Google can now read Flash files. Sort of.

On Monday, Google announced that Googlebot can better index Flash files. But don’t go too crazy – Googlebot still has significant limitations when crawling Flash files. For example, if your website loads a Flash movie using JavaScript, you’re out of luck because, in the words of Google programmers, “Googlebot does not execute some types of JavaScript.”

Photographers, architects, and designers are particularly fond of all-Flash sites – and are often dismayed when SEO folks caution that the content of all-Flash sites is invisible to search engines. At Geary, we often recommend that clients build an HTML mirror of all content contained in the Flash – both for search engine spiders and for Web users who are blind or don’t have Flash enabled in their browsers.

However, this innovation – despite its significant limitations – could diminish the importance of building an HTML version of Flash sites or using other coding tricks to make Flash files readable to search engine spiders. It’s good news for those who love the slick, cinematic quality of Flash.

On Toyota’s mind.

Nice design, but this site is a strikingly similar concept to Adobe’s The Creative Mind. I wonder what came first, or did two agencies have the same idea at the same time? Will we ever know?
On Toyota’s mind.

Media More Engaging

This new site by the IAB does a great job explaining in simple terms the value of our industry (and what Geary Interactive does everyday). Nice work!
IAB – Media More Engaging

The Creative Mind

Great concept, animation and videos.
Adobe’s Creative Mind

IKEA “Come Into the Closet.”

IKEA has come up with ideal way to sell something as simple (and somewhat boring) as closets to all walks of life.

Their “Come Into the Closet” idea utilizes high end video and simple flash to highlight the benefits of their closet collections while personalizing each product to cater to a certain audience. The site features a clean layout, nice typography, and crisp, vibrant flash video in which you can navigate through with the use of elevator-type buttons that seamlessly take you from one floor to another and demonstrate the features of each closet through contrasting subjects.

There is one downfall to this site, the load time, but once you’re inside, it does a great job of effectively showcasing the benefits of the product through a somewhat virtual reality of everyday human experience.

Come Into the Closet.

Jonathan Yuen “Zen Gallery”

A masterfully animated, and smooth experience.

“Zen” styled elements come alive in a peaceful way that leads us into wanting to experience more. Mouse-overs instead of On-clicks give the sense of gently gliding through. The theme is what most designers (and most advertisers) strive to do: “To touch someone’s heart with design.”

Jonathan Yuen