HTML Phrase Tags and SEO – The Complete HTML Reference Guide for SEO

Today we’ll take a look at the SEO influence of the HTML phrase elements as listed by w3.org : EM, STRONG, DFN, CODE, SAMP, KBD, VAR, CITE, and ABBR (for more information on how to use these tags please refer to this w3.org)

Before analyzing them, here is what each one means:

em: Indicates emphasis.

strong: Indicates stronger emphasis. This tag has been described in the Bold or Strong Tag and SEO article.

cite: Contains a citation or a reference to other sources. This tag has been described in the Blockquote, Cite and q Tag and SEO article.

dfn: Indicates that this is the defining instance of the enclosed term (a good read on dfn tag can be found w3.org).

code: Designates a fragment of computer code.

samp: Designates sample output from programs, scripts, etc.

kbd: Indicates text to be entered by the user.

var: Indicates an instance of a variable or program argument.

abbr: Indicates an abbreviated form (e.g., WWW, HTTP, URL, etc.) – this tag has been describe in the Abbreviation Tag and SEO article.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what each tag represents, let’s dig deeper:

 TAG

This tag is an “updated” version of the tag by giving it a semantic meaning. While the purpose of these two tags is the same (to emphasize), gives more semantic meaning to the text, but arguably they are both treated with the same weight by search engines (see http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/seo-answers-on-google-video/)

So, which one should you use for SEO?

Keeping in mind that doesn’t have too much influence on your search engine rankings, it doesn’t really matter. However, following the two rules described below can give a slight advantage:

a. use for text in an “alternate voice,” such as foreign words, taxonomic and technical terms, typographically italicized text, ship names, inline stage directions in a script, and when representing thoughts or hand-written text inline

b. use for emphasized text (text with “stress emphasis”)

An excellent description of how to use semantically use VS can be found here (http://html5doctor.com/i-b-em-strong-element/). I am the supporter of the semantic web, so I strongly recommend reading the aforementioned article.

<DFN> TAG

Usage: <dfn>Search Engine Optimization</dfn> (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the “natural” or un-paid (“organic” or “algorithmic”) search results – definition from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization)

The dfn element is used to indicate the defining instance of the enclosed term. In other words, it marks the occurrence of the term where the term is defined. Note that it encloses the term, not the definition. (source, http://www.w3.org/TR/2008/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20081211/html.html#H54)

This tag may have an influence on displaying your site in the “define:something” type of queries, so I would recommend using it when you provide an inline definition of a process, product or something else.

<CODE> and <SAMP> TAG

This tag has little to no influence on rankings. However, if your site is dedicated to coding and you frequently list code on your site, you should enclose your code within the <code> tag and the sample outputs from programs and scripts inside <samp> tag.

Similar to Query Deserves Freshness searches, using these tags may clue search engine bots about the theme of your website and give a small advantage to your site when someone is performing a query related to programming or coding.

<KBD> TAG

The <kbd> tag is used to inform visitors that the indicated text is to be typed by the user on the keyboard.

A sample usage can be:

to visits the best Internet marketing company on Earth type <kbd>www.pitstopmedia.com</kbd> in your browser address bar. :)

It doesn’t have any influence on your website rankings, so, don’t worry about it.

<VAR> TAG

This tag is used to show that the enclosed words are variable names in a listing of computer code. It is used inside the <code>,<samp> or <pre> tags.

It doesn’t have influence you rankings, so don’t worry too much from this point of view.

As usual, if you are aware of anything that can be done with these tags to provide better information to users and search engines, and improve rankings in search engines do comment here.

About the Author

Traian has almost a decade experience in online marketing and he is the founder of Pitstop Media, an Internet Marketing Company that provides services to SMB clients around the world. For more information about this SEO Company visit: http://www.pitstopmedia.com

Author (artsubpsm). Submitted on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 Time: 11:57 AM

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