Is this 'keyword spamming'?

What the article is doing IS keyword spamming, so doing so in your description would also be the same. However, in your photo descriptions, they could be considered as titles rather than captions, but I wouldn't format it as you show above. Make it look more like a keyword rich title.

Although, I think putting a caption rich with keywords would look better -- something related to the book. For example, being a biography about Elvis, I would say something like:

• "Elvis Presley, born in Tupelo, Mississippi, got his start in Memphis performing rockabilly. He soon found commercial success in several genres, after which he bought Graceland, which is now one of the most popular homes in America. Elvis is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music and is why he's commonly referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll" (or "the King")."

If you like the caption, feel free to use it and/or change it anyway you like.

Here's something Google said on it (it looks like Nicole hit spot on):

Irrelevant keywords

"Keyword stuffing" refers to the practice of loading a webpage with keywords or numbers in an attempt to manipulate a site's ranking in Google search results. Often these keywords appear in a list or group, or out of context (not as natural prose). Filling pages with keywords or numbers results in a negative user experience, and can harm your site's ranking. Focus on creating useful, information-rich content that uses keywords appropriately and in context.

Examples of keyword stuffing include:

Lists of phone numbers without substantial added value
Blocks of text listing cities and states a webpage is trying to rank for
Repeating the same words or phrases so often that it sounds unnatural, for example:
We sell custom cigar humidors. Our custom cigar humidors are handmade. If you’re thinking of buying a custom cigar humidor, please contact our custom cigar humidor specialists at custom.cigar.humidors@example.com.

Google: support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66358?hl=en

Sharon, thanks for that explanation from google. I tried to search for it but I think I was using the wrong phrase. Keyword 'stuffing' is what I should have searched for.

Those are all good questions.

I'm heading out soon to do my Friday morning chores, so I think I'll compose a email to Presto this afternoon and ask about all this (including your questions). Will post back when I get a reply.

Yes, keyword stuffing, that's what it's called. I knew it was called something different, but couldn't think of it. Keyword spamming is when you're using a descriptor that doesn't directly relate to the item.

One example I found on eBay is about an ordinary grease rag that the seller is relating to Camaros, Mustangs and Harleys. So, those searching for items related to those specific vehicles have to skip over such listings when trying to find what they're actually looking for. In other words, keyword spamming pollutes search results with unrelated items not specific to the search terms.

One seller on Bonz tried to argue with me that using Tiffany Style to describe my stained glass items was keyword spamming. However, I showed that the Webster's dictionary actually includes the term and defines it as a specific process for creating stained glass, which does relate to my items -- not Tiffany & Co. The founder of Tiffany's just happens to be the man who created the process and is why it was named after him. She wouldn't accept that, but that's her opinion, which isn't based on fact.

While those searching for Tiffany products might find a bunch of Tiffany Style stuff in their search results, there's not much that a seller of either can do about that. It's not a seller's fault that the process for creating stained glass was named after Tiffany. Browsers just have to learn to be more specific when searching for either and sellers of either have to deal with the extra competition.

As for Google, yes, it does use the short description in search results whether organic or Shopping. If a short description isn't available, then it pulls from the long description. If neither is coded properly for Google like it is on your Presto listings, then it starts with the first character of text and goes from there (it skips over HTML code).

Google includes the first 250 characters for the description that is displayed under the title in search results. However, if you have an added line of information that is coded to be displayed, then that number is limited to whatever will fit in the first two lines of text (about 150, give or take a few) to allow for the third line of text. For example, this is what is shown for the first result of my Tiffany's search:

Founder(s), Charles Lewis Tiffany, Teddy Young ... The name was shortened to Tiffany & Company in 1853 when Charles Tiffany took control and established ...
‎Charles Lewis Tiffany - ‎Tiffany Yellow Diamond - ‎Category:Tiffany & Co.

The first two lines of text include 156 characters while the third line includes 74 characters, for a total of 230 characters, including spaces. So, I guess it just depends on what will fit within the three lines while each section also fits within its allotted space. In the above case, two lines for the description and one line for the tags.

Also, keep in mind that Google organic search results are based on absolutely everything on a page (minus any coding). The search results are coded to display only certain information (title and description) and it would appear that developers can add their own coding to manipulate how it appears to a certain point (ie, including an image or a line of tags).

However, the Google bots search the text on the entire page when looking for matches to organic search terms. So, any text you include in a filename of an image or attached file, caption, title, description, boilerplate, etc., will get searched by the bots. Google Shopping is different in that it only searches what's included in the attributes.

For the description, Google Shopping searches the attribute for the short description. I'm not entirely certain if it will search the first 250 characters of the long description if a short description isn't available. If the short description is a required attribute, I'm thinking it may skip over long descriptions, but who really knows since Google never explains these things. So, you might clarify that about Google Shopping with the Presto Peeps.

About the Description Alt Tag, I believe that is the same as the caption and works in two ways, depending on how a page is coded to display it, if at all. The most common display is when you hover your mouse over an image, you'll see the alternate text. If a page is coded to display it as a caption, then the text will be displayed underneath the image.

So, it doesn't really matter which you use (an image title or long caption), unless there's a preset character limit. It's just a matter of preference regarding what you want to appear according to how the text is coded to display on your page. Although, if it's just text that appears when you hover over an image, I suggest using the title format because you don't want the little pop up to take up too much space and cover things up as browsers may find it annoying.

Yes, I remember that conversation on the bonz board about Tiffany.

I could tell how frustrated you were at explaining and re-explaining, but she wouldn't let it go.

It was humorous to watch the back and forth between the two of you, although I know you found no humor in it whatsoever.

LOL kenoticket Yes, that was very frustrating, particularly since I had proof. After talking to my father about it, he reminded me that I don't have to let someone drag me into their BS. If they don't want to listen to and accept facts, then that's their problem. Just move on and let them believe whatever they want to believe. So, that's what I did.

My dad is a very wise man and probably knows me better than I know myself. LOL

I'm still catching up (about to go make dinner).

I guess I always had keyword spamming wrong anyway then lol. I always looked at keyword spamming as keyword stuffing. I need to go edit my one post then from where Shar had started her thread (will email her on it also).

What's funny is that I think even Google has got keyword spamming mixed up with keyword stuffing then because this is how I found the Google link further above was by entering in "Keyword spamming Google" ...... lol.

Keno, I too never noticed the 500 space max.