SEO: Black Hat Pays Off?
I was at a conference for Stomper Net where Leslie Rohde was saying that there were Black Hats, White Hats, and Grey Hats when it comes to SEO. And that’s true. There are definite lines between white and black, but sometimes, the black and even grey areas can pay off in a big way.
But for how long? How long will spammy tactics work?
Only until Google figures out what’s going on and then, slams the hammer down on you.
They’re doing it again. (Check out Jason Lee Miller’s article in Web Pro News today here.) And you know, for once, I’m saying, “You go, Google!”
Really.
I mean, I look at things people do around the Web to try and yank Google’s chain and I can’t really blame the search giant for being pissed off. This time, it’s “gangs” who are using Web 2.0 sites to send tons of bogus links back to their sites, where malware and scareware is showing up. And, the sites are showing at the top of web pages, not with one link, but several of them.
This reminds me of Howie Schwartz. I don’t mean that he has malicious sites. He’s just a marketer trying to make a buck. But his tactics are to use all these Web 2.0 sites to send tons and tons of links to Google so that he’s showing up in the first several spots on a page for his keywords. At first glance, it’s all pretty slick and he’s making a lot of money. So, you’re thinking, Wow! I could do that, right?
But think about this: Google catches on to what you’re doing and guess what? All that work is down the tubes. Not only that, but if Google catches on to who you are, you could find yourself on the Google hit list. Who needs that? I’d hate to be banned from the search results for.ever.
Well, forever is a long time and it’s not really that tough to change spots, but I just can’t see doing a ton of work that eventually doesn’t pay off. I’m in this for the long haul, so to me, getting things done naturally within Google’s guidelines is the way to go. It’s just more efficient, right? I’d rather do the work once, and have it last. If you’re smart, you’ll avoid all the schemes and go for the steady on, too.
