How text is placed in html source code

[nextGoal100kVisitors]

Does how text is placed in html source code affect SERP in any search engine?

I am working on redesigning a good part of my site and I realize that, if I look at the html source code, the order of three parts, side navigation, content, and ads, changes. I am using fluid design, and the template I chose places these three in the order of content, side navigation and ads. Does this affect SERP in any search engine?

[I, Brian]

Ideally, you will want your most important keyworded stuff called up first.

But, really, if you're targeting specific phrases then nothing beats some good links for getting you ranked.

My sites tend to have their content listed in the same order as yours - and technically the nav should be called after content, if you wish to focus on keywords in the content. But, really, it's links that have the real power.

[nextGoal100kVisitors]

... - and technically the nav should be called after content, if you wish to focus on keywords in the content. But, really, it's links that have the real power.

Does this apply to Yahoo also or it has a difference story? I keep hearing that Yahoo focuses more on keywords, so I'm wondering ...

[Dominic]

This tool is a slap in the face if you haven't got your head around how a spider views your page - put your your url in and it will show you what the spider sees:

http://www.delorie.com/web/lynxview.html

[nextGoal100kVisitors]

Here's what I wonder.

If I change the order of nav and content, will SE see the page as an almost completely different page or it will recognize that the page is almost exactly the same as the one whose source has nav and content in its order?

[awall19]

search engines read the CODE not the VISUAL DISPLAY.

they read the code from top to bottom and stuff nearer to the top is likely given more weighting.

[cyberken]

Always put your keywords toward the top, check your coding for errors and remember most search engines are weighing more on inbound links than any other factor. However remember this in internet marketing "Everything Matters" so:

Be rich in content

Check your coding

Use your Meta tags and alt tags wisely.

Increase links to your site with sites that have the above.

Cyberken

[GeXus]

Originally Posted by Dominic

This tool is a slap in the face if you haven't got your head around how a spider views your page - put your your url in and it will show you what the spider sees:

http://www.delorie.com/web/lynxview.html

I really don't think this is accurate, anyone have any input?

[Johan007]

Looks ok to me, but IMO that tool is pointless. I dont agree with keywords at the top bit anymore. I think it came from the days of Inktomi powered sites (msn, hotbot etc...). You should design copy for users not SE.

If you must you could slap the navigaion bar at the bottom of your HTML but show it at the top of the page if you use DIV layers as this will not harm users. ( I have done one here: http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/friend....asp?movie=223 )

[petethomas]

Originally Posted by Johan007

If you must you could slap the navigaion bar at the bottom of your HTML but show it at the top of the page if you use DIV layers as this will not harm users. ( I have done one here: http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/friend....asp?movie=223 )

This is a solution if the order of text is how SEs see it rather than as the visual display, I sometimes do this not because I know any better but just in case the keywords are seen after a whole big bunch of nav links.

However you must be very careful with browser compatability, for example the page you quote looks completely wrong in Safari, the Future Movies title completely obscures some of the text.

[I, Brian]

Of course, if your nav has good keywords in it anyway for good internal linking...

[Johan007]

Originally Posted by petethomas

for example the page you quote looks completely wrong in Safari,

...cheers I will sort it some time.