Knowing About Search Engine Optimization Scams Makes
It A Lot Harder For Scammers To Take Advantage Of You
How Can You Identify An SEO Scam?
Signs Of SEO Scam Tactics Being Used
How To Protect Yourself From SEO Scam
Report The Problem To The Search Engines
What To Do If You've Fallen Victim To SEO Scam
How Can You Identify An SEO Scam?
The problem with an seo scam is that far too often people actually ask to be scammed. Most people doing this do so because they don't realize that they are doing. They have no idea that what they are asking a so-called SEO to do is actually a scam SEO tactic. Sadly, this just goes to show how pervasive and "wonderful" an SEO Scam can seem. How many other forms of scam do people ASK to have done?
Because people ask to be scammed in this way, this list should also be considered a list of what NEVER to ask for when it comes to having SEO done on a website, etc.
Guaranteed SEO Results
Any SEO provider that tells you that they can get you Guaranteed placement for a highly sought after term, phrase, or keyword is outright lying. Even if someone could figure out "the magic solution", the Search Engines (especially Google) update their algorithms constantly. It's highly unlikely that any one person at Google even knows all the things the Search Engine is looking for at any one time.
Quick SEO Results
Real results take time! Search Engine Optimization is an ongoing process built largely on trial and error. If someone tells you that they can get results very quickly (or in a pre-determined time frame) means they will be using "expressly forbidden" practices to do so.
Unused Top Placement
It easy to rank for things no one else wants - like "glorias dog washing orlando florida" for example. That would only be of use to one person all across the world - Gloria. To get top placement in something like that doesn't mean anything. You could do that on your own without doing anything special.
A Lot Of Talk About Link Popularity Or Traffic
Link popularity isn't something that can be manipulated artificially without going against the rules and guidelines set by the Search Engines - doing so could get you deleted. Link Popularity only helps you in one way anyway - to get traffic to come to the website. This may seem like a good idea, but which would you prefer: 1) two thousand people coming to the website every day, taking one look, and then leaving, or 2) fifty people a day who come and actually buy something, etc.? You don't just want visitors, you want the right kind of visitors - people interested in what you have to offer.
Backlinking / Link Building
Backlinking or Link Building is the process of artificially created links from other websites to your own for purpose of increasing link popularity (and traffic). Not only can this result in you being deleted, as said above, you want the right kind of traffic, not just any traffic. This is not to be confused with writing blog posts, etc. with links back to your website - at least not as long as you're the one writing them and people know that.
Required To Link To The SEO
Search Engine Optimization and SEO scam tactics rely heavily on linking things together. Many non-reputable providers want you to link your website back to theirs. This increases their own possible rankings but does nothing for you. Why should they get the benefit if you're the one paying for the service?
Hidden SEO Tactics
Search Engine Optimization does involve a wide range of elements. What it doesn't involve is "secrets". If an SEO tells you what they offer is "classified" or uses "proprietary technology" that means they are scamming you. If it's real they will at least give you something to work with (not every detail, but enough so you know what's happening). On the same note, if someone puts something on your website that people can't see (is hidden) that too is a violation of the Search Engine Guidelines. Know what's happening.
Their Website Doesn't Rank
If an Search Engine Optimization "expert" has their own website, ask what keywords their website is optimized for. If the site isn't totally new, they should be able to rank very high for that term. Don't settle for some obscure term no one would ever search for, these are supposed to be professionals. Expect hard to obtain results - that's what they are offering to you after all. If they can't do it for themselves, how can they do it for you?
Website / Results Ownership
A very big scam in Search Engine Optimization (and website design) is for the people doing the work to retain ownership of the website or results in some way. You are paying for them to do that, if you don't own it or get all the results, they are looking for you to pay them to build or maintain their own website. If you don't own it, don't pay for it!
It Can't Possibly Be That Easy!
It something seems like there is no way it could possibly be as easy as the SEO is telling you it is they're outright lying. Search Engine Optimization is a complex field that requires a huge amount of knowledge and understanding. Very little about it is all that "easy"!
What Would You Do In The Real World?
Aside from the tried and true "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" expression, when it comes to Search Engine Optimization ask yourself "would that ever happen in the real world?" Since the internet is just an extension of the real world, look to see if that exact same service, idea, or suggestion would ever be done by a real business. If it doesn't make sense in the real world, it won't make sense online either!
See what Google has to say on the issue of Search Engine Optimization directly. It's a great way to get an idea of what happening, and they talk about some common scams.
Check out The WebMarketCentral Blog's take on "7 Ways NOT to Select an SEO Consultant".
Signs Of SEO Scam Tactics Being Used
People using Search Engine Optimization as a way to scam others has some very distinct signs that you need to be aware of. Even if you're not an expert or have much experience, keeping your eyes open can save you a world of trouble later on. The things listed here are just some of the common things to look out for. This is by no means a complete list.
Take a moment to first look at these pictures and notice some things about them -
This first picture is taken directly from a website that is using SEO Scam tactics (some more obvious than others). Take a moment to look at the picture. Look at the very bottom of the page, notice all those text links - we'll talk about them below.
This is a very small sample of the code for all of those text links. This is a tactic used by scammers, it's completely Black Hat SEO, and is directly forbidden by the Search Engines. The main reason being that it isn't there for the people to see, it's there to scam their way into higher Search Results.
Text or Links Hidden On A Website (Theirs or Yours)
Any time you have something on a website that's hidden from the view of the people using the site, it's a good indicator of scam tactics being used. This act alone can get you deleted from the Search Engines. This doesn't just have to be elements hidden off of the page, it can be using the same text and background color (like this is here) like we did between the brackets [highlight the text to see what we wrote]. It can also be things hidden behind pictures, placed in coding elements that are not used or displayed, etc.
Providing False Certification Marks
In the picture above, you can also see that the website claims to be using "VeriSign" which is a special security feature that encrypts any information being sent over the website. This is something very commonly seen with online retailers, or anywhere there is sensitive information being used (like your credit card number). If someone is claiming they use this service without actually doing so, any information you give them will not be safe. Plus, since this is a scam tactic there is also a good chance they will either abuse that information (make false credit card purchases etc.) or sell that information to someone else. This may only result in you getting a huge influx of spam - but that isn't good either. Most browsers make a big deal of showing which sites are "safe". If the site doesn't show up as "safe" according to the browser, yet they openly use the certification mark, they are trying to scam you (it doesn't matter which certification make used).
Huge Amount Of Traffic Yet People Aren't Buying Anything
If you've had Search Engine Optimization work done on your website and you notice a large increase in visitors but a decrease in "conversions" (people going from visitor to buyer, client, subscriber, etc.) you got scammed. SEO providers that don't know what they're doing (or those trying to scam you) will tell you that you want more visitors to your website. This is only partly true. You do want visitors, you just don't want any old visitors - you want people looking for what you have to offer. If you're SEO is targeted to the right kind of visitors, your "conversions" should be increasing - not decreasing.
You're Getting A Huge Bounce Ratio
On the internet the term "bounce" means someone goes to a website and less then three seconds later hits the back button to go back where they came from. Bouncing only happens when people find something that is different from what they're looking for. If someone wants to buy shoes but ends up on a website selling apple sauce, they will simple "bounce" and look elsewhere. If you've had Search Engine Optimization work done, the bounce rate should be very small if there is any at all. The higher the bounce rate, the more "wrong" people are being lured to your website by false information.
How To Protect Yourself From SEO Scam
The best and easiest way to protect yourself from Search Engine Optimization scam is to stay informed. Know what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to the Search Engines. That is actually very easy to do - you don't even have to look to the Search Engines to find out either. All you have to do is look at things from the Search Engine's perspective. If you were the Search Engine, would you want other people using that same tactic? If the answer is "no" then don't use it yourself and be aware of others who are offering to do it for you.
If you have the time (and if you want to hire someone to do Search Engine Optimization you should make the time) search the internet for things dealing with SEO. There are a wide range of websites all over the place that will help you learn more about SEO and what to avoid - like our website for example! The more you can inform yourself about what things to avoid and which things you should be looking to do, the harder it is for people to scam you or try and offer you some service you don't need - Information Is Power!
Then of course we have the old trusty standby "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!" It doesn't matter what type of scam it is, this simple idea applies to all forms of scam - not just ones related to the internet or Search Engine Optimization. Of course, along with that one also comes "when in doubt ask questions". If you don't like the answers you get, move on!
Report The Problem To The Search Engines
Search Engines spend huge amount of time, money, and effort each year to try and protect their users from Search Engine Optimization Scams and Black Hat SEO techniques. If you find a website that is doing something they shouldn't be, you can report them directly to the Search Engines. This is especially important if the people who own the website are scamming people in any way, shape, or form. By letting the Search Engines know about their website and behavior, there is a good chance they will at least have their own Search Results dropped. This may not seem like a big thing - however, if no one can find them through the Search Engines it will make it that much harder for them to be able to scam other people.
Google Spam Reporting
To be able to report a website through Google you have to first sign in to the Google Webmaster Central. Membership is free and Google also offers many other great tools for webmaster to use (not just SEO). Go directly to Google Spam Report Area
Learn more about Google Guidelines Etc.
Yahoo!
Go directly to Yahoo! Spam Abuse Report Area
Learn more about Yahoo! Search Content Quality Guidelines
Bing (MSN)
Go directly to Bing Web Spam Report Area
Learn more about Bing Guidelines For Successful Indexing
What To Do If You've Fallen Victim To SEO Scam
If you've fallen victim to the Scam SEO Problem, the first thing you want to do is gather as much information as you can. The more things you can provide others to assist you the better. Make sure to get information like the names and contact information of the people involved in the SEO Scam. If they have a website, document the address and do a whois search to see who owns the domain name (eg: Whois.net). If the people, group, or business belongs to any kind of organizations or regulatory bodies in any way, make sure you document all of that too - you will need it.
Once everything is documented (including a complete breakdown of everything that happened leading up to this process) you want to start letting others know about their scam practices. If the scammers have a real-world business, contact THEIR local Better Business Bureau and lodge a formal complaint with them. If they belong to any group or body, lodge a formal complaint with them as well. This will help to tarnish their name and make sure others will know to avoid them.
From there, you can also report them to government agencies dealing with such matters. In the United States this would be done through the Federal Trade Commission. Even if they don't have a real-world office, they are still liable for their actions. In the event that they don't reside in the United States you can also report them to EConsumer.gov - a place to report complaints about online and related transactions with foreign companies. You can also look into hiring a lawyer, reporting them to your local District Attorney's office or other such organization, or even contacting various media outlets (both online and locally).
Under no circumstances it is acceptable for others to make false claims, provide scam services, or otherwise rip off others (knowingly or otherwise). Even if something was done unintentionally, people and companies are directly liable for any damages they cause (even if they are hiding behind some sort of disclaimer). If in doubt, understand that it's far better to report them and let the experts figure it all out than to let them get away with their scams.
Far too often people let others get away with this kind of behavior because they are afraid to get involved. This fear is what allows these types of people to get away with their scams and inflict their harm on others. By standing up and reporting the situation to the authorities makes it a lot harder for them to scam others. It will also allow you to regain some level of control over the ordeal so you don't have to be the "victim" anymore.
When in doubt, report it and let the experts figure it all out for you!
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