Search Engine Optimisation

How to avoid Search Engine Optimisation Spam

Warning! Never over optimise your site by trying to "deceive" search engine robots. Optimize your site fairly, in moderation and in a way that is relevant to your sites content. Excessive use of some of the following search engine optimisation techniques can be considered as spam and has lead to some sites being disqualified or even removed from some search engines altogether. The following information tells you how to avoid Search Engine Optimisation Spam.

Further information in our article "Search Engine Optimisation - The Right Way"
Further information in our article "What Search Engines Don't Like"

Alphabetical Priority
Don't tell directories your name is "@123acme" when your name is actually "Acme." You risk being rejected on the spot! Remember, directories are reviewed by human editors who can confirm your actual business name.

Alt Tags
Search engines don't penalize for using ALT tags or even for packing them with keywords. Still, to be safe you should adhere to the generally accepted rule of not repeating keywords more than 3-7 times.

Comment Tags
Search engines don't penalize sites using comment tags to boost keyword frequency. However, the general rule is not to repeat the same keyword more than 3-7 times in a tag. So, to be on the safe side, follow that rule in comment tags.

Keyword Frequency
Don't be tempted to use tiny or invisible text to put keywords at the beginning of your pages. Search engines define this behaviour as spam and can reject your site for it.

Keyword Url Names
Although directories may penalize you for misrepresenting your company's name, neither search engines nor directories will penalize you for inconsistent URL names. This means you can buy any second level domain name you want (as long as you don't infringe on others' trademarks and so on) and search engines will not penalize you for it.

Link Popularity
Avoid FFA sites and link exchange programs.

Meta Description Tag
Avoid repeating keywords more than 3-7 times in your meta description. Some search engines consider it to be spam.

Meta Title Tag
Don't repeat the same keyword in your title more than twice; it's considered spam. Also, some engines penalize for using all CAPS.