Unless it's a "100% frame" (i.e. a single frameset covering the entire page) then search engines won't count the contents of the frame as part of the page at all (100% frames seem to have 302-style handling). Unless they're copying your content directly, then it isn't that content that's the issue. If they are directly copying content, then you can legally prevent them from doing so.

I think you'll need to look elsewhere for the solution to poor rankings.

Incidentally, if they're your own affiliates, why would you want to prevent them using frames for visitors using javascript? Affiliates have to obey your terms or you don't pay them commission or kick them out of your program.

just so I can understand, you mean that if the frame covers the whole page, it won't have any effect? Or it will have an effect on my rankings (or a possible effect)?

I want to use javascript because I dont want the search engines to think that the affiliates site is the genuine article. Using javascript to unblock the frame re-shows the full affiliate URL, instead of my site being masked on his domain.

Whilst search engines may have a limited understanding of javascript, I think you are ascribing to them a level of intelligence that is somewhat greater than the reality.

As a matter of principle, I would not want any site framing my efforts. However, in this case, since it's an affiliate, the question of motivation arises. If they are attempting to pass off your content as their own, then by all means break the frames. On the other hand, if breaking frames stops them receiving monies, then you can expect them to be miffed.

Kaled.

Think of a frame as a "window" into someone else's content. All that is on your affiliates site is the frame - not the view out of the window.

just so I can understand, you mean that if the frame covers the whole page, it won't have any effect? Or it will have an effect on my rankings (or a possible effect)?

Not quite. There's an old school spam technique which is to use a frame that covers the whole browser window (a 100% frame) these have particular handling by Google, essentially treating them a bit like a redirect.

If your affiliate is framing your content within a page of their own content, then all they have is the frame - not your content. Search engines will not be confused as to whether it is your content or theirs, since they won't consider it part of the affiliate site at all. there is not technology you can use to alter this.

If you have ranking problems, the fact that your content is framed is almost certainly unrelated, and you should concentrate your efforts elsewhere.

it might not be completely unrelated. if the site is attracting links to the framed page - which it might be if all you can see is your own content - then that page will eventually rise up the rankings. obviously it would take quite a few links, and people would have to use relevant linking text, but it's not that hard.

but i've just thought of something... if they are framing your entire site then you should just leave it, it's not a problem.
the affiliate will not get any benefit out of the sales he makes because none of the links that people can see contain his linking code -- the affiliate will not even be able to register the fact that he's made a sale.

unless he's rewriting the links, of course. but that's a whole other problem.

A good point, londrum, that an affiliate could potentially "hijack" links by framing a site.

It would be aneasy link building strategy to correct though: "I've noticed your linking to an affiliate who has been framing my content against my terms and conditions. It would be great if you could update your link..." ;)

The affiliate code is not an issue, since the frameset link typically contains the affiliate code

hi. thanks for the replies. basically, the only thing the affiliate has on his site is my site in a frame, with his affiliate code imbedded, so he does get the sales.

he doesn't have any content on his site. It's my whole site he's put on a frame.

The reason why he said he did this, is to stop customers from seeing the affiliate URL, which would happen if he used a normal re-direct or direct link. However the fact remains that Google or any other engine might think that his site is MY GENUINE SITE.

Can google etc be that daft to think like that?

I built a small site for a friend at hername.mydomain and found that the cut price registrar that she had signed up with used frames for forwarding the url.

Google recognises that the actual site is hername.mydomain and that is the site in the SERPS not her own domain name. Bing recognises her own domain name for the home page but also finds hername.mydomain for other pages.

Judging by that experience I don't think you need worry much about search engines.

he doesn't have any content on his site. It's my whole site he's put on a frame.

sounds like you're doing all the work and he's just pocketing the money. he's even using all your bandwidth to do it.

actually, what the affiliate does is use his own site to promote the product. then he re-directs it to the frame site, which is my whole site in the frame.