Google can now see most text in Flash files. This means that Web designers will no longer have to make the same choice between slick Flash interfaces and being found in search results.

There are a few caveats. Googlebots still can't index images of text, and it can't see FLV files. That means it still can't see the content of YouTube videos. It also can't see certain types of scripting.

If you're going to use Flash files, you should still provide a text alternative for accessibility. You should also keep in mind that Google isn't the only search engine out there, even if it is the most popular. It will take time for all of them to index Flash text.

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