Search engine optimization professionals have probably heard of the expression known as unscrupulous SEO techniques. Blackhat SEO involves a collection of strategies deployed to boost a website's or page's ranking in search engine results, but through methods that violate the search engines' terms of service.
Essentially, blackhat SEO is a rapid route that here could get your site to the forefront of search results quickly. However, these tactics are usually seen as manipulative, and search engines like Google may severely penalize sites found using them.
An infamous blackhat technique is overusing keywords. This entails filling a webpage with key terms or numbers to game a site's ranking in Google search rankings. They might appear in a list, group, out of context, or overlaid on the background.
Link farming is another common tactic. Here, websites are linked together in a circular network to improve the rank of all the sites in the circle. However, if a site is linked to from many irrelevant sites, it may also be penalized.
Cloaking is an even more extreme blackhat method. This involves different content is presented to search engines than to users, effectively redirecting users to alternate pages aside from their permission.
Despite the harsh consequences, why do people use blackhat SEO? The straightforward answer is: to achieve quick results. These tactics give websites the illusion of popularity, boosting them up the search results fast.
However, the gain is fleeting. Search engines now incorporate advanced algorithms which identify these fraudulent techniques. Once they're identified, penalties can include lower rankings or even being removed entirely from the search index.
As a result, many websites are shifting to white hat SEO strategies. These are techniques that aim to build a website's prominence in legitimate ways. Some methods are creating relevant content that provides helpful information to the reader, optimizing website tags, or creating a positive user journey.
So, while blackhat SEO may appear a rapid way to boost your site's visibility, it's a risky game to play. It's smarter to direct attention on whitehat SEO methods, that improve your website through legitimate means, thereby providing long-term success.