Hidden text refers content not visible to users but still crawlable, indexable, and sometimes penalized by search engines if misused.
What Is Hidden Text?
Hidden text is content on a webpage that is concealed from visitors but may still be accessible to search engine crawlers. This text can be hidden using various methods like CSS (e.g., display:none), white text on a white background, or positioning it off-screen.
Why It Matters in SEO
In the past, some webmasters used hidden text to stuff keywords and manipulate search rankings. This black-hat tactic aimed to deceive search engines while keeping users unaware of the spammy content. Today, search engines like Google penalize websites that use hidden text for manipulative purposes.
However, not all hidden text is bad. Elements like accordion menus, tabs, or ARIA attributes used for accessibility are acceptable when implemented properly.
Common Examples of Hidden Text:
- Using white text on a white background
- CSS tricks to position text off-screen
- Font size set to 0
- Hidden content in expandable menus or tabs
Best Practices:
- Don’t use hidden text to deceive search engines.
- Ensure any hidden text is user-initiated (e.g., collapsible sections).
- Use for accessibility improvements, not keyword stuffing.
- Maintain transparency and relevancy.
