Google’s John Mueller mentioned that on the subject of hidden textual content on a web page, Google is “good at ignoring it.” It’s a type of issues that Google appears to not penalize for anymore however slightly simply not rely the textual content that isn’t seen on the web page.
This isn’t new information, and Google has been saying this at the least since 2018. Google mentioned then it reductions hidden textual content on a web page. Google’s John Mueller mentioned then “we low cost hidden textual content for rating, so I doubt they’re seeing any benefit from that (they will rank for different causes).”
Then lately, in 2023, John Mueller mentioned on Twitter, “Our programs are fairly good at recognizing hidden textual content, good at ignoring it, and good at specializing in what’s in any other case on the location.”
John added that these websites might have executed it by chance, so it’d make sense to allow them to know. “Some websites do silly issues along with good issues, and are nonetheless helpful for customers. In the event you flag it to them, they could repair it,” he wrote.
Our programs are fairly good at recognizing hidden textual content, good at ignoring it, and good at specializing in what’s in any other case on the location. Some websites do silly issues along with good issues, and are nonetheless helpful for customers. In the event you flag it to them, they could repair it.
— John Mueller is usually not right here 🐀 (@JohnMu) December 31, 2022
Google additionally mentioned a website will not outrank you due to hidden textual content.
Let’s not overlook one of many earliest examples of well-liked websites that deployed hidden textual content and nonetheless has not eliminated it (they’re all useless) – Heavens Gate.
Once more, to be clear, that is about actually spammy hidden textual content, like black textual content on a black background. Not about content material hidden in expandable tabs, these are advantageous.
Discussion board dialogue at Twitter.