The importance of CSS in SEO:

[Jihad Joe]

There seems to be a slip in opinion on this subject matter. Some believe that it just doesn't make sense for Google, or any SE to rank one site over the other based on design and layout while others disagree strongly.

Giving all things being equal when comparing two different sites, here is the argument that states CSS plays an important role.

- CSS cleans up the code in a site by far. This allows the bots to go through the pages' code easier and pick up content quicker and more efficiently.
- CSS also ensures that all browsers are able to view the final page layout and design properly, where as html on it's own creates cross browser issues. This is something that would discredit a site.

Again, the opposite opinion states that CSS makes no difference because at the end of the day, content is king, and layout should not and does not impact content.

If perhaps CSS indeed makes a difference, based on the same arguments, it would make sense to conclude that INCLUDES also help optimize a site because it cuts down on the code and therefore allows the bots to read through quicker and more efficiently.


What are your thoughts?
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[DJ]

Good points KMAN!

Id love to hear some other peoples opinions on this. Especially some of the code junkies out there!

I can say my own thoughts on this is that CONTENT IS KING! Having said that, CSS is considered to be the future in code -- why you ask afghanasauras? Well one thing that clean code ensures is that search engines are not given any reason to not spider through a site. The purpose of clean code is that it exhibits to SE's that there is a general interest in being as innovative as possible. Quick pageloads and thin code mean easier spiderability.

That is my take on it. Remember --- the SE landscape is always changing and will continue to so its important to keep discussing things like this.

Anyone else have thoughts?