While most Internet users are constantly looking for ways to lure customers to their sites, there are others who seem more intent on destroying their likelihood of having a chosen site. There are some definite rules to using search engines such as “Google,” and knowing these rules can help prevent you from being banned from using Google.

First of all, avoid what is called “cloaking.” Cloaking is basically a “bait-and-switch”: your site claims to be about gardening, but when the user clicks on the site they are directed to ditch digging. Another issue is the use of duplicate content; in this case, you would simply cut and paste the content found on one website and pass it off as your own—in effect, plagiarizing. Additionally, avoid keyword-loading, or adding irrelevant keywords to your site description in an attempt to increase web traffic. Your keywords should be directly related to your site content, and adding irrelevant or inaccurate key words is another way to frustrate users and lead them on a link-laden fruitless journey.

Added to these offenses, there are also others. For instance, avoid engaging in “title stacking,” or adding numerous titles to your website title. Doing so will simply confuse users and not make you very popular in the Google community. An obvious offense is distributing—even accidentally—any viruses, Trojans, or any other dubious adware. This is a sure-fire way to get you kicked off Google for good. Finally, avoid using robots to write and or check your content: this is the time to rely on your own brain and writing power and to go about checking your website “by hand,” so to speak.

Overall, Google is a welcoming community for all. However, there is a basic expectation that you will use its features as they are intended to be used and not bog down the search engine with dangerous and/or unnecessary content. Remember that if you do so, you run the real risk of being kicked off Google for good!