Re: PDFs and SEO

I have a client with a similar desire to post PDFs of nicely-designed print brochures, and have gotten them to go with the route you've suggested: formatting the brochures into HTML with a link to the downloadable PDF.  What finally got them on board with the idea was pointing out that, while the PDF will indeed get indexed by most search engines, someone who clicks on a search-generated link to the PDF will get JUST the PDF in a browser.  No site branding around the content, no links back to the main site to encourage more exploration of the site, and no links to an online store where they could buy the stuff they just found.  

Further a PDF will obviously not have any of the HTML cues that search engines might follow -- placing more importance on content in H1 tags and the first couple of P tags on a page, etc.  I think your client will be much better off with the hybrid approach we're talking about here.

Good luck,
Jim
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