Google Use Keywords in DropDowns?

[joer80]

Do the big 3 make use of keywords in dropdowns? I have a category list, but also want to allow people to view products by brand in a dropdown, but I want the brand keywords on the page also. It is a traditional dropdown menu, not css layers. Thanks!

[DanThies]

Joe, there are ways to do that, here's one:
A List Apart: Articles: Suckerfish Dropdowns

Moderators, that's not my site...

[jimpajaro]

I believe that Google for sure can "see" the dropdown menu. If you use your Google Toolbar just go to the page you want to check on and enter your keywords into the query window. Next go to the "Highlight" option and click it. The keywords you have entered into the Google Toolbar will be highlighted. Next click on your dropdown menu and see if the keywords in the menu are highlighted.

The top search engines are pretty good at knowing what is on your website.

[espmartin]

Originally Posted by joer80

Do the big 3 make use of keywords in dropdowns? I have a category list, but also want to allow people to view products by brand in a dropdown, but I want the brand keywords on the page also. It is a traditional dropdown menu, not css layers. Thanks!

Yes, DanThies has it correct. Now, using that "suckerfish" method, you're keywords
within the menu are both crawlable and accessible. Now, if you went "Old School" and used
(arg!) javascript drop downs, then you are eliminating the accessibility of the menu to your users and search bots.

[joer80]

But doesnt suckerfish use hidden layers which google no longer likes?

[espmartin]

Originally Posted by joer80

But doesnt suckerfish use hidden layers which google no longer likes?

No - the beauty of it is it uses:

position: absolute;
    width: 10em;
    left: -999em;

Just takes if off screen for users. Not "hidden", just abs. positioned