Search engine optimization professionals have probably heard of the expression known as dubious SEO strategies. Blackhat SEO entails a collection of strategies deployed to increase a website's or page's ranking in search engine rankings, 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 top of search engine rankings quickly. However, these techniques are often seen as manipulative, and search engines like Google would seriously penalize sites discovered using them.
A popular blackhat technique is overusing keywords. This means filling a webpage with keywords or numbers to game a site's ranking in Google search results. They might appear in a list, group, out of context, or hidden in the code.
Creating link farms is another common method. Here, sites are tied together in a circular network to improve the rank of all the pages in the network. However, if a page is linked to from many irrelevant sites, it could also be penalized.
Cloaking is an especially deceptive blackhat method. This is when different content is presented to search engines than to users, more info essentially redirecting users to separate pages apart from their knowledge.
Despite the harsh consequences, why do people use blackhat SEO? The straightforward answer is: for instant success. These tactics give websites the pretense of relevance, boosting them up the search results rapiidly.
However, the advantage is short-lived. Search engines now incorporate complex algorithms that identify these deceptive techniques. Once they're identified, penalties could include decreased rankings or even being deleted entirely from the search index.
As a consequence, many websites are embracing white hat SEO strategies. These are approaches that aim to build a website's prominence in legitimate ways. Some examples are creating meaningful content that provides valuable information to the reader, optimizing website tags, or creating a positive user journey.
In conclusion, while blackhat SEO may appear a quick way to increase your site's visibility, it's a risky game to play. It's smarter to direct attention on whitehat SEO techniques, which improve your website through appropriate means, thus providing enduring success.