AJAX & Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Feb 20, 2007 - 8:13 am 14 by

I can make this quick. AJAX and SEO do not mix. Search engines can not read AJAX, because most search engines won't read most JavaScript. So when you implement AJAX, make sure to give search engines alternative methods of getting to the same content that is accessible via the AJAX form.

There was a nice presentation given at SES Chicago 2006 named CSS, AJAX, Web 2.0 & Search Engines where Jim McFadyen from CriticalMass gave some nice tips and examples of AJAX and alternative solutions implemented right and wrong.

He loves Amazon's Diamond Search feature.

JavaScript turned on - i.e. AJAX version:

amazon-ajax-on.gif

JavaScript turned off - i.e. non AJAX version:

amazon-ajax-off.gif

This shows an example of how Amazon is using an alternative to JavaScript for their users. But a search engine won't be able to index and crawl Amazon's non-AJAX version, because it is using image maps, forms and so on.

A good alternative would to design a linked based alternative that somehow has some of these filtering options.

Forum discussion at High Rankings Forum.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 4, 2025

Jul 4, 2025 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google June 2025 Core Update, Search Volatility, Insights Report, Ads & More

Jul 4, 2025 - 8:01 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Tests Zoomable & Sticky Related Searches

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google

Google AI Mode Can Respond In Non-English Languages

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Search

Bing Tests Local Place Listings In Green

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Merchant Center Gains Automatic Shipping Updates

Jul 4, 2025 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Google Allows AdSense Publishers to Click Play Button on Video Ads