SEO has become a crucial component for the success of any website and the business it promotes. The desire to reach the top positions in search results can lead many website owners to seek quick and guaranteed solutions. However, in this pursuit of prominence, scams also lurk.

Today, we will address one of the cyber scams that is increasingly targeting small and medium-sized business owners and entrepreneurs using their own websites.

What is SEO Scam?

SEO Scam refers to scams or fraudulent practices related to search engine optimization (SEO) that employ deceptive techniques to promise rapid and guaranteed results. However, victims not only suffer financial losses due to the scam, but they may also face penalties and loss of visibility in search engines for their website.

Legitimate SEO involves optimizing the content, structure, and other technical aspects of a website to make it more relevant and appealing to search engines. This can increase organic (unpaid) traffic to the site and enhance its online visibility.

However, SEO scammers resort to deceitful and fraudulent practices to make quick promises. These practices may violate search engine guidelines, ultimately harming the website.

How Does SEO Scam Operate?

Illegal SEO techniques may vary, but the scam always follows the same approach to victimize people: offering grand promises at low prices.

Typically, the first contact with the scammer is through an unsolicited email, presenting the proposal of the supposed "SEO expert." Often, the scammer uses the website's contact form to send the proposal, knowing that the email will be received and read by the business owner or collaborators.

The scammer's proposal usually includes promises of quick and guaranteed results, while legitimate SEO requires time and effort to achieve significant outcomes. As with any service proposal, an initial payment and final payment upon completion of the work are requested. Once the business owner, enticed by the offer, pays the first half of the service, the scammer employs prohibited SEO tactics to achieve rapid results, such as massive purchase of low-quality backlinks, duplicate content, or excessive keyword stuffing.

 

Once the website reaches the agreed position, the scammer requests the remaining payment and, in the best-case scenario, proceeds to remove the links or work performed, restoring the website to its initial position.

I say "in the best-case scenario" because if the scammer does not remove the actions taken, the risk becomes even greater. As major search engines (such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo) detect the use of forbidden techniques, the website is at risk of being penalized and relegated to the "underworld of results." As a consequence, the business owner not only loses their investment, but their website may also end up in a worse position than before, with a negative reputation among search engines.

How to Protect Yourself from SEO Scam?

To avoid or protect yourself from SEO Scam and avoid falling into the hands of scammers, follow these guidelines:

1. Education: Familiarize yourself with the basics of SEO and best practices. This will help you identify deceptive proposals and evaluate SEO service offers more effectively.
2. References: Research SEO agencies or professionals before hiring them. Look for reviews, testimonials, and references from past clients to ensure their ethical work practices.
3. Avoid Too-Good-to-Be-True Promises: Be cautious of those who promise quick and guaranteed results in a short period. Legitimate SEO is a gradual process and does not offer absolute result guarantees.
4. Consult Multiple Professionals: Obtain quotes and opinions from different SEO experts. Compare their approaches and strategies to make an informed decision.
5. Transparency in Practices: Demand transparency in the tactics they will use to improve your website. Honest professionals will be willing to explain their strategies and not hide relevant information.
6. Avoid Spam: Be careful with unsolicited emails promising SEO services at unusually low prices or guaranteed results. Scammers often use spam tactics to attract potential victims.
7. Written Contracts and Agreements: Formalize any agreement or contract with the SEO professional or agency in writing. Ensure that services and fees are clearly detailed to avoid misunderstandings.
8. Trust Your Instincts: If something seems too good to be true or you feel something is not right, trust your intuition and seek a second opinion.

Conclusion

It is crucial to be cautious of SEO offers that sound too good to be true and to work with trustworthy and ethical professionals who adhere to search engine guidelines to avoid long-term issues and potential penalties in your website's ranking. If you have doubts about any SEO offer or practice, it is advisable to research and consult with experts in the field.

If you need assistance with your website's SEO, feel free to contact us. We would be happy to guide you. If you found this content helpful, don't forget to share it on your social media platforms.