Very interesting question recently on Quora regarding SEO and a new term I hadn’t previously seen discussed. Black Hat and White SEO.
As I’m sure you know, SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization. Google seems to control guidelines and rules for SEO as the Oxford Dictionaries do for the comma. I read any snippets of information on SEO I can as I want to be cognizant of any hints and ideas that might help in Google algorithms–they control what you see–or how deeply you have to dig to find what I’ve written.
As Mark Jamieson, Managing Partner & Internet Marketing Strategist explains it: “Black hat would be highly aggressive SEO tactics focused solely on search engines.” These SEO tactics exclude the human visitor, which should be the number one issue with each blog post. Therefore, keyword stuffing, spammy blogs, and link farms, etc., are considered a no-no. Somewhere, I’m sure there is an explanation for what constitutes keyword stuffing and the rest. What is the number that would be considered excessive? Would this post be considered excessive? (I don’t think so.)
While Black Hat campaigns may get you numbers in the short run, Mr. Jamieson admonishes the use alluding to the algorithms that will eventually catch up with you–and then there will be penalties.
White Hat SEO on the other hand refers to tactics held within Google guidelines. You can follow some guidelines in their simple little 32-page .pdf. The basics according to Optimizing Content, page 14:
Offer quality content and services
Write better anchor text
Optimize your use of images
Use heading tags appropriately
Following Google’s guide bot “best practices” as outlined makes it easier for search engines to find, crawl, and index your content. Best practices are outlined in large, easy to follow instructions. They also describe practices that should be avoided; i.e., vague page titles, duplicate tags for each page, and page titles that are excessive.
Streamline for easy navigation of your website. You are a virtual host–seek to anticipate the requirements of your readers.
There are additional hints offered by Michael J Schiemer, Top 100 Social Media Influencer & Published Author:
Site Speed (includes optimizing photos)
Internal Links (link to your other posts within your blog or website with a similar subject)
Social Media (apparently Google wants to see if you drive your social media traffic to your site)
According to a post made some time ago by a fellow author/member of the Phoenix Publishing and Book Promotion, Dharma Kelleher, the key to SEO is relevance.
And here is my hint: Make the print dark enough that it is easy to read.
Relevance yes–or as they keep saying “Content is King.” Perhaps you have whittled the rules you use down to less than 32 pages–in my case, it must be simple. I’d love to hear your ideas on the subject! Did this post provide insight? ©2017 Virginia Williams 
