Search Engine Optimization
Based in the Ottawa area, we help our clients with their computer and Internet needs. Our specialty is modifying our client's website content to ensure that search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and Bing give it a high ranking. In addition, we offer assistance in the design of web stores to simplify the shopping experience and enhance revenue.
While search engine optimization (SEO) is our specialty our clients often have other computer related needs. Our expertise allows us to help our clients in a variety of ways. We also offer webmaster services, computer network services, data recovery and other computer services.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Trying to fool a search engine
Recently I was talking with a client who asked a very simple question, "What would happen if we repeated a heading many times but did not actually display it on the page?" The idea behind this tactic being that when a search engine webcrawler reviews the site it will notice the headings and (presumably) determine that the website has a very high relevancy for whatever is contained within the headings. This technique has been around a long time, it may well be the original "black hat" technique of SEO and I would astonished if it still worked. By the way, there are many techniques for showing one set of content to people and another for webbots and I expect that some of them work very effectively.
The answer to my client's question is that (assuming it is done correctly meaning that the web bot is fooled into thinking that the content is real) the search engine ranking of the site will improve based upon the phantom content. That's a short answer and an accurate one however it does not tell the whole story. The crawlers are getting better all the time and phantom content is something they are learning to recognize. (For example, I would expect that many webcrawlers ignore headings that are not followed by content relevant to the heading.) A technique that works today may not work tomorrow. That's not a big deal though.
Using phantom content violates the terms of service that you have with the search engine companies. That does not make using such a technique illegal. The risk is that your website will be penalized or even banned from a search engine. The search engine companies have no obligation whatsoever to list your website. Once your website is banned or penalized it is a very slow process to get a good ranking again.
The answer to my client's question is that (assuming it is done correctly meaning that the web bot is fooled into thinking that the content is real) the search engine ranking of the site will improve based upon the phantom content. That's a short answer and an accurate one however it does not tell the whole story. The crawlers are getting better all the time and phantom content is something they are learning to recognize. (For example, I would expect that many webcrawlers ignore headings that are not followed by content relevant to the heading.) A technique that works today may not work tomorrow. That's not a big deal though.
Using phantom content violates the terms of service that you have with the search engine companies. That does not make using such a technique illegal. The risk is that your website will be penalized or even banned from a search engine. The search engine companies have no obligation whatsoever to list your website. Once your website is banned or penalized it is a very slow process to get a good ranking again.
Labels: Black Hat?
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Speaking of "trying to fool a search engine", you should add this to your FAQ:
Q: Is it OK to use a domain name or company name that includes the trademark "Google"?
A: No. Go to this page, and click "Domain Names":
http://www.google.com/permissions/index.html
Here's another one:
Q: Do people trust blogs that represent themselves as businesses?
Q: Is it OK to use a domain name or company name that includes the trademark "Google"?
A: No. Go to this page, and click "Domain Names":
http://www.google.com/permissions/index.html
Here's another one:
Q: Do people trust blogs that represent themselves as businesses?
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posted by 
: September 1, 2009 7:01 PM
: September 1, 2009 7:01 PM
I have heard this comment before. I do not and have not suggested that my business is in any way affiliated with Google. Additionally, my logo does not resemble Google's logo. In the event that you arrived at my site and believed that my business is or has been affiliated with Google then I assure I would be happy to set the record straight.
Regarding my URL, I do SEO work. Most people have not idea what "SEO" means. When I tell people my business is called "Googlerank" they immediately understand what I do. Second, Google is not in a position to permit or deny the use of URLs other than those that they own. As my site completes with well established SEO companies who understand their business I have no illusions regarding my rank with Google. Thus, if Google feels inclined to penalize the ranking of my website they are free to do so.
Black hat SEO techniques are all about trying fool search engines into giving you a rank that your site does not deserve. There is nothing questionable about my business or my site.
I would also like to add that I know people who work for Google and have yet to hear anything resembling a complaint.
Do people trust blogs that represent themselves as businesses? People are free to trust whom ever they wish. Is there anything in particular that I have written in the blog that you do not feel is accurate or otherwise trustworthy?
Regarding my URL, I do SEO work. Most people have not idea what "SEO" means. When I tell people my business is called "Googlerank" they immediately understand what I do. Second, Google is not in a position to permit or deny the use of URLs other than those that they own. As my site completes with well established SEO companies who understand their business I have no illusions regarding my rank with Google. Thus, if Google feels inclined to penalize the ranking of my website they are free to do so.
Black hat SEO techniques are all about trying fool search engines into giving you a rank that your site does not deserve. There is nothing questionable about my business or my site.
I would also like to add that I know people who work for Google and have yet to hear anything resembling a complaint.
Do people trust blogs that represent themselves as businesses? People are free to trust whom ever they wish. Is there anything in particular that I have written in the blog that you do not feel is accurate or otherwise trustworthy?
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