Does Google Read Your CSS Files?

Nov 11, 2005 - 8:53 am 12 by

In the past, everyone knew that Google and the other engines, stayed away from your CSS files. However, after on October 19th, Matt Cutts posted a blog entry named SEO Mistakes: Unwise comments which showed an example of someone using CSS. Matt wrote;

I don’t recommend that people use CSS to hide text, and I don’t recommend that they document it, either.

Then Jagger update hit us, and many now believe that Google does peak at your CSS files. A DigitalPoint Forum thread asks Does google read external CSS files yet? Some reply "no" right off the bat, but I wouldn't be so quick to say no. Many respectable SEOs have been chattering about Google reading your CSS just for this. So just be careful, especially now.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 10, 2026

Jul 10, 2026 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Search Breaks Usage Records, Social & Video Platforms Show In Search Console & More Google Ads, ChatGPT Ads & More

Jul 10, 2026 - 8:01 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Now Show AI Creation/Edited Labels

Jul 10, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google Automatically Assigns Product Categories With Evolving Taxonomy

Jul 10, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Hack: Google AI Performance Reports For Platform Properties

Jul 10, 2026 - 7:31 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Canonicalization Issues May Take Up To Two Weeks To Resolve

Jul 10, 2026 - 7:21 am
 
Previous Story: Going to WMW PubCon? Ask Matt Cutts Forum Thread Live