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Re: MSc Research - Does making a Website Accessible compromise Search Engine Optimisation?

for

From: Richard Evans
Date: Nov 18, 2009 3:05AM

Hi Allen,Thanks very much for your comments in relation to my survey. As part of the project I am considering technical issues, but as Margit later commented, this poll is aimed at trying to get a flavour of current peer opinions on both activities and their compatibility.
All the best,Richard
> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:46:46 -0500
> From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] MSc Research - Does making a Website Accessible compromise Search Engine Optimisation?
>
> I think Richard can ask his questions anyway he feels appropriate for
> HIS dissertation. :O)
>
> cheers
>
> Geof
>
> At 03:13 PM 11/17/2009, you wrote:
> >I think the opinion poll is not intended to answer a question (i.e., whether
> >accessibility compromises search engine ranking), but it is meant to provide
> >insight into how different people approach this topic.
> >
> >If your opinion is that accessible web content increases search optimization
> >then that's one of many possible responses to the poll. Others would
> >probably argue from the opposite end and point out that paid SEO services
> >often try to trick search engines by abusing the title attribute and hiding
> >text on a page and so on. Taking these misleading elements out of a page
> >or making them work as intended (e.g. title attributes that focus on true
> >semantic value and not their techniqual potential to sneak in keywords)
> >would certainly increase accessiblity, but potentially negatively affect SE
> >ranking. The author of the opinion poll simply wants to get a feel for these
> >different points of view, thus the name opinion poll.
> >
> >On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 1:41 PM, Hoffman, Allen < <EMAIL REMOVED> >wrote:
> >
> > > I'd like to know how an opinion poll for this topic would possibly be
> > > useful as knowledge to answer this technical question. If you examine
> > > how search optimization functions technically, then explore the usual
> > > variations on correctly coded Web content for accessibility, you can
> > > determine if the requirements have technical conflicts. Just going by
> > > opinions and experiences is certainly not a real answer to this
> > > provocative question. My opinion is that making Web content accessible
> > > increases search optimization since text and semantic relationships are
> > > programmatically determinable from accessible, structured content, and
> > > may not be from unstructured, not intentionally coded content. In fact,
> > > by intentionally encoding semantic meanings and text attributes in to
> > > content, the overall information content generally rises, increasing
> > > search systems ability to correctly find and classify content, exactly
> > > the opposite to your question.
> > >
> > >
> > > A more interesting question is if there are technical conflicts between
> > > search optimization and accessibility requirements, what are they, and
> > > how can they more effectively be reconciled, or how best can a Web
> > > content producer encode for best results for both sets of requirements.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Richard Evans [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 5:09 AM
> > > To: Webaim
> > > Subject: [WebAIM] MSc Research - Does making a Website Accessible
> > > compromise Search Engine Optimisation?
> > >
> > >
> > > Dear Webaim List Member,
> > >
> > > I am currently completing a Research Dissertation into Web Accessibility
> > > and Search Engine Optimisation for an MSc Degree in E-commerce at
> > > Swansea Metropolitan University - University of Wales.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The basis of the research is that it is vital to make websites
> > > accessible to as wide a range of users as possible, but do
> > > "accessibility" design actions conflict with those actions taken to
> > > optimise websites so that they reach the top of search engine ranking
> > > pages (SERPS)?
> > >
> > > I have already written directly to a number of you and attached an MS
> > > Word questionnaire - unfortunately, this presented some accessibility
> > > issues.
> > >
> > > Therefore, I have now placed the questionnaire on SurveyMonkey and have
> > > hopefully overcome these issues.
> > >
> > > I would be grateful if anyone who has not already received/ replied to
> > > my survey could provide input to the project by completing the online
> > > questionnaire which can be accessed at the following address:
> > >
> > > http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=S5SSS22U01WZbOj7Lm3mxw_3d_3d
> > >
> > > The questionnaire is designed specifically to allow me to reach
> > > objective conclusions on the above question and I trust that you will
> > > feel able to assist me with this important research.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I would like to thank you in anticipation for your contribution and I
> > > would be grateful to receive your completed questionnaire on
> > > SurveyMonkey by Friday 20 November.
> > >
> > > With Best Regards,
> > > Richard Evans
> > >