Be in the Know
- Google responds to a Wall Street Journal investigation citing millions of fake business listings.
- Microsoft bans the use of the free version of Slack for its 100,000+ employees.
- Say goodbye to Convert2MP3.com. The popular audio ripping site is officially shutting down amidst copyright infringement claims.
What the hat?
If you’ve spent any time in the SEO world, you’ve likely heard the following:
White Hat, Black Hat, Gray Hat, and (yes) A$$ Hat.
We’re gonna give you the highlight reel so you feel more educated if and when the hat conversation arises.
What you need to know:
- What are hats? Hats are SEO philosophies. Each hat is tied to how closely SEO professionals adhere to Google’s Webmaster guidelines.
- What do the colors mean? The colors are indicators based on the tactics you use to rank.
Now, let’s break down the colors:
- White Hat: If you’re following white hat strategies, you’re a rule follower through and through. White hat practitioners adhere 100% to the Google Webmaster guidelines.
- Gray Hat: White hat strategies are good and well, but the truth is, if you’re only using white hat, it’ll take you years to rank. Enter gray hat. ‘The minute you do something to attract or acquire links, you are no longer a white hat.’ Gray hat strategies put you right in the middle.
- Black Hat: You rebel you! If you’re actively looking for ways around Google’s guidelines, you’re likely wearing a black hat. There’s controversy around black hat strategy, but some SEO pros will tell you it’s a necessary evil.
- A$$ Hat: Whatever hat you wear, don’t wear the a$$ hat. A$$hats implore high-risk strategies that can hurt the clients’ site. They typically don’t tell the client about said strategies. Another type of a$$hat is a person and/or company that markets SEO services with ‘zero’ SEO knowledge.
Watch
Dwight Schrute Trivia
Billie Ellish is kind of a big deal (and also a huge Office fan).
Billboard sent Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight Schrute) to Billie’s house to surprise her and to quiz her on some show-related trivia.
Enjoy.
Stay Focused
Mondays can be a bit distracting, right?
Well, here’s to staying Focusd (not a typo).
StayFocusd is a productivity extension for Google Chrome that helps you stay focused on work by restricting the amount of time you can spend on time-wasting websites. Once your allotted time has been used up, the sites you have blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day.
Give it a try.
