A Darker Shade of SEO: The Blackhat Approach
Search engine optimization professionals have probably heard of the term known as dubious SEO strategies. Blackhat SEO entails a collection of strategies used to improve a website's more info or page's ranking in search engine results, but done in ways that violate the search engines' terms of service.
Fundamentally, blackhat SEO is a quickfire approach that can get your site to the forefront of search results quickly. However, these strategies are often seen as dishonorable, and search engines like Google can heavily penalize sites discovered using them.
One common blackhat technique is excessive keyword usage. This entails loading a webpage with key terms or numbers with the intent of manipulating a site's ranking in Google search results. They might come across in a list, pile, out of context or in a hidden div.
Establishing link farms is another common method. Here, websites are linked together in a circular network to boost the rank of all the pages in the chain. However, if a site is linked to from numerous unrelated websites, it can also be penalized.
Cloaking is an even riskier blackhat method. This is when different content is presented to search engines than to users, basically redirecting users to separate pages without their permission.
Despite the harsh consequences, why do people use blackhat SEO? The evident answer is: to achieve quick results. These methods give websites the illusion of relevance, boosting them up the search results quickly.
However, the benefit is temporary. Search engines now incorporate complex algorithms which identify these manipulative techniques. Once they're identified, penalties may include decreased rankings or even being erased entirely from the search index.
As a result, many websites are shifting to white hat SEO strategies. These are approaches that aim to build a website's prominence in legitimate ways. Some examples are creating relevant content that provides useful information to the reader, optimizing website tags, or creating a positive user experience.
In conclusion, while blackhat SEO may appear a quick way to increase your site's visibility, it's a dangerous game to play. It's wiser to direct attention on whitehat SEO methods, that improve your website through legal means, thus providing enduring success.