SEO Ethics
The SEO industry follows certain ethics and guidelines. These guidelines and ethics are the cornerstone of the SEO industry. The guidelines are meant to ensure that fair standards are maintained in the industry. The guidelines are also meant to protect the clients and thereby maintain the credibility of the entire industry. AMI advises all SEO professionals and companies to follow the code of ethics. Following is the code of SEO ethics.
SEO Company should avoid misinforming the client: The customer or the client has to be provided with correct information regarding the SEO company’s past work, clients, human resource etc. SEO companies should not pass the work done by others, as their work. They should also not represent someone else’s clients as their own. All SEO companies should represent their true capabilities and abilities.
SEO companies should follow the law: SEO companies should not violate any kind of trademarks, patent, copyright etc. SEO companies should also not violate laws related to spamming.
SEO companies should provide original work: SEO companies should strive for originality and creativity. SEO companies should not copy contents from other sites.
SEO companies should refrain from harming the client: The client is not to be harmed. It is the responsibility of the SEO companies to ensure that they do not over use tools and techniques that might lead to the banning or removing of the client’s site from the search engine.
SEO companies should follow fair practices: SEO companies should strive to use those practices in the SEO procedure that are approved by the major search engines. These practices include easy navigation, quality and original content, updating and adding new relevant content, adding site map, using words, which are likely to be used by the target audience.
SEO companies should avoid using unfair practices: Major search engines have listed out various practices that are deemed as unfair. The unfair practices includes using hidden texts and links, using link farms, stuffing content with keywords, cloaking, creating mirror sites, pagejacking etc Following these practices can lead to banning of the website by the search engine. All SEO companies should avoid using the unfair practices.
SEO companies should follow the rules set by search engines and directories: The rules set by the search engines in context of submission and registration of websites has to be complied with. Many times, search engines request not to stuff content with keywords. It is the duty of all the SEO companies to see that he/she adheres to it.
SEO companies should not indulge in plagiarism: SEO companies should not indulge in plagiarism while preparing the content for the client. Not only does it give a bad impression about the client, it might also put the client in trouble if anyone files a lawsuit.
SEO companies should avoid creating unrealistic expectations: SEO companies should not build unrealistic explanation in the client’s mind. Promising a client that his site will always feature on top of the search result goes against the ethics.
SEO companies should maintain confidentiality: SEO companies should maintain strict confidentiality. All SEO companies should take the permission of the clients if they want to share any information about the client. This includes logos, personal information about the client, e-mail and contact information.
Dispute resolution procedures: SEO companies should include a fair idea about how are they going to address any issues with the client which may arise in the course of business. They should list out the details of the internal support system. This can include contact details of customer support like e-mail, chat, etc. All SEO companies should also mention about the jurisdiction under which all legal disputes will be settled.
The ethics are guiding points on serving the client in a better manner and at the same time protecting the entire industry from earning a bad reputation.
