Search Engine News Blog Headline

Google Defines "Ethical" SEO

This week Google made the unprecedented decision to publish their definition of "ethical" search engine optimization on their Webmaster Guidelines page. 

Professional SEO's around the world are jumping for joy to see the search engine giant finally clarifying their stance on the whole subject of search engine optimization and supporting ethical SEOs instead of writing them ALL off as sleazy as other search engines tend to do. Google even admit SEO services are beneficial for web sites, stating:

On the same page, Google provide advice on how to detect "unethical" SEOs, what to expect from a search engine optimization expert and what questions to ask before signing up. According to Google, webmasters should avoid any SEO that:

- owns shadow domains (multiple domains pointing to the same content)

- puts links to their other clients on doorway pages

- offers to sell keywords in the address bar

- doesn't distinguish between actual search results and ads that appear in search results (pay per click listings)

- guarantees ranking on obscure or extra long keyword phrases (as opposed to guaranteeing satisfaction)

- operates with multiple aliases or falsified WHOIS info

- gets traffic from "fake" search engines, spyware or scumware

- has had domains removed from Google's index or is not itself listed in Google

Webmasters are sure to find this information extremely useful when choosing an SEO expert. Having the Google seal of approval will also greatly assist "ethical" search engine optimizers who have been struggling to make themselves heard over the din of the industry's sleazy reputation.

This move by Google is sure to have an enormous impact on the future of the SEO industry. It heralds a new era in the industry where search engines & professional SEO's start to communicate openly, creating an information exchange for the possible development of an industry-wide set of acceptable search engine optimization standards. 

Once again, Google demonstrate why they are so successful. They listen closely to their market and always set the pace for others to follow.