Using SWFObject for Flash Sites

[richmar]

Has anyone used this technique - SWFObject successfully? Saw this on the Deconcept blog - (blog.deconcept.com/swfobject). It allows you to embed a swf file into a js file, something like this:

-----------------------------
"<script type="text/javascript" src="swfobject.js"></script>

<div id="flashcontent">
This text is replaced by the Flash movie.
</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
var so = new SWFObject("movie.swf", "mymovie", "200", "100", "7", "#336699");
so.write("flashcontent");
</script>

Prepare an HTML element that will hold your Flash movie. The content placed in the 'holder' element <div>place text here</div> will be replaced by the Flash content, so users with the Flash plug-in installed will never see the content inside this element. This feature has the added bonus of letting search engines index your alternate content.

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I know this is doable, but is it considered acceptable SEO technique where Flash is concerned?

[Webnauts]

Do you mean this

<div id="flashcontent">This text is replaced by the Flash movie.</div>

is invisible for the users when they have the plugin installed? Then it is hidden text, as search engines do not understand javascript.

In that case you are spamming them. You can hide that text legally, using the <noscript> tag.

[richmar]

I'm not a flash developer, just the SEO expert, but I got this info off Geoff Stearns'(a software developer for Schematic) Blog -

http://blog.deconcept.com/swfobject/

Can you review his Blog for details and let me know what you think? Apparently some big sites are already using it.

It is my understanding that no text is embedded in a js file. The text exists within the html body of the site code.

Want to know if others out there are using this technique and have had any results with Search Engines, good or bad. The technique makes sense, but as I work with an auto OEM site, I want to make sure.

[WebMasterKrames]

I used it for this site: www.candlerhillsgolfclub.com

It works great and gets rid of those pesky IE gray borders.

[JohneeMac]

SWF object is pretty much industry standard now.

Before Adobe themselves use it you know its a good thing! I can see it changing slightly though as with Flash taking a stronger hold on the web for commercial sites *and every other kind of site) the search engines are going to have to be able to read Flash files and its my understanding that with SWF object they cant currently do this...