Seo Forum

Search Engine Optimization => Advanced Search Engine Optimization => Topic started by: CryBaby on 06-07-2010, 08:32:11

Title: What is Cloaking?
Post by: CryBaby on 06-07-2010, 08:32:11
Hi, can anyone explain to me what is cloaking definition in the Black Hat Methods?
Cloaking in general is hiding/ camouflage.
So what does the term mean in Black Hat Methods?
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: Sevam on 06-07-2010, 11:16:47
Cloaking is a black hat search engine optimization technique in which the content presented to the search engine spider is different to that presented to the user's browser.
This is done by delivering content based on the IP addresses or the User-Agent HTTP header of the user requesting the page.
When a user is identified as a search engine spider, a server-side script delivers a different version of the web page, one that contains content not present on the visible page.
The purpose of cloaking is to deceive search engines so they display the page when it would not otherwise be displayed.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: aaricevans on 02-23-2012, 21:21:10
Cloacking is categorized below the Black Hat SEO Techniques. It is a unreliable method used to cheat the search engines to rank well for desired keywords. It is used for the presentation of the different forms of content to search engines and several different presentations to users.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: TM-Ali on 02-23-2012, 23:29:09
In the context of Black Hat methods, cloaking refers to a technique used to deceive search engines. It involves presenting different content to search engine crawlers than what is shown to regular users. The purpose is to manipulate search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic to a website. By showing search engines optimized content that may not be visible or easily accessible to users, individuals engaging in cloaking aim to trick search engines into ranking their website higher than it deserves. This is considered a Black Hat method because it violates search engine guidelines and is intended to exploit the system for personal gain.

Cloaking in the Black Hat context typically involves using various methods to present content to search engine crawlers that is different from what actual users see. This can be done by using techniques such as IP cloaking, user-agent detection, or JavaScript redirects.

IP cloaking involves detecting the IP address of the search engine crawler and serving it specific content, while showing different content to regular users. User-agent detection identifies the user-agent string of the search engine crawler and delivers tailored content accordingly. JavaScript redirects involve using code to redirect search engine crawlers to optimized pages while sending regular users to different pages.

The goal of cloaking in the Black Hat context is usually to manipulate search engine rankings and gain a higher position in search results. By presenting content specifically designed to appeal to search engines while hiding it from actual users, individuals engaging in cloaking hope to increase their website's visibility and drive more organic traffic.

few more points about cloaking in the context of Black Hat methods:

1. Techniques used: In addition to the methods mentioned earlier, cloaking can also involve dynamically generating web pages based on keyword queries from search engines. This allows cloakers to create highly optimized pages that cater to specific search terms while hiding them from regular users.

2. Hidden or invisible text: Cloakers might use techniques like hiding text by making it the same color as the background, placing it behind images, or using tiny font sizes. This text is intended solely for search engine crawlers and is not meant to be seen by users.

3. Redirects and doorway pages: Cloakers sometimes employ doorway pages, which are low-quality pages designed solely for search engine rankings. These pages then redirect users to the actual website or content the cloaker intends to promote.

4. Short-term gains, long-term risks: While cloaking might provide short-term benefits by artificially boosting search engine rankings and traffic, there are significant risks involved. Search engines have become increasingly sophisticated at detecting cloaking practices, and if caught, the consequences can be severe, including penalties, removal from search engine results, or even permanent bans.

5. Ethical concerns: Cloaking is widely regarded as an unethical practice because it manipulates search engine algorithms to gain an unfair advantage over other websites that follow legitimate optimization techniques. It undermines the integrity of search engine results, making it harder for users to find trustworthy and relevant information.

It's important to note that cloaking techniques are against the guidelines set by search engines, and using them can lead to negative consequences both in terms of reputation and visibility. It is always recommended to focus on ethical and sustainable SEO practices that prioritize quality content and user experience.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: ella.boswell on 02-28-2012, 00:01:06
Basically cloaking is what human reading the site would see different content or information than the Googlebot or other search engine robot reading the site. Most of the time, cloaking is implemented in order to improve search engine ranking by misleading the search engine robot into.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: RichardSmith on 02-29-2012, 06:14:37
Hello guys,

Generally  Cloaking means to present different version of web page contents from of search engines to search robots and human visitors based on their browser's user agent or IP address.

Thanks a lot

Reputationhead.com
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: hjones on 03-05-2012, 11:45:22
Sometimes cloaking can happen unintentionally, which you will have to watch out for. For example, if you use frames on your site (even though the practice has been outdated for 10 years) you will be using three different html files to create the page design. When Google indexes this, it will only index 1 of the 3 files. Google will be reading one of the files, but the design of three files will be showing. This actually does constitute as cloaking even though there is no bad intentions behind it. Sometimes hiding links or using invisible text can also be considered cloaking.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: Smith Jones on 03-08-2012, 03:31:36
 Cloaking generally means to present different version of web page contents from of search engines to search robots and human visitors based on their browser's user agent or IP address. It's a deceptive method used to cheat search engines in order to rank well for desired keywords.

Thanks and regards

Smith Jones  !-!
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: ameliewakelin on 04-04-2012, 23:28:53
QuoteCloaking generally means to present different version of web page contents from of search engines to search robots and human visitors based on their browser's user agent or IP address. It's a deceptive method used to cheat search engines in order to rank well for desired keywords.

Cloaking defines in above quotes. I just want to add types of cloaking here:

IP address Cloaking - a method of presenting different contents based on determining IP addresses. e.g. Search engines with certain IP addresses will be shown a one version of a web page and all other IP addresses will be shown another version.

User-Agent Cloaking - a method of delivering different versions of a website based on User-Agent. e.g. Search engines and/or users using different versions of web browsers are served with different contents of a web page.

HTTP_REFERER Header Cloaking - if a user is coming from a certain website (e.g. clicking a link from search results or a website) they will be presented a different version of a website based on the HTTP_REFERER header value.

HTTP Accept-Language Header Cloaking - may be used to show different versions of a website based on a users web browser language without letting them for an option of language selection.

JavaScript Cloaking - users with JavaScript enabled browsers are shown one version while users with JavaScript turned off (like search engines) are shown another version of a website.

Finally, cloaking can be a dangerous thing so be careful while using it.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: KiranaTama on 04-05-2012, 00:53:46
Cloaking is a technique used by some Web sites to deliver one page to a search engine for indexing while serving an entirely different page to everyone else.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: kelly on 04-11-2012, 23:30:41
Cloaking is the black hat SEO technique. Cloaking  means to present different version of web page contents for the visitors and search engine for the ranking and traffic.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: onlinemotorcycle on 04-17-2012, 00:33:29
show google spider irrelevent serch either using redirect or 302.This is black hat technique and google dislike this technique.
Title: Re: What is Cloaking?
Post by: Worldeyeglasses on 02-28-2015, 05:12:43
Cloaking takes a user to other sites than he or she expects by disguising those sites' true content. During cloaking, the search engine spider and the browser are presented with different content for the same Web page.