How do you really know someone is not doing something that is blackhat? I mean everyone that does SEO has different techniques.
If it's spammy/manipulative you should avoid it. Stop looking for shortcuts and focus on adding value. It also wouldn't be a bad idea checking out the google webmaster guidelines.
Thanks so much for the tip. Would it be wise to pay someone to do SEO? Then again you have people that charge $300 a month and then $3000, so would it be safe to say that the $300 a month would be spammy?
Not necessarily I have seen agencies charging thousands per month that offer very little value. Like anything in business, it depends on who you are working with. Personally I think you should get a better grasp of SEO yourself so you understand it a bit better before trying to outsource it. Otherwise, you will never really know what you're getting yourself into.
Dcristo, Just sent you a message! So to really understand it I need to really read google webmaster guidelines?