We all know that SEO helps websites appear high in the search rankings and it’s vital for business growth.
But, as with everything else in life, there’s a right way and a wrong way of doing search engine optimisation.
So, let’s get this out of the way from the get-go, black hat SEO is, and always will be the wrong way.
But what is black hat SEO exactly and how do you spot it?
Put simply, it’s the practice of abusing loopholes, exploits and glitches in search engine algorithms to gain higher rankings in search results.
And companies like Google HATE these practices.
Sure, they might provide a large boost in search engine traffic in a relatively short period of time. But unethical SEO tactics are the fastest way to get your website penalized, sometimes doing irreparable damage to your website’s reputation.
Understand that search engines like Google exist for one purpose, connecting searchers with exactly what they want.
Which means earning the coveted spot at the top of the search results is done ethically by providing what searchers are looking for.
Black hat SEO ignores this completely by using underhanded tactics to trick search AI into ranking a site far higher than it should be.
So how do you know who’s legit and who’s out to make a quick buck at your expense?
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Look out for bold statements like “instant results” and “guaranteed higher rankings in under a week”.
Good SEO takes time (check out our piece on the subject) and there’s no silver bullet answer that doesn’t involve manipulating the system.
Remember that the risks always outweigh the rewards.
Google is clamping down harder on black hat tactics every year, closing loopholes and penalizing websites who fail to meet their code of practice.
Getting caught out can cost you big on long-term revenue generation, completely negating any savings you may have made by engaging with cut-price SEO vendors.
Deal with reputable SEO companies.
Trust us, it’s worth your time and money to seek out SEO companies that operate ethically within Google’s terms of use.
You’ll find that reputable SEO companies won’t try to confound you with jargon you don’t understand or push you into a quick sale with a load of empty promises.
Do your research and make an informed decision by choosing an SEO company with a proven track record of providing real results.
