Can search engines crawl text that is visually hidden with a "Show More" or "Read More" button in Webflow?

Yes, search engines are able to crawl and index text that is visually hidden but accessible through a "Show More" or "Read More" button in Webflow, provided that it is implemented in a way that search engine crawlers can easily access the hidden content. However, it is important to note that search engines have become more sophisticated in recent years and are able to detect manipulative techniques that may try to hide content solely for the purpose of keyword stuffing or manipulating search rankings.

To ensure that search engines can crawl and index the hidden text effectively, it is recommended to follow best practices:

1. Use semantic HTML: Structure your content using appropriate HTML elements like `

` for paragraphs, `

` for headings, etc. Search engines rely on HTML semantics to understand the relevance and hierarchy of the content.

2. Progressive enhancement: When implementing a "Show More" or "Read More" button, provide an alternative method for users to access the hidden content without JavaScript. This ensures accessibility and enables search engines to access the content even if they don't execute JavaScript.

3. Avoid using CSS tricks: Some techniques like setting the font size to zero or applying negative positioning to hide content should be avoided. Search engines can interpret such approaches as an attempt to manipulate rankings.

4. Optimize visible content: While search engines crawl hidden content, they still prioritize and give more weight to visible and easily accessible content. Make sure your visible content accurately represents the page's main content and is optimized for relevant keywords.

5. Use meaningful anchor text: When implementing the "Show More" or "Read More" button, use descriptive anchor text that provides context about the hidden content. This helps search engines understand the relevance and relationship between the hidden content and the surrounding visible content.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that search engines properly crawl and index your hidden content, making it more visible and discoverable in search engine results pages.