Online visibility experts have probably heard read more of the expression known as dubious SEO strategies. Blackhat SEO entails a collection of strategies deployed to improve a website's or page's ranking in search engine results, but by means that violate the search engines' terms of service.

Essentially, blackhat SEO is a quickfire approach that can get your site to the forefront of search results quickly. However, these techniques are usually seen as dishonorable, and search engines like Google can heavily penalize sites discovered using them.

A popular blackhat technique is excessive keyword usage. This means loading a webpage with keywords or numbers to game a site's ranking in Google search results. They might appear in a list, cluster, out of context, or overlaid on the background.

Creating link farms is another common method. Here, sites are linked together in a circular network to increase the rank of all the pages in the circle. However, if a website is linked to from a high number of unrelated sites, it could also be penalized.

Cloaking is an even riskier blackhat method. This involves different content is presented to search engines than to users, essentially redirecting users to separate pages aside from their consent.

Despite the potential penalties, why do people use blackhat SEO? The simple answer is: for instant success. These methods give websites the pretense of authority, boosting them up the search results quickly.

However, the benefit is temporary. Search engines now incorporate advanced algorithms which identify these deceptive techniques. Once they're identified, penalties could include reduced rankings or even being erased entirely from the search index.

As a consequence, many websites are embracing white hat SEO strategies. These are methods that aim to build a website's prominence in legitimate ways. Some examples are creating meaningful content that provides helpful information to the reader, optimizing website tags, or creating a positive user experience.

So, while blackhat SEO may seem a rapid way to boost your site's visibility, it's a risky game to play. It's more advisable to focus whitehat SEO methods, which improve your website through legal means, consequently providing long-term success.