Best way to re-order page elements based on search engine users

[StickyRiceSEO]

Both versions of the page has essentially same content, but in different order. One is for users coming from Google (and google bot) and other is for everybody else.

Questions:

• Is it cloaking?
• what will be the best way to re-order elements on the page: totally different style sheets for each version, or calling in different divs in a same style sheet?
• Is there any better way to re-order elements based on search engine?

Let me make it clear again: the content is same for everyone, just in different order for visitors coming from Google and everybody else. Don't ask me the reason behind it (executive orders!!)

[Dr-Pete]

I think we were confused about how the actual pages differ? Is the visible content Google is getting different, or is it just source code. Without giving away too many details, can you explain how the content/code is different?

[StickyRiceSEO]

Both versions meaning, (1) for users coming from Google and (2) coming from everywhere else- yahoo, direct load, e-mail links etc.

[Dr-Pete]

Agreed - if you're talking about source-code order, it can be considered cloaking AND it's not very effective these days. Google seems to have a general ability to parse the visual elements of your site (at least, site-wide, if not page-by-page). In most cases, just moving around a few code elements has little or no impact. It used to make a difference, but general consensus from people I've talked to is that it hasn't for a couple of years. These days, it can definitely look manipulative.

[mytouchoftech]

If you're stuck on doing this, I would recommend using a backend programming language like .Net or PHP to detect the Google Bot and generate a completely different page.  That being said, it's highly black hat, and I wouldn't recommend doing anything close to it.  Google doesn't like being fooled and has stated it penalizes for sites that try to display different content to the bot and users who browse the site normally.

[NakulGoyal]

I am guessing you are trying to reorder the sequence of HTML or on-page copy / H1 tags or something like that to essentially get the maximum benefit. If that's the case, then it's absolutely not recommended. Anything you are trying to do that only helps your site rank better, unfortunately is a form of cloaking. It's trying to fool the bot.

If however you are trying to help the user, it makes sense, but the way the question sounds, it is unlikely.

Think from a Search Engine's Perspective. Would you like your bot be fooled/manipulated ? The bots get smarter day by day and this form of cloaking is very old and is definitely track-able. Therefore I would suggest you not to do this.

[Andropenis_Australia]

What do you mean exactly by "Both versions of the page"?

And what is the outcome you hope to get from this?