4 replies to this topic

[Pseudotsuga]

How do search engines, if at all, deal with

&

in page copy. It appears that Google just ignores a "&" in a search, and assumes a "and", so would using an ampersand in page copy between two key words basically be the same as 'keyword' and 'keyword'?

thanks for any thoughts on this.

[Jill]

Welcome Pseudotsuga!

You should always use the & code for your &'s. But Google probably doesn't care either way. Some browser do, however.

If Google ignores it as punctuation, it would be the same as having a space betweem the words. Since you probably have a space and the ampersand, it wouldn't do much.

Jill

[darciusrex]

From what I can tell google treats an ampersand like it does "and" & if you include a space with it as a search term it doesn't look for it, quote ""&" is a very common word and was not included in your search". I know google excludes and from searches for the same reasons. However, if you look for m&m, it does show up.

So, I think if you have spaces with it, ie: m & m it won't show but if you look for m&m it will.

Hope that helps!

[awall19]

It deffinentally does not treat it like a querry string even if it is in the title or anywhere on the page. does not hurt page ranking any way at all

[Pseudotsuga]

thanks for the info.

much appreciated.