SEO Code of Ethics by the Pittsburgh SEO Group
Many of information provided in these guidelines was based upon information provided by the Google Webmaster Guidelines, mattcutts.com and other reputable SEO resources. The idea behind this guide is to encourage those practicing SEO to use the most ethical approach in order to provide lasting results. These guidelines will be updated from time-to-time and discussed at Pittsburgh SEO Group meetings.
- Keep up with search engine guidelines and use best judgment to follow those guidelines appropriately .
- Always keep the users in mind.
- Avoid tricks intended to improve search engine rankings.
- SEOs/Web Designers – don’t require clients to link back to your website.
- Avoid keyword stuffing/loading a webpage with keywords.
- Avoid hidden text or hidden links.
- Don’t use cloaking or sneaky redirects.
- Don’t load pages with irrelevant keywords.
- Don’t create pages with malicious behavior, such as phishing or installing viruses, trojans, or other badware.
- Avoid “doorway” pages created just for search engines, or other “cookie cutter” approaches such as affiliate programs with little or no original content.
- Keywords should be relevant, appropriate, and clearly associated with the content of the page.
- Don’t Participate in Link Schemes.
- Don’t use automated software to generate links.
- Don’t build links that provide no other value but to manipulate PageRank.
- Don’t link to web spammers or bad neighborhoods on the web.
- Don’t generate excessive reciprocal links or use excessive link exchange programs.
