Google and Spam

Google and Spam
Within their ‘Webmaster Guidelines’, Google outlines techniques used to help Google locate, index and rank your website. They also specifically state that the following techniques may lead them to remove your website from the Google index:

• Hidden text links.

• Black hat, cloaking or inappropriate redirects.

• Automated queries to Google.

• Keyword stuffing.

• Multiple pages, subdomains, or domains with substantially duplicate content.

• Doorway pages created just for search engines with little or no original content.

However, bear in mind that these aren’t the only inappropriate (black hat) practices that Google disapproves of. Generally, Google doesn’t like their search results manipulated by deceptive practices.

The Google recommendations offer the following advice. Webmasters who spend their energies upholding the spirit of the basic principles listed above will provide a much better user experience and subsequently enjoy better ranking than those who spend their time looking for loopholes they can exploit.

To combat common search engine spam practices employed by rogue SEOs, Google has also posted a list of practices that should raise a red flag when you are looking for a search engine optimisation service provider.

According to Google, be very wary of an SEO who include the following in their SEO repertoire:

• Puts links to their other clients on doorway pages.

• Offers to sell keywords in the address bar.

• Doesn’t distinguish between actual search results and ads that appear in search results.

• Guarantees ranking (using obscure, keyword phrases you would get anyway).

• Has had domains removed from Google’s index or is not itself listed in Google.

If you would further information on cost effective search engine optimisation that works, why not give Direct Submit a call and see how we can help you make your website work harder for you.