SEO Don’ts – The Difference Between Black Hat and White Hat SEO

Everyone wants to snag the top spot in Google search results, we get it. We hear it all the time. But, getting that prized spot on the first page takes time, patience and work - which is precisely why SEO exists. SEO tactics vary though, there’s a legit way of going about things and then there’s the other route you don’t want to venture down.

White hat SEO refers to the kosher methods of search engine optimization that abide by search engine rules and look to add value to the internet by contributing useful content and a great user experience. Black hat SEO on the other hand refers to sketchy methods and techniques that focus strictly on manipulating search engines to get higher rankings in the SERPs (search engine results pages).  

Black hat SEO appears tempting because it can yield quick results but it’s a short sighted solution to the long term problem of organic search traffic. It’s risky and it’s a risk you don’t want to take. Google’s Panda and Penguin algorithm updates sought to detect these unethical techniques and stomp them out - penalizing sites through lower rankings, excluding them from the SERPs altogether and even banning them from the search engine.

If an SEO company promises to get you on the front page in no time – be weary. They could be using techniques that will get you nowhere on the web. And I mean that literally – you will be nowhere on the web because you’ll have been banned.

Check out this wonderful infographic by Marketing Zen which succinctly illustrates the difference between white hat and black hat SEO techniques:  

By MarketingZen.com