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Definition of the term, "hidden text"

hidden text

Also known as: "invisible text", "keyword spam "

Hidden text is a spam technique used to deceive search engines. The loose principle is that search engines look at the number of instances any given phrase appears on a particular page and ranks each page accordingly. Keyword spamming aims to increase the number of instances the keyphrase appears on the page. By using hidden text, the webmaster can keyword spam by effectively serving different content to search engines (users don't see the spam).

There are many different techniques used to achieve this (same colour text / background, using CSS to position text "off screen, using JavaScript to redirect users to the real content while search engines view the keyword spam). However the vast majority of hidden text techniques are monitored by search engines and as such can warrant a penalty or complete ban from the search index.

It is highly recommended to avoid using hidden text - there is little reward and the risk is great considering the alternative is to simply write compelling SEO friendly copy!

Related terms and definitions

• ban (from search engine index)
• best industry practice
• black hat SEO
• ethical SEO
• keyword (aka keyphrase)
• keyword spamming

eflaunt is a UK Internet Marketing and Search Engine Optimisation agency based in Edinburgh, Scotland. For industry news, please refer to the eflaunt SEO blog.