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Strictly Speaking, Are all SEO Methods Blackhat?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by WebDev Solutions, Dec 27, 2012.

  1. #1
    We recently posted an article on our blog assessing search engine optimization in general, and questioning at what point does Whitehat SEO turn into Blackhat. Through reading Google's TOS, shouldn't any efforts to manipulate search listings (both on and off-page) be considered Blackhat? And if so, does that many any single link we create ourselves is a blackhat link?

    You can read our thoughts in detail here; SEO - Are all Hats Black?

    Considering the constant tweaks to Google's algorithm and stricter guidelines being enforced, it's certainly an interesting topic. What are your thoughts - at what stage do you go from Whitehat to Blackhat - what methods do you utilize, and which do you avoid?

    WebDev
     
    WebDev Solutions, Dec 27, 2012 IP
  2. webeveronpromo

    webeveronpromo Greenhorn

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    #2
    Not all SEO methods are black hat SEO, spamming and irrelevant posting is what is counted as a part of black hat SEO.
     
    webeveronpromo, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  3. WebDev Solutions

    WebDev Solutions Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Yet Google considers any effort to manipulate search as a violation of their TOS.

    Let us take an example. You visit a blog that's relevant to your niche and make a thoughtful and constructive comment, using one of your websites target keywords as your name and including your website URL. You may have made the comment because you enjoy the subject, but the facts remains that the driving factor behind your actions was to create a link back to your site- thus increasing your search engine ranking. In it's most basic form, that is still manipulation of the search results as you are expecting your actions to benefit your overall rankings - yet most SEO Analysts consider that "whitehat".

    Do you see my point?
     
    WebDev Solutions, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  4. deepak.pal

    deepak.pal Active Member

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    #4
    Thanks WebDev Solutions for sharing this article with us. I agree with you on this topic. Google consider everything blackhat which can manipulate ranking but never been able to check all things. It is the reason Google always trying to make its algorithms able to penalise websites which are over optimized. Google always keeps saying that they consider only genuine links which are rare for any new website. So I think keep doing things which makes your website good for human visitors is the key to be successful.
     
    deepak.pal, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  5. AbhinayaSree

    AbhinayaSree Peon

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    #5
    When you break the rules of Google Algorithm then only it is said black hat.
     
    AbhinayaSree, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  6. traxport121

    traxport121 Active Member

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    #6
    In a nutshell, any practice that is not intended towards brining a good and better use experience is a black hat method. Some good and genuine methods may also be labelled as black hat because they could be manipulated to trick users and search engines instead of benefiting users.
     
    traxport121, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  7. Brandon Sheley

    Brandon Sheley Illustrious Member

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    #7
    This coming from an "xrumer" blog. :rolleyes:
    yes, that's the famous spamming program which is indeed blackhat and blocked from all my sites ;)
     
    Brandon Sheley, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  8. WebDev Solutions

    WebDev Solutions Well-Known Member

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    #8
    I don't see how that's relevant in the slightest. We're posing the question, if a link is created for the purpose of potentially improving your search engine rankings - doesn't that make it blackhat my default? Yet blog commenting on niche relevant blogs is considered completely white by many SEO "Gurus".

    It's an interesting debate to say the least...
     
    WebDev Solutions, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  9. Elfen Lied

    Elfen Lied Banned

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    #9
    Firstly using blackhat seo techniques is not recommended at all and secondly, Hidden Content, Meta Keyword Stuffing and Doorway or Gateway Pages are so old ways that Google detects them easily and mark and penalize the websites used them.
     
    Elfen Lied, Dec 28, 2012 IP
  10. C.Rebecca

    C.Rebecca Active Member

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    #10
    You have got a point... If you are contributing something for the user, while making link for your own website.. that won’t be counted as black hat. Say, you are writing a blog with a link of your website and spreading it through different channels. You are creating links yourself but at the same time you are providing information to the user.
     
    C.Rebecca, Dec 30, 2012 IP
  11. SEODeal

    SEODeal Active Member

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    #11
    Use unique content for all your offpage and onpage activities that is white hat technique but its are costly.
     
    SEODeal, Dec 30, 2012 IP
  12. ashleyjohn2347

    ashleyjohn2347 Peon

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    #12
    No they aren't. Bookmarking, directory posting, blog comments, forum posting etc are purely white hated.
     
    ashleyjohn2347, Dec 31, 2012 IP
  13. PassGoSEO

    PassGoSEO Member

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    #13
    The only pure 'white hat' techniques are those that you use to AVOID crossing one of Google's lines.

    For example, using a keyword density tool to ensure your keyword density is under 5% is white hat, even though technically it is being done in an attempt to improve SERPs.

    This is because not even Google are insane enough to try and penalise people for NOT doing something that's not wrong.
     
    PassGoSEO, Dec 31, 2012 IP
  14. James Byun

    James Byun Active Member

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    #14
    Clearly, someone hasnt read whats being discuessed lol. But, as for the link situation, I think its not a black hat thing as long its not being abused to being "spammy".
     
    James Byun, Jan 1, 2013 IP
  15. WebDev Solutions

    WebDev Solutions Well-Known Member

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    #15
    Fair comment.

    I believe the majority of techniques can be utilized in a whitehat method- it depends how the user implements them. As an example, users registering on most online communities have an option to link to their website within their profile, and this is considered OK by most SEO's. However, when using automated software to do the exact same process but in bulk quantities (1000+ profiles at a time) this is seen as a blackhat method.

    WebDev
     
    WebDev Solutions, Jan 2, 2013 IP
  16. anjalipriya123

    anjalipriya123 Greenhorn

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    #16
    I agreed with webdevsolutions because when we try to proceed with automated software in order to complete in bulk hence it is not good seo.
     
    anjalipriya123, Jan 2, 2013 IP
  17. selectaupairs

    selectaupairs Greenhorn

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    #17
    According to me all seo process is not a Black hat seo.but while we submitted link at poor or not good site is called black hat so while we do seo please do attention on this point.
     
    selectaupairs, Jan 2, 2013 IP
  18. WebDev Solutions

    WebDev Solutions Well-Known Member

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    #18
    What's your opinion on using automated software(s) on tier 1 and tier 2 sites?

    WebDev
     
    WebDev Solutions, Jan 3, 2013 IP