It should come as no surprise that Google is getting smarter. The gold standard of search engines is using AI and machine learning to create better search results for users.
That means you need to make sure you are investing in the best possible strategies to boost SEO. If not, you may fail to reach more users through search results and find your efforts go nowhere in digital marketing.
Unless you know the difference between black hat vs. white hat you could even be sabotaging your own rankings.
Here’s why: black hat techniques try and trick Google and other search engines. The smarter Google gets, the harder it is to fool.
Here’s how to know the difference:
White Hat Is Content Driven
While content is only one element of SEO and white hat techniques, it remains the mark of the best approach for success. Google’s bots want to make sure you are creating the type of information users want.
The best way to do that is by creating content that readers want, interact with, and share.
Black Hat Involves Sleight of Hand
How can you tell if you are using black hat techniques? The easiest question to ask is if you are trying to trick Google.
Black hat might use hidden words or present one type of content to readers and others via HTML. At this point, Google is so advanced that even overstuffing keywords can hurt your rankings rather than help them.
Speaking of keywords, if you are using unrelated keywords in your content you are likely attempting a black hat approach.
The risk here is that users will leave as soon as they arrive at your site. What’s worse, Google is likely to penalize your rankings.
The Best SEO Techniques are White Hat
Ask any proven digital marketing professional and they will espouse the virtues of white hat. The best SEO techniques are white hat because they work to create an audience and then build upon those users.
Even if adding tools to your content to help white hat results confuses you, there’s no reason to try and pull one over on the search engines. This website will link you to professionals that can help.
Effective keywords, proper site indexing, internal links, and backlinks are all part of a white hat strategy.
Use Black Hat Vs. White Hat To Your Advantage
When considering black hat vs. white hat, you might find it tempting to fall for black hat techniques. However, they have another drawback: you can make more money utilizing white hat.
When it comes to making money from a blog you need to know more than only rankings. You want to make the most of your content by monetizing your blog.
If you build your audience through stellar content and the best SEO techniques there are a variety of ways to make money.
You may want to sell digital products, sell ad space, or promote other services and items. If so, make sure you make the most of your blog. Find out more now about how to monetize your blog.