your page that get a very low CTR from traffic & can be used for SEO. Example, you could have the link below an image, in the image caption text (see image below).

    [source]
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    • Profile picture of the author KyleGolemMedia
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      There's legit ways to have links on your page that get a very low CTR from traffic & can be used for SEO. Example, you could have the link below an image, in the image caption text (see image below).

      [source]
      Thanks for pointing that out!
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