Search engine optimization professionals have probably heard of the term known as dubious SEO strategies. Blackhat SEO embraces a collection of strategies used to boost a website's or page's ranking in search engine rankings, but through methods that violate the search engines' terms of service.
Fundamentally, blackhat SEO is a quickfire approach that may get your site to the forefront of search results quickly. However, these techniques are often seen as unethical, and search engines like Google can heavily penalize sites found using them.
An infamous blackhat technique is excessive keyword usage. This involves packing a webpage with keywords or numbers to game a site's ranking in Google search results. They might appear in a list, pile, out of context, or hidden in the code.
Establishing link farms is another common method. Here, webpages are linked together in a circular network to boost the rank of all the websites in the network. However, if a page is linked to from numerous unrelated websites, it could also be penalized.
Cloaking is an even riskier blackhat method. This involves different content is presented to search engines than to users, essentially redirecting users to different pages apart from their knowledge.
Despite the website risks, why do people use blackhat SEO? The straightforward answer is: for instant success. These tactics give websites the appearance of relevance, boosting them up the search results fast.
However, the advantage is short-lived. Search engines now incorporate complex algorithms that identify these manipulative techniques. Once they're identified, penalties could include decreased rankings or even being removed entirely from the search index.
As a consequence, many websites are shifting to white hat SEO strategies. These are methods 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 experience.
In conclusion, while blackhat SEO may come across as a fast way to improve your site's visibility, it's a risky game to play. It's wiser to direct attention on whitehat SEO methods, that improve your website through appropriate means, thus providing long-term success.