In this article we’ll review two PDF file scenarios and how search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN index them. If you’re reading this, then you’re most likely concerned about SEO and how your site ranks. Before you reach out to a search engine optimization agency read about a few basic SEO tips to help your site rank better.
Scenario 1: PDF Files and Search Engines:
Put yourself in this situation. You’re a professional with a great idea for your company’s website. You want to reach out to your customer base by posting a PDF on your website. You picked a PDF format because you have control over how the document looks and you enjoy the piece of mind knowing the document is difficult to edit. Before you post the PDF, consider these three search engine optimization questions.
1. Can you highlight the text?
For SEO purposes there are two types of PDF files: files that the text can be highlighted and files that the text cannot be highlighted. If you cannot highlight the text on your PDF, you’re abandoning potentially valuable SEO content because search engines see your PDF as an image file and not a searchable document (please see scenario 2). (more…)