Script tags and seo
-
Hi,
I have a page on my site with a google map embed, and a path drawn on the map. The path is made from a long string of coordinates. For ease I have the co-ordinates placed in a script tag at the foot of the page, amongst my javascript
My question is, will this script tag hurt the seo for the page? I've read that inline js and 'data islands' can be bad, so I've been careful to keep it out of the main body of the page. Thanks, any help appreciated!
-
Inline scripts aren't bad per se, search engines just can't always understand them. Worst case scenario: you have extra code that Google has to crawl but doesn't understand, which takes up bandwidth and doesn't add value. But, it won't lower your rankings.
So, do whatever you need to do to deliver the best user experience you can on your site with this map and related route, and figure that Google will ignore it (Google is trying to understand it, though, so it may be helpful in the long run). Then, for search engines, include some text content describing the map and the route so that search engines can send the right searchers to your page.
Good luck!
Kristina
-
Okay great, that's very helpful.
What if I wanted to have multiple scripts, say, for points of interest along the route, and had multiple (20+) tags at the bottom of the page? Would this be an ugly way of doing it, or considered totally okay in the eyes of google?
-
Yes, that's an inline script (putting it at the top or bottom will still be inline), but as I said, if only one page is using that script, you are good to go. There's nothing bad in using inline scripts if they aren't going to be used on other pages as well.
-
Thanks Federico.
As my script is being called at the bottom of the page, I would assume it doesn't count as 'inline'?
Yes the scripts are only being used once on specific pages.
-
Inline scripts are bad if you are bringing them on every page, if that's the case, just use scrip embedding so users don't need to download the scripts EVERY time they see a page.
But, if the inline script is used only on a specific page and not reused, then there's no reason to load it as an external file. In my opinion, that will even need an extra server call to bring a code that only works on that page.
Hope that helps!
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Best SEO-friendly CMS platform?
I have been tasked with rebuilding a small e-commerce website using a CMS, but I'm not sure which one has the most SEO compatibility. One SEO company recommended Squarespace. Another warned me against Squarespace because of its limited SEO features and instead recommended Wordpress with the WooCommerce toolkit. I've also heard Drupal and Joomla mentioned. Are certain CMS platforms more SEO-friendly? If so, what are the best ones that can also handle e-commerce? Thanks!
Web Design | | businessimagesolutions1 -
On-page SEO opinion on this Wordpress theme
Hi everyone. As an SEO agency we've been moving more toward genesis themes, however we have a client who really wants to redesign his website using the following theme: http://themeforest.net/item/this-way-wp-full-videoimage-background-with-audio/943634 - the theme would be images with no audio on the homepage. He is a remodeling contractor and likes the design and functionality of the theme. I'd like to get others feedback and opinions on what you think about the on-page SEO of this theme? Thanks.
Web Design | | WillWatrous0 -
Q&A DB Script For Client Questions
Our clients usually have a lot of questions about our industry. We implemented Facebook comments (see bottom of: http://www.jwsuretybonds.com/info/faq.htm) on many pages throughout the site to allow our clients to ask whatever they'd like and build additional content using copy on how our clients speak, not industry expert vocab... I have some problems with FB comments: Our answers only show to people logged into FB. For others it looks as if we don't reply. The data pulls from FB, so we don't own it and it is slower than our server. You need a Facebook, Yahoo, or Hotmail account...I want anyone to be able to ask a question. Can anyone recommend a script that accomplishes our Q&A functionality using our own database? Also, I'd like to allow anyone to post without a requirement of an account. If I had a WordPress site, I suppose this would be easier, as I'm sure there are various comment solutions, but I have a HTML\PHP based custom built site.
Web Design | | TheDude0 -
Is anyone here managing or doing SEO for a site using GoECart?
We are preparing to update/migrate to a new ecommerce platform. We are in the process of choosing right now. One of the things we know we want is faceted navigation, but I am well aware of the problems this presents for SEO. Are any of you amazing people here using, managing or have experience with GoECart? I am interested to know your feedback, particularly from an SEO viewpoint. Thanks in advance! Dana
Web Design | | danatanseo0 -
New Website Redesign: Any Design Comments or SEO Suggestions?
Hi! We recently launched our new website after MONTHS of work. Now that it is live, we are looking to fine tune the design and SEO efforts. This is our new website. And for reference, this is our old website. Any and all comments on design and SEO would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help! Mike
Web Design | | Mike.Goracke0 -
Ecommerce SEO - product sort order
Hi, I've been trying to find the answer to this in google but having no luck. In the current era, is it damaging to have products ordered randomly in an ecommerce website? Also, how long would you suggest is a good length of time to establish your natural rank? Ive launched and still work on several succesful ecommerce sites, but have recently launched a completely new venture - brand new url, brand new site and it has been live for around 5 weeks now, and although it is being found in search, it isnt doing as well as i'd like using the moz pro tools ive picked up some issues and have in the last few days tweaked page titles, added 'nofollow' to all my filters, added content etc, so I feel as though ive reset the clock. the site (it's an adult site by the way) is www.lovesauce.co.uk - would appreciate some feedback from the pro's
Web Design | | tom.dollar0 -
How to make AJAX/javascript website more seo friendly?
I have a website that is heavy on AJAX. I need recommendations on how to add content as well as other on page ompitizations. The website is a luxury brand for 6 resorts, each with their own subfolder. The website is http://me.graficode.com/preprod/.
Web Design | | Melia0 -
How is an SEO's time best used?
We have over 50 highly varied and niche sites in our company. Each website is for an annual event spread across the calendar. I am the solo SEO person here and was wondering what your opinions are about what would bring in the greatest SEO power in my limited daily allotment; link building? Keywords? Content? Oh, and to make my life even easier - its all based on SharePoint 2007!
Web Design | | DaveGerecht0