No matter how much competition you are facing in the blogging world., there is always a need to follow the White Hat SEO tactics. You only have to follow the tactics that are within the guidelines of the search engine. Otherwise, you will not be able to rank your sites in the SERP.
Although some people have adopted the black hat SEO techniques which brought desirable results to them, Google has de-ranked their sites and also penalized them to appear in the search results again.
Now, the question is how to differentiate between the White Hat and Black Hat SEO tactics. In this guide, I have shared some tips that can help you rank higher without breaking the rules.
What is White Hat SEO and Why It is Important?
White Hat SEO is simply defined as the search engine optimization techniques that are approved by search engines. The primary goal of every blogger is to rank at the top of the Google SERP. However, this largest search engine has strengthened its policies just to provide more quality results to its users.
Unlike past when black hat SEO techniques were beneficial, you will be penalized for doing the same according to the recent policies announced in Google Search Essentials. That’s why it is better to keep the latest guidelines in mind for sustained results.
The basic purpose of White Hat SEO is not only to make you rank higher in the search engine results pages but also to build trust with your audience. Its further importance can be well elaborated with the points below.
1. Top Rankings in the SERP
The foremost advantage of White Hat SEO is that it guarantees you the top position in the search engine results pages. While Google features a large number of the sites in the results pages of a specific query, the sites present among the top 10 or on the first page get the most traffic.
Thus, every blogger tries their level best to achieve this outcome and it is only possible with the help of the White Hat technique. It brings more organic traffic to your website and lets you build your worth.
2. Sustained Results
Although Black Hat techniques can deliver desired results for the short term, you will soon be captured in Google algorithms that will take your site far below in the ranking. Therefore, you must keep long term results in mind and follow only the approved guidelines. The longer you stay on the results page, the more worth and money you can make.
3. Retain Whitelist Status in Search Engine
The whitelist status is not a technical term. Basically, it is the word that I use personally to highlight the importance of White Hat SEO. When you follow the right tactics, you will be able to signal the search engine algorithms regarding your dedication and commitment to providing high quality results to your customers.
4. Content Optimization
White Hat SEO is not only related to improving the authority of your site. It is also about optimizing your content. In this way, you can engage more users and convey your thoughts in a more effective manner.
5. Builds Trust With the Audience
A high quality content is not only beneficial for search engine rankings but also lets you build trust with your audience. All the credit goes to White Hat SEO techniques that enable you to write compelling content that leads you to sustained results.
6. Improved Site Accessibility
In this competitive landscape, Google prefers sites that are more accessible and easy to operate. The search engine has taken this step to provide an equal experience to everyone, especially to those who are suffering from any physical disability.
White Hat SEO plays a crucial role in enhancing several technical parts of your website like page loading speed and image SEO. Hence, you can build a solid worth that will lead you to pocket the desired results.
7. Increased Networking Opportunities
Networking is something very crucial to survive in this highly saturated online world of 2024. White Hat SEO keeps you on track and boosts your credibility and rankings in the SERP. As a result, you can make a good name in a particular industry.
Hence, you will get a chance to collaborate with top professionals. It will further enhance your authority and open more doors to exceptional opportunities for extensive growth.
White Hat SEO Techniques
In the under section, I have mentioned the top White Hat SEO tips you can follow to rank your sites on the top of the SERP without breaking any rules. All the tactics detailed here are present among the search engine guidelines.
Thus, you need not worry about following them. I am also implementing them to take my site to the top of the search engine results pages.
1. Keyword Research
The foremost White Hat SEO technique is to perform extensive keyword research with the help of different tools available on the web. Some popular names are Moz, Ahrefs, and Semrush which can help you in this regard.
Proper keyword research can help you identify the trending topics people are looking for. Additionally, you can determine their competition and recognize your chances of being appeared in the top search results.
You have to subscribe to the premium plan of your favorite tool and access its Keywords Research tool for more comprehensive results.
In the under section, I am sharing a case study of a keyword on which I am working. In this way, you can understand the process of keyword research more effectively. For more clarification, I am mentioning here the tool I am using for this purpose and it is Ahrefs Keyword Explorer.
i) Primary Keyword
Just follow the details mentioned here so that you can have your hands on the primary keyword on which you can write content without any challenges.
- Go to the Keywords Explorer tool of Ahrefs.
- Enter your query to see if it is searched on the Internet or not.
- Check the metrics and determine if they can match your standards.
The results of my query are:
Here, you can easily see different metrics listed on the top section of the results page. The primary ones to look for are:
- Keyword Difficulty (KD): This metric determines the chances of your article appearing on the top of the SERP. The higher the difficulty, the lesser the chances.
- Traffic Potential (TF): It shows the number of people searching a particular keyword during a specified time. Usually, it is counted on a monthly basis.
Shortly above, I have talked about some standards to which you have to compare these metrics. It is about the maximum limit of keyword difficulty and minimum traffic potential on which you are currently working. For instance, I usually prefer keywords with a maximum KD limit of 20 and TF of more than 2,000.
The keyword I have searched for in this example matches my standards. You can also set the same for your website depending on its authority and rating. In addition, you can explore the keyword ideas to see if another keyword can match your standards.
ii) Secondary Keywords
Now, you have to find the topics which are closely related to your primary keyword. You can simply do this by pasting the keyword in Google Search. It will provide you with the suggestions that people are searching for. Hence, you can also cover them to take your keyword research to an ultimate level.
2. Create High Quality Content
Bill Gates once stated, “Content is King.” Now, I can easily understand what that big man wanted to say as Google has shifted its focus on promoting only high quality content. The query here is how to write such content.
In the undersection, I have explained some points that can help you write proper content while keeping the White Hat search engine optimization intact.
i) Understand the Perspective of the User
Firstly, you have to understand what your users are looking for in response to the query they are searching on the Internet. It will help you to understand their perspective. In this way, you can write content that resonates with their requirements. A simple technique that I follow when carrying out this activity is considering myself as a user.
Let’s bring back the example keyword we have used in the previous section, “What is B2B Sales.” When I consider myself as a user for this query, it is like getting information to understand what b2b sales means. So now, one thing is clear this keyword is information-based.
Thus, if I write promotional content, it is unlikely to rank in the SERP. Another way to understand what the user is searching for is by checking the top sites present in Google search for the query.
The sites that are ranked at the top for this query provide the definition and examples of b2b sales. It has further clarified that this keyword is informational and I have to align the content according to the search intent.
ii) Follow Writing Essentials
The next important white-hat SEO tip to write high quality content is following the writing essentials. According to the writing guidelines provided by Yoast SEO, SEO-friendly content is the one that matches the following standards.
- Passive voice sentences must not be more than 10%.
- A subheading must be limited to or below 300 words.
- Only 25% of sentences with more than 20 words should be present in the content.
- An engaging content is one that possesses more than 30% of the sentences with transition words.
- The overall content length must be greater than 300 words.
iii) Adopt an Engaging Style
While writing the content, you must adopt an engaging style to grab the attention of the user. In simple words, you have to talk with the user so that he can get the answer he is looking for in an effective manner.
A storytelling style is the key to engaging the audience. When you share your experiences with the users, they consider you a more credible source. Moreover, Google also prefers the site in the SERP where users retain more consistently.
iv) Avoid Copy/Paste
Although taking the information from authentic sources is among the White Hat SEO techniques, an exact copy/paste of the data is not a true strategy. You have to put some extra effort and providing users with information they have never received before.
However, again you have to be careful not to provide any false information. Share your experience as it is the best possible tactic to avoid plagiarism.
v) Consider EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness)
Previously, EAT was recognized as the best tactic to write high quality content. However, Google is now promoting sites that follow the EEAT strategy to write the articles. These letters are the abbreviation for:
- E (Experience)
- E (Expertise)
- A (Authoritativeness)
- T (Trustworthiness)
Simply put, if you want to write brilliant content with a higher probability of ranking in the SERP, you should pick topics where you can share your personal experience or have proper expertise. Moreover, you must be well-recognized among the other industry experts. Additionally, you have to maintain the transparency of the content to build trust with readers and visitors.
vi) Structure the Content Properly
Lastly, you have to structure the content properly. Highlight the primary key points so that users can notice them at first sight. Some key SEO White Hat techniques to properly structure the content are:
- Use of multimedia and infographics
- Annotations
- Shorter and more precise sentences
- Bullet points
3. Focus on On-Page SEO
White Hat SEO techniques are successful only if you have implemented the on-page SEO tactics quite effectively. Google has cleared that besides writing properly researched and engaging content, following the on-page SEO essentials is compulsory to rank your site on the results page.
I am going to share a list of the top on-page SEO practices that are present in the White Hat SEO guidelines. I also implement them whenever I write content for my sites and the results are simply tremendous.
- Include the Primary Keyword in the H1
- Include the Primary Keyword in the Meta Description
- Make Your Primary Keyword Bold
- Include the Primary Keyword in the Title
- Include the Primary Keyword in the first 100 Words
- Use your Keyword in the Sub Headings
- Include the Primary Keyword in the URL
4. Image SEO
Image SEO is also recognized among the White Hat SEO techniques. In the previous sections, I talked about adding infographics and files like images and videos to your content to improve engagement.
Google now focuses on the multimedia files you add to your content to ensure the quality of its SERP. Therefore, you must add only those images which are free of copyright claims. Further, you have to optimize them for the search engine.
I am implementing the following tactics for image SEO as all of them are mentioned in the guidelines.
- Create a Unique Featured Image for Every Post and make sure that the keyword is written on it.
- Make Sure the Image Size is Under 100 KB.
- Add the main keyword to the ALT text of the featured image.
- Make Sure the Keyword is in the File Name of the Image.
5. Build High Quality Links
After performing the keyword research, writing engaging content, and optimizing the images for SEO, you have to build high quality links. Here, I am talking about both Internal links and backlinks.
i) White Hat SEO Internal Linking Strategy
Internal linking is generally referred to as linking those posts with each other which are particularly describing related topics. For example, if I have written one article on “What is B2B Sales” and the other one is on “Benefits of B2B Sales,” I can easily interlink them.
On the other hand, if I create an internal link to a gaming post on “What is B2B Sales” content, Google considers it spam because both topics are not related to each other at all. Therefore, you have to be very careful when building Internal links.
ii) White Hat SEO Strategies for Backlinking
Backlinks are primarily responsible for determining the authority and credibility of your site. The more backlinks your site possesses from high end sites, the more will be its authority. However, you have to follow the white hat strategies to improve the backlink profile of your site. The following tactics are considered best for building backlinks.
- Organic Method: When you provide outstanding information in your content, some top blogs or sites related to your niche may mention you on their sites. Such backlinks are purely organic.
- Outreach Backlinking: Google lets you create backlinks on the top sites that also provide the same content as you are publishing. You can reach those sites with an email to request for linking you back based on the quality of your content.
- 3-Way Link Exchange: This strategy is also present in the White Hat SEO techniques for building backlinks. It involves three relevant sites that provide backlinks to each other while making sure that no two sites share a reciprocal backlink.
- Backlinks from Outdated Resources: When you see a high end website related to your niche that has not updated its information base, you can reach out to them to inform them about your site possessing the latest data. In this way, you can ask them for a backlink. It not only adds value to your site but also benefits others.
- Guest Posting: This White Hat SEO technique is also pretty well recognized for getting some high quality backlinks. When you are an industry expert, you will get the opportunity to write for top blogs. Here, you can request to link your site back if it possesses the same or highly relevant topic to add more value.
- Forum Backlinks: There are many forums on the web that millions of people visit daily to seek answers to their queries. You can also create backlinks there. However, to retain the position under the flag of White Hat SEO, you must ensure that the forum is relevant to the niche of your site or blog. Also, you must provide a proper solution to the users and add your site signature to get backlinks.
Another thing to consider when creating backlinks is whether you are getting no follow or do follow backlinks. Although both types are necessary and beneficial, you should focus on do-follow links as they not only benefit the authority but also provide link juice. If you are unable to carry out this functionality on your own, you can seek White Hat SEO Service.
What is White Hat and Black Hat SEO Difference?
The significant difference between white hat and black hat SEO techniques is that white hat SEO techniques follow search engine guidelines, and black hat doesn’t follow them. Instead, black hat SEO techniques go against them. Here is a comparison table of White Hat vs Black Hat SEO.
| SEO Techniques | White Hat SEO | Black Hat SEO |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword Research | Properly searched and regulatory-compliant keywords | Explicit and copyrighted keywords |
| Content Creation | Well Researched, Helpful, and EEAT content | AI created, keyword stuffed, and Plagiarised content |
| Image SEO | Optimized and original visuals | Copyright visuals |
| Internal Link Building | Highly relevant, specific | Totally irrelevant |
| Backlinks | Guest Posting, organic backlinks, outreach backlinking, etc. | link farming, hidden texts, backlink purchasing |
Final Thoughts
That’s all about the White Hat SEO techniques that are properly under the guidelines of the Google search engine. I have detailed each and every aspect of these tactics so that you can avoid breaking the rules to rank higher in the SERP. Now, it is up to you how you perceive this information and implement it.
When you properly research the keyword and write high quality content, you will be able to get organic backlinks from top blogs, sites, and forums. Ultimately. It improves the authority of your site which will ensure long term advantages.
FAQs
What are white hat SEO techniques?
White Hat SEO techniques refer to the search engine optimization tactics that are allowed by the search engine, especially Google.
What is the black hat SEO method?
The Black Hat SEO method is actually following the SEO tactics that are prohibited by Google.
Which hat is good for SEO?
Only White Hat SEO is the technique that can provide you with guaranteed results like higher rankings in the SERP, sustained results, etc.
Is White Hat SEO easy?
White Hat SEO is certainly not challenging. However, it takes time as you have to follow the search engine guidelines.
