Is There an Ethical SEO Business?

This was ethics in action…

I have been reading a bit of Business Ethics in Action: Seeking Human Excellence in Organizations and I wonder if there can be such a thing as an ethical business.

By its very nature a business exists to make a profit. The main aim of any Plc. is profit – if it is not the shareholders would be in revolt; however this is only in the case in English speaking countries. Other countries view the social responsibility of their country’s businesses quite differently.

I work in search engine optimisation and this area is generally unethical when giving information to clients. However, I believe in using ethical SEO methods to ensure sustainable growth and maintain a good brand image. I would go as far as saying that most SEO companies do their clients a dis-service and just create spam within the Internet. Is spam ethical?

In my business I offer clients links from websites and it costs €375 for 12 to 15. This entails having good articles written that will be published on other websites. These types of links are great for increasing rankings in Google.

However the above does not compare well in clients eyes when they come across a website that says it will submit to 200 directories, 200 article directories, and 5 press release directories all for €350. Really which would you choose?

I know I would choose the second, it just appears like I am going to get a lot more for my money than the over-priced consultant who comes at the top of the search engines – really does Google not know what they are doing? These other sites with great deals should really be at the top.

Have they stopped and considered why it is not the case? That just maybe the one at the top does know what they are doing? And if they were working on your site you might just get what you want and that is results.

What is Ethical SEO?

Definition of Ethical SEO

Ethical SEO refers to the practice of optimizing a website and its online presence in ways that adhere to search engine guidelines and prioritize the user experience. It involves using legitimate and sustainable methods to improve search engine rankings and drive organic traffic, rather than resorting to manipulative or deceptive tactics. By focusing on ethical SEO, businesses can ensure that their efforts are aligned with the best practices recommended by search engines, ultimately leading to long-term success and credibility.

Importance of Ethical SEO in Search Engines

Ethical SEO is crucial in search engines because it ensures that websites are ranked based on their relevance, quality, and user experience, rather than through manipulation or exploitation of loopholes. Search engines like Google prioritize ethical SEO practices because they want to provide users with the most relevant and high-quality results. Websites that use legitimate and sustainable methods to achieve this goal are rewarded with better search engine rankings. This not only helps in building trust with users but also ensures that the search engine ecosystem remains fair and effective.

Principles of Ethical SEO

Accepted SEO Strategies

Ethical SEO strategies are guided by several key principles that ensure a sustainable and user-centric approach to optimization. These principles include:

  • Providing high-quality, relevant, and valuable content to users: Content should be informative, engaging, and tailored to meet the needs of the target audience.
  • Optimizing on-page elements: Title tags, meta descriptions, and headings should accurately reflect the content on each page, making it easier for search engines to understand and rank the site.
  • Building high-quality backlinks: Links should come from reputable and relevant sources, enhancing the site’s authority and trustworthiness.
  • Prioritizing user experience: Websites should be easy to navigate, fast-loading, and mobile-friendly, ensuring a positive experience for all users.
  • Adhering to search engine guidelines: Following the rules set by search engines helps avoid penalties and ensures long-term success.
  • Avoiding manipulative or deceptive tactics: Practices like keyword stuffing, link farming, and cloaking should be avoided as they can lead to penalties and damage the site’s reputation.
  • Ensuring transparency and honesty in all SEO efforts: Being upfront about the methods used and the expected outcomes builds trust with clients and users.
  • Respecting the intellectual property of other brands: Avoiding plagiarism and giving credit where it’s due is essential for maintaining ethical standards.
  • Implementing a great user experience: Ensuring that website metrics, such as page load times and time on page, are optimized for user engagement.

By following these principles, businesses can establish a strong online presence, attract qualified organic traffic, and build trust and credibility with their target audience. Ethical SEO focuses on creating a positive and lasting impact, ensuring that both users and search engines benefit from the efforts.

There is Nothing Wrong with Article Directories

There is nothing wrong with a lot of directories – the problem is how they are used.

Most companies take one article and give it to an outsourcer and have the same article submitted to all 200 directories.  If you are lucky you will get 2 or 3 links that count in Google’s eyes from this.  Seriously would you think that building links to your site is that easy?

The right way to use article directories is submit one article to each and make sure it get published, and then have a couple of links point towards that article – sounds like a lot more work I know, but this way it actually does pay off.

It is the same idea with directories.  Often the same blurb about your company and the same anchor text and url is submitted to 100’s.  What a waste. Using relevant keywords in each unique submission is crucial to improve search engine visibility. On our training course I tell people to not have a pre-written blurb, every time you submit to a directory write the information about your company from scratch – this way you will have a chance of Google indexing the submission and not just seeing it as duplicate content.

Do You Get What You Pay for In SEO?

So often in my life I have heard this saying that you get what you pay for, really it is a lot of crap. If you are paying more than €500 per day for on-going SEO services have a think about what you are paying for. Investing in an ethical SEO strategy is crucial for long-term success, as it focuses on adhering to search engine guidelines, creating high-quality content, and prioritizing user experience.

I do make the distinction between one off consultancy and on-going services. I know one consultant here in Ireland who charges a lot more than this for one day consultancy, but if he can list and show you how to fix all the issues on your site during that 1 or 2 days I think it is still more than worth the payment.

Well that is todays rant over with. I have a cold and that is my excuse for the above slightly negative post.