Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
Any advice?
Follow the spirit of the law, don't try to find loopholes by obeying only the letter of the law.
Sorry but I'm always happy to see cheaters get caught.
I had a title tag at the top that was white text on a yellow background.
Interested to know how naughty you've been, how much text, what do you mean by a title tag? H1?
Was the colour in the html or in a separate style sheet?
Any other naughtyness?
Come on spill the beans tell us more.
I have reported spam sites that trumped that level of hidden text in spades but are listed fine.
Sorry but I'm always happy to see cheaters get caught.
Did you infer from this post that he was necessarily cheating?
someone might be messing with you.
[edited by: engine at 9:38 am (utc) on Jan. 30, 2007]
[edit reason] language [/edit]
It was very difficult to see and unless you looked, it was virtually invisible. Previously I thought this didn't violate the rule because it was not same color text on same color background.
Technically this isn't against the guidelines but it is sailing pretty close to the wind. Looks like your site didn't pass the hand inspection.
The German large car manufacturer site that was removed last year was reinstated pretty quickly once they'd put their site in order - although for the average Joe it may take a little longer :-)
[edited by: Wibfision at 11:48 am (utc) on Jan. 30, 2007]
There may be nothing else, but as Koan said, if you are not following the spirit of the guidelines, changes in the guidelines will eventually catch up with you. You were cutting it very fine with this - are you doing the same elsewhere?
As some others have mentioned, once "caught" stuff that previously passed under the radar no longer will, I'd get a cynic to look your site over....
Several folks on WebmasterWorld have been through it.
That being said, you should write google and confirm it was really from them and not someone trying to get you to change something so they can outrank you.
edit addition:
Even if it was NOT from them, correct the hidden text. They will eventually get you, even if it was not from them.
[edited by: MThiessen at 1:20 pm (utc) on Jan. 30, 2007]
Go through your site minutely looking for anything else that might be a potential problem. If you are even doubtful about something, fix it.
This is good advice, and I would further suggest that you find one or two disinterested parties (i.e. not your friends or anyone would be reticent to tell you the truth) to go over it with fresh pairs of eyeballs. Sometimes we're so inured to our own sites that we may miss things that would seem obvious to others.
We removed the specific text Google mentioned and have put the corrected page up. It was an H1 tag at the top of the page. Background color was specified in the html. Text color was specified in CSS.
No other funny stuff on the site. This was the only 'ify' thing. We were doing pretty well and I followed advice that an H1 tag was needed to maintain a good rank. It didn't look right, so I messed with the color and then have not thought about it in a long time. Definitely thinking about it now!
Currently we are still showing up in the index. I have requested Google to look at the site again for re-inclusion. Does it take a while for it to be de-listed?
Did you infer from this post that he was necessarily cheating?
To be cheating you have to intentionally do something that you know is against some policy, and it seems to be his case:
It was very difficult to see and unless you looked, it was virtually invisible.
A H1 title is usually something proeminent, at least clearly visible, not something "virtually invisible".
But Google never telegraphed thier actions to me, it went just boom and the whole site was gone.
Thank you so much. I read the entire thread and it was a HUGE help.
I appreciate it.
