Various SEO strategies have long been legitimized and criticized with the terms, ‘gray hat’, ‘black hat’, and ‘white hat’. It has become more and more obvious that these terms are damaging rather than helping the SEO sector. This argument has been around for a while now, as several industry experts have often questioned the worth of the terminology. Anyhow, the terminology is still used, and search engine optimization professionals require a fresh model for evaluating SEO strategies. Keep reading to know more about the terminology.
The Color-Coded Terms Are Very Old-School
For years, SEO industry professionals have been utilizing the terms to define how ethical or unethical ranking techniques are. Black, white and gray hat differences are rather subjective, but almost every SEO professional knows the meanings of the terms.
Black Hat
It alludes to unethical search engine optimization strategies that breach search engine guidelines, primarily Google’s, to manipulate rankings. Some of the common black hat strategies are cloaking, content automation, keyword stuffing, as well as the utilization of link farms and paid links.
According to some of the best providers of SEO services Cochin, using the aforementioned strategies is likely to lead to Google penalties.
Gray Hat
The strategies described with the term ‘grayhat’ are not black/wrong and not white/right. The word gray in the descriptor refers to that complicated area where right and wrong SEO practices are hard to judge. The best SEO packages providers say that utilizing these strategies might also bring about a penalty from Google.
White Hat
The strategies that abide by Google’s guidelines are referred to as ‘white hat’. As these do not breach the search engine’s guidelines, their use will not lead to the said penalty. Some of the white hat search engine optimization practices are improving page load speed, making useful web content, and keyword research.
The Main Dilemma
There are many reasons why SEO experts do not fancy terminology. For one, it makes unwanted limitations. SEO professionals work within a system centered around Google, but they serve their clientele or employers, not the search engine company.
Anyhow, the terminology revolves around the search engine’s rules instead of the professionals’ business bottom line. SEO professionals tend to make strategic calls that prove unfavorable to their company despite abiding by the rules. So, the professionals should be creative instead of merely following the rulebook. An SEO strategy may not be in accordance with Google guidelines, but it can still be used in certain situations.
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