According to 67% of digital marketers, having the right strategy for search engine optimization (SEO) is significant for their overall digital marketing plans.
There are two main types of search engine marketing: white hat and black hat. Both types of search engine marketing focus on increasing a website’s search rankings without violating the terms of Google’s guidelines. However, black hat and white hat techniques are different. While both involve the same goal, black hat strategies are more prone to generating penalties from Google.
In this guide, we will discuss what makes white hat SEO different from black hat SEO. We will also cover the basics of white hat SEO.
What is white at SEO?
White hat SEO is a strategy that aims to improve a website’s search engine ranking without resorting to “tricks”. Yes, you read that right, it’s all about staying on a search engine’s “good side”.
White hat SEO is a strategy that works seamlessly with search engines. It aims to improve a website’s search engine ranking without resorting to tricks and involves implementing techniques that are within the rules of the search engine.
Instead of focusing on spammy techniques, White hat SEO aims to provide relevant and high-quality content that will improve the user experience.
White Hat vs. Black Hat SEO
Whether they use black hat or white hat strategies, the goal remains the same for content marketers. The goal is to improve their website’s visibility on Google because a website ranking high on Google means potentially reaching 86% of internet users worldwide.
Therefore, understanding the differences between white hat and black hat SEO can help you improve your strategy.
While white hat SEO content is high-quality, black hat SEO is all about creating low-quality, spammy content.
While a white hat strategy uses well-labelled images and optimized text, a black hat strategy tends to use more dated techniques, like keyword stuffing.
Why Is White Hat SEO Important?
Without white hat search engine optimization, website owners would rely on outdated methods and strategies to rank on the search results. This could result in a chaotic search engine result.
White hat search engine optimization is beneficial for everyone. It helps Google rank great content that captures the user intent for every search. It also helps site owners boost their rankings without resorting to unethical tactics.
White hat SEO strategies
White hat strategies are very effective at building a solid foundation for your website. They can help boost your site’s search engine rankings and build a long-term positive reputation.
White hat SEO offers valuable content
Content is still king, so don’t produce content that’s only for search engines. Instead of producing content for search engines, create content that’s relevant to the people who are looking for information. Hence, your content MUST be relevant and authoritative.
White hat SEO meets user intent
The goal of search engine optimization is to provide users with the most relevant results possible. For example, if someone searches for Keto Pasta Recipes, the results will show them helpful information related to this type of diet.
There are various types of user intent, such as informational, commercial, and navigational. For instance, if someone browses a clothing website and says they’re looking to buy, that would be classified as commercial and transactional.
Key strategies to keep in mind:
- Know your audience and what they are looking for
- Optimize your content for keywords
- Include photos and videos
Make your website mobile-friendly
According to a 2019 study, 52.2% of internet users are accessing the web using a mobile device. Not being able to navigate your site properly on a mobile device can lead to lost leads.
To test your website’s mobile-friendliness, type your URL in the search box of Google’s mobile-friendly test tool. You’ll get an answer that shows you how your site looks on a phone screen.
To sum up
As part of your content marketing plan, implementing white hat SEO techniques is a must. Doing so will help improve your site’s search rankings without getting punished. It’s still a good bet to build an authoritative web presence. Reach out to us to help you get started.
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