SEO Scam Detection

Right from the start, recognize this: no outside firm knows how Google or any other search engine works. Some search engine optimization (SEO) companies will literally guarantee significant search term ranking within days or a couple of weeks for a brand new website. This is an untrue statement that a truly credible SEO company would not make.

Nor can any SEO expert guarantee you the top results in the search engines for any widely searched keyword phrase unless they are going to buy that term-- usually at premium pricing. SEOs that market that type of claim normally select phrases like your company's name or something so obscure that no one is likely to search on it any way. It's just fine for an SEO to make some limited promises, but if they claim they can get definitely get you a number one spot, stay away.

For instance, it's very impressive to come up first on the web (in the first 10 positions) for a popular search term like "mortgage" or even "mortgage discount". However, if your website is designed such that a search brings up your company's name first on Google - it's really no big deal.

Always ask for explanations where processes or statements are confusing or unclear. If an SEO firm develops deceptive content for you such as "doorway pages", your site can be permanently removed from Google's index. You are ultimately responsible for online activities and results produced, so it's smart to ensure you understand exactly how the SEO intends to serve you.

Once you have purchased a domain name, you will begin to be contacted by SEO scam firms. Some will just grab your money and simply do nothing, while others can actually prove to be very harmful to your online presence. So it's important prior to hiring an SEO firm, that you definitely ensure your own basic understanding of how this whole SEO service industry works.

Offline, many of these so-called experts frequent small business conventions in search of suckering in non-tech savvy prospects (prey). SEO scams may also come in the form of a letter/email. Some companies deliberately send confusing solicitations. The letters can look legitimate and are usually sent to people who have just purchased a domain. The confusion comes in where the letters look like a bill for SEO services. Just treat them like junk mail - throw them away.