Search engine optimization refers to techniques and methods to get your page ranked high on web search engines. Unfortunately, many webmasters use unprincipled or deceitful means to make their way to the top of their ranking. While ‘black hat' methods may get you quick and easy results, getting caught (which is becoming easier as search engines improve) will get you blackballed or blacklisted, which will be more trouble than it is worth.

Avoid getting blackballed – stay away from the following black hat SEO practices, no matter if they promise you high page rankings: The following are black hat SEO techniques that can get you blacklisted.

1) Hidden Text

This is done by including content that is not visible to visitors, but detectable by search engines. Unfortunately, most search engines have learned to recognize hidden text as an attempt to increase page rankings, as well as consider this as search spam – which rates an automatic blackball for your site.

2) Automated Submission Methods

This refers to using software to submit your site to web engines for indexing. Most available software for this purpose is not worth the money you spend on them and may even mark you as a search spammer, which will result in your page kicked out of search engine indexes. It is still best to submit your site to search engines on a monthly basis – it may be tedious but well worth the time you spend.

If you wish to avail of software to make submissions easier, choose one which puts you on the page, enters the information for you to review, make edits and complete a hand submission to the search engine.

3) Doorway Pages

These are created for the specific purpose of ‘capturing' search engine interest without giving value to site visitors. These pages are designed for search engines, not human visitors. Search engines have been known to blackball sites using this method because they provide no value or utility to search engine users who get referred to these pages under false pretenses.

4) Free for All Links

While free and do not require reciprocal links, these are seldom –if ever- indexed by search engines, and will not benefit your site at all. Most of these are spammed pages and will not attract visitors to your site.

There are ethical SEO practices that are just as effective in increasing a page's rank rating. These methods can bring your site long-term benefits and will certainly not lead to your site getting blacklisted.

5) Quality Content

The best way to optimize your site will always be by providing quality content to visitors. Bear in mind that search engines exist for the purpose of guiding their users to relevant, informative sites – a search engine that leads its users to ‘high ranking' pages that have minimal or useless content will quickly die a natural death in the internet world.

In a way, the best way to get high page rankings on search engines is to meet their standards – and the first step in this is, as said, by providing quality content and information that visitors will appreciate and link to. This feeds into the search engine's criteria for value to their users – and will ensure that your site will always be given favorable ‘referral' not only by the search engine but your visitors as well.

6) Inbound Links

Link building is another technique used in building page rank. The major search engines base their page rank not on the number of visitors your page has, but how many quality, content-related sites incoming links you have. Although time consuming, it would be worth it to make the effort to build links with relevant sites. Use link exchanges, directory submissions, and article submissions to help you find sites that can provide back links that will increase your page rank. You may also consider participating in forums or blogs which allow you to leave a link to your site without being considered a spammer.