Google to index Flash content
So, a recent update by Google announced that they’re to start indexing Flash content. This is good right?
Well, at first glance yes – since generally speaking, it’s better to index content than not. But there are other more worrying ramifications.
That’s a good word, that: “ramification“. RAM-ification. Sounds like a vetinary term.
The problems I foresee are thus:
- This Flash content will show up in the SERPs, but Flash sites are usually built in one giant file – making deep-linking impossible. So a user will search for a phrase, see a match, click it – and then be dumped at the entry point of the Flash site – nowhere near the information they wanted to find. Great user journey there.
- It could encourage more online design agencies to build more Flash sites. Expensive Flash sites…
- …which will have content that is still inaccessible to screenreaders and similar.
I just hope this doesn’t signal the start of a deluge of agencies recommending to their clients that Flash content is suddenly fine to use. The only way it’ll work is if Google works out a way to deep link into this content – or site developers build start building Flash sites differently to allow it.
Don’t get me wrong: when used properly, well-executed Flash content is invaluable…just don’t build an ENTIRE site in it.
George
George Rosier runs this blog. It's somewhere he can vent his spleen about web design, usability, SEO, and other such nonsense that will no doubt mean nothing in 5 years' time.
Well this is a very bad news for me and for all the people who don’t use flash animation in their websites.