Is SEO software not strictly whitehat?

EricGibson · 07-10-2009, 04:17 PM

Hi, I am evaluating other possible SEO software to purchase such as Internet Business Partner, SEO Powersuite, etc. I came across a thread in an SEO forum in which an (apparent) expert on SEO answers one fellow’s inquiry about the best SEO software to use, by replying that ALL such software such as WebPosition etc is not strictly whitehat. Here is the thread. Any responses to this, or is he indeed, correct that automated page rank inquiries, etc are not strictly white hat?

Here is the The Thread:

…are you saying that you never use search rankings tools at all?

Well, no 'white hat' practitioner of SEO ever can. Use of any software to perform automated searches (to see where you rank) is expressly forbidden in the webmaster guidelines.

Under "Quality guidelines - basic principles" (in Google) we have:

QUOTE (from Google)
Don't use unauthorized computer programs to submit pages, check rankings, etc. Such programs consume computing resources and violate our Terms of Service. Google does not recommend the use of products such as WebPosition Gold™ that send automatic or programmatic queries to Google.

Then under "Quality guidelines - specific guidelines" it says:
QUOTE (from Google)
Don't send automated queries to Google.

DavidTheMavin · 07-10-2009, 04:22 PM

I think you're confusing two issues. Whitehat/BlueFart involves ways (tactics) people use to actually get search engine listings. The software that we all use (SEO quake, webposgold, WebCEO etc), although does not follow Google's TOS, it's not a BH issue because it does nothing for your listings, they're just reporting tools.

Any SEO worth his weight in fried rice has had their IP banned from Google & Yahoo for a day for doing these querries, but without that we wouldn't be able to report where the listings actually are. It's funny because you'll get your IP blocked just for clicking too many links in Google Webmaster Tools, which I've complained to MattCutts about numerous times

maestero2010 · 07-11-2009, 08:33 AM

Well Google even do not like that webmaster should submit their article or website in directories through some software. Thus you can make out the reaction of G with SEO suite that are available in the market.

nailzer09875 · 07-11-2009, 10:48 AM

Hi EricGibson
This is not true as far I know the use of such SEO software is illegal or violating any terms of Google. If you are using such a soft which automatically increase your page impression or page hits that’s a dangerous crime in case of google.
If you ask why peoples using these softwares? I must say they are using only to reduce their time nothing else. I also use IBP and SEO Elite for time reduce of my work.
Keep using, no problemss at all……..
Nailzer

Steve Diamond · 07-11-2009, 11:50 AM

I agree with David. And I'll add that I find Google's attitude, as expressed in the TOS you quoted, more than a bit disingenuous. They've succeeded in positioning themselves as the number one arbiter of traffic flow on the Web, and now they say "We're shocked, shocked to find that anyone is trying to find out what we're doing and how to take advantage." Really?

On the other hand, they are in an odd position. They started out simply to be a better search engine by figuring out which sites were the most popular and valuable for their content. They may truly not have anticipated how much effort was going to be expended in discovering their algorithms and manipulating their results. Now they probably have to spend 90% of their search engine tuning efforts on circumventing each grey-hat (or worse) SEO scheme that succeeds.

So it's no wonder they try to discourage using automated SEO tools. But I don't think they really want to squash the SEO industry. I, for one, will continue to use tools like IBP.

Steve

FrankPinch · 07-11-2009, 08:50 PM

The 'black hat' is often more the user then the software! Well done, a software can be white hat and save you lots of time!

Fernando Veloso · 07-12-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zellandia

Frank, how can we know if the the software are whitehat not black hat?

Watch the box color?

Sorry

But it was stronger then me.

07-10-2009, 04:17 PM	#1
EricGibson Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 32 Thanks: 13 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Is SEO software not strictly whitehat? Hi, I am evaluating other possible SEO software to purchase such as Internet Business Partner, SEO Powersuite, etc. I came across a thread in an SEO forum in which an (apparent) expert on SEO answers one fellow’s inquiry about the best SEO software to use, by replying that ALL such software such as WebPosition etc is not strictly whitehat. Here is the thread. Any responses to this, or is he indeed, correct that automated page rank inquiries, etc are not strictly white hat? Here is the The Thread: …are you saying that you never use search rankings tools at all? Well, no 'white hat' practitioner of SEO ever can. Use of any software to perform automated searches (to see where you rank) is expressly forbidden in the webmaster guidelines. Under "Quality guidelines - basic principles" (in Google) we have: QUOTE (from Google) Don't use unauthorized computer programs to submit pages, check rankings, etc. Such programs consume computing resources and violate our Terms of Service. Google does not recommend the use of products such as WebPosition Gold™ that send automatic or programmatic queries to Google. Then under "Quality guidelines - specific guidelines" it says: QUOTE (from Google) Don't send automated queries to Google.

07-10-2009, 04:22 PM	#2
DavidTheMavin Reality on TILT ;-) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 347 Thanks: 20 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Is SEO software not strictly whitehat? I think you're confusing two issues. Whitehat/BlueFart involves ways (tactics) people use to actually get search engine listings. The software that we all use (SEO quake, webposgold, WebCEO etc), although does not follow Google's TOS, it's not a BH issue because it does nothing for your listings, they're just reporting tools. Any SEO worth his weight in fried rice has had their IP banned from Google & Yahoo for a day for doing these querries, but without that we wouldn't be able to report where the listings actually are. It's funny because you'll get your IP blocked just for clicking too many links in Google Webmaster Tools, which I've complained to MattCutts about numerous times
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07-11-2009, 08:33 AM	#3
maestero2010 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LK Posts: 492 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 84 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Is SEO software not strictly whitehat? Well Google even do not like that webmaster should submit their article or website in directories through some software. Thus you can make out the reaction of G with SEO suite that are available in the market.
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07-11-2009, 10:48 AM	#4
nailzer09875 Active Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Is SEO software not strictly whitehat? Hi EricGibson This is not true as far I know the use of such SEO software is illegal or violating any terms of Google. If you are using such a soft which automatically increase your page impression or page hits that’s a dangerous crime in case of google. If you ask why peoples using these softwares? I must say they are using only to reduce their time nothing else. I also use IBP and SEO Elite for time reduce of my work. Keep using, no problemss at all…….. Nailzer

07-11-2009, 11:50 AM	#5
Steve Diamond Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. Posts: 1,025 Thanks: 120 Thanked 158 Times in 115 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Is SEO software not strictly whitehat? I agree with David. And I'll add that I find Google's attitude, as expressed in the TOS you quoted, more than a bit disingenuous. They've succeeded in positioning themselves as the number one arbiter of traffic flow on the Web, and now they say "We're shocked, shocked to find that anyone is trying to find out what we're doing and how to take advantage." Really? On the other hand, they are in an odd position. They started out simply to be a better search engine by figuring out which sites were the most popular and valuable for their content. They may truly not have anticipated how much effort was going to be expended in discovering their algorithms and manipulating their results. Now they probably have to spend 90% of their search engine tuning efforts on circumventing each grey-hat (or worse) SEO scheme that succeeds. So it's no wonder they try to discourage using automated SEO tools. But I don't think they really want to squash the SEO industry. I, for one, will continue to use tools like IBP. Steve
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07-11-2009, 08:50 PM	#6
FrankPinch Active Warrior Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Is SEO software not strictly whitehat? The 'black hat' is often more the user then the software! Well done, a software can be white hat and save you lots of time!