Stefanie Olsen had a great News.com article out yesterday talking about how National Public Radio is turning its audio content into textual transcripts in an effort to gain better visibility with search engines. The argument around this method is that is looks like "cloaking." However, I frankly think that their strategy is a "sound" one. If I want to type in something that Bob Edwards said yesterday, how else am I going to find it than through a text transcript of the broadcast?
http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-5221267.html

[Via Search Engine Watch]

[Steve @ Rugles]

No one's questioning that providing Google with a text transcript is an effective way to help them index NPR sound files. The issue is why the user then doesn't get to view the actual text transcript? Obviously, it exists. But the agreement between Google and NPR appears to protect this, which isn't surprising as NPR sells these transcripts. So, NPR is given a benefit that many other companies would like but aren't allowed. Indeed, they are told the same tactics would get them banned.