Risky SEO Services To Avoid

Updated March 1, 2025

All SEO services are not created equal. Lately we’ve had a bunch of conversations with businesses who are fed up with empty promises and questionable results. Years ago when we started our agency, we drew a line in the sand. We made a conscious (and at the time unpopular) decision to wear only a White Hat. Our clients initially didn’t like hearing that organic SEO had no guarantees and was a long-term strategy.

Given the shake-up to rankings — specifically as a result of risky SEO practices — it seemed timely to explain the blatant tactics that create roller coaster search rankings.

Linking Schemes

Google has further defined what they consider linking schemes. They’ve used examples such as:

• excessive link exchanges
• large-scale article marketing
• low-quality bookmarking sites

These risky SEO services will get you noticed… and not in a good way. Participate in a link scheme and expect a warning. Bad enough and you’ll notice a manual action in Webmaster Tools. Also on the no-no list is link buying.

Automated Content Creation

Legit SEO services are based upon original and value-add content. Generate anything else, you’re just asking to get a Google spanking. We continually preach about quality content. We have these simple words of advice: respect your readers and you’ll be rewarded.

NoFollow Links in Press Releases

Google has deemed links in Press Releases as unnatural. They’ve mandated “nofollow.” If you use a press release distribution service, make sure they use nofollow links.

We find it amusing that sites like Search Engine Watch refer to “SEO flight to quality” as new. Balderdash. We’ve been doing this for years.

We’re glad to hear that quality SEO services are now in vogue. Are you?