Source Code: SEO

[FunkyBears]

I'm looking at a site and in the source code I find this, has it any value whatsoever

States">United States</option>
<option value="Canada">Canada</option>
<option value="United Kingdom" >United Kingdom</option>
<option value="null" >-------------------</option>
<option value="Afghanistan">Afghanistan</option>
<option value="Albania">Albania</option>
<option value="Algeria">Algeria</option>
<option value="American Samoa">American Samoa</option>
<option value="Andorra">Andorra</option>
<option value="Angola">Angola</option>
<option value="Anguilla">Anguilla</option>
<option value="Antarctica">Antarctica</option>
<option value="Antigua and Barbuda">Antigua and Barbuda</option>
<option value="Argentina">Argentina</option>
<option value="Armenia">Armenia</option>
<option value="Aruba">Aruba</option>
<option value="Australia">Australia</option>
<option value="Austria">Austria</option>
<option value="Azerbaijan">Azerbaijan</option>
<option value="Bahamas">Bahamas</option>
<option value="Bahrain">Bahrain</option>
<option value="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</option>
<option value="Barbados">Barbados</option>
<option value="Belarus">Belarus</option>
<option value="Belgium">Belgium</option>
<option value="Belize">Belize</option>

 

[RadiusBPO]

I personally haven't seen this have an effect - eg somewhere to hide content to boost keyword density or list long tail keywords. Although I haven't tested.

 

[RedEvo]

It's just an HTML drop down list. Is it not part of a form?

d

 

[Deleted member 61074]

I assume the page in question has a drop down list to choose a country - select shipping destination perhaps?

Does your software allow you to restrict destinations? Use this to remove the extras

 

[ibz75]

Looks like a 'Select Your Country' drop-down form for a directory script.

 

[FunkyBears]

No its not part of a form,as its on Home Page, it has all these then all the American States listed yet the site is UK targeted, it just doesn't make sense to me. The sites owners have spent a considerable ammount on the site yet it has every page meta title the same and I've tried the pages in meta tag analysers and they all look bad.

 

[Viron Media]

It's form code for a dropdown list. If it is in there for no reason, or there are bits missing, it is likely to be left there by mistake.

 

[Chunkford]

Can you post a url for us to have a look?

 

[UKSBD]

It's a great way of getting locations on a page.
I use it a lot, even in contact forms.

 

[FunkyBears]

Hi Chunkford
sent you a PM as I don't want to post URL up as I'm hoping to do business with company concerned. Your feedback would be appreciated
Paul

 

[Chunkford]

The list is part of a hidden div. Click on register at the top right. Shouldn't be a problem. There doesn't seem to be any intent to deceve Google using the hidden div's, but there is quite a few of them (5 I think). Also, just so you know, there isn't any fall back if javascript it turned off.

 

[I, Brian]

Yes, a selection list from a drop down menu - that's what the code suggests it is.

However traditionally Google has had problems following drop down boxes - these days there are simpler ways to cover location issues.

 

[UKSBD]

Yes, a selection list from a drop down menu - that's what the code suggests it is.

However traditionally Google has had problems following drop down boxes - these days there are simpler ways to cover location issues.

That's exactly why I use them, google don't read them as links.
I use option boxes where I don't want 100's of links leaving a page but they still act as links to the user.

 

[FunkyBears]

There isn't a drop down box on the page so what is the point of this?

 

[MASSEY]

It's added to the source code in an attempt to help improve rank. I think it used to work but i read it no longer works.

 

[I, Brian]

There isn't a drop down box on the page so what is the point of this?

Legacy code at a guess - or else an extremely misguided attempt at SEO.

Either way, unless suggested otherwise, code to remove.

 

[Chunkford]

Don't remove it. I should of said properly.
The code in question is part of the site. It's part of a form that the customer uses to register on the site. It becomes unhidden by javascript with it in the form in a popover.