Cloaking Pages to Reduce File Size for Spider size?
I am working with a client who has a large amount of content on his site.
The site relies on javascript for alot of actions, so the programmer used the .htaccess file to redirect the spiders to a text only (with a little markup - and basic navigation)...
The old page file size is around 10-30kb, while the new one is anywhere from 2-4 kb.
Possible disadvantage:
1) less content (no pictures - can't alt tag, less complex navigation - less linking)
2) possible cloaking penalties (very far fetched, they are highly indexed)
Possible advantages:
Easier search engine spidering due to faster page loads, and less non-text items to sift through (javascript has been scrapped. The javascript probably added the most issues).
I don't think the spiders have any problem with 20k file pages, or parsing large amounts of javascript... I would think that it would help to have what's in front of the users fed to the search engines as well. It adds more potential content, more links - and hence more keyword density.
I know, it's not about the spiders... but the bottom line is, are we making it easier for the search engine this way - or would rather see the whole kit and caboodle?
Also, would there be any harm in suddenly changing that back to what the user sees as well?
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