Google is the most wonderful resource that business today has. There has never been a time in history where I could cost effectively access so many potential customers. It is quick, simple and powerfully effective.

Google is the world biggest and most powerful search engine. There are most searches carried out daily on Google and it lists (indexes), more websites than any other options available. Most importantly from a users point if view, it is a great tool to use. I get good quality answers to searches; it downloads quickly and has not been cluttered with useless advertising and junk.

The sophistication and power of Google has not just happened. It has been well designed and carefully orchestrated. Google has beaten all of its rivals. Companies once bigger than Google have been left behind. Take Yahoo for example, Google's closest rival, it has moved from a search engine to a paid listing search engine about 12 months ago. After speaking to over 200 people every month and informal surveys, it is clearly indicated that most Australian business people are using Google as their search engine of choice.

Google's success has come about because of its strict rules. It is determined to offer the best results to its users, so it asks people wanting to submit their websites to it search engines to follow the rules or the “terms and conditions”.

These are simple enough to follow and for those that both know the “rules” and follow them, life is very profitable. But like every thing in life, there are always a few that want to cheat the system and try to gain unfair advantages over other legitimate websites listed on Google.

The team at Google takes a dim view on those that choose to break the “terms and conditions”.

The end result for the cheats is that they are often banned from Google. Their website address is listed on a magical list somewhere that gets referred to as a blacklist or a “white list” and the domain will not appear on searches on Google. It is a good cleansing device and helps legitimate business owners to do well on the Google searches.

The sad shame about this is that often innocent people using website designers that they trusted to do the right thing by them, end up being banned as well. To ensure that you are not caught up with this group and use a company who is acting on out of date information, do not know the rules or are actively trying to break the rules to win more business, here are a few guidelines to follow with your website.

How to get blacklisted from Google

Google can be your businesses best friend or it can blacklist your website permanently. Don't lose your identity because of bad advice from amateurs.

You have worked hard for several years building a good website, having regular clients, a name and reputation online.
Then you are blacklisted from Google. New business dries up over night and your flourishing business is in trouble.

Scary isn't it. Stories like this are emerging about thousands of people throughout the world.

How does this happen? They have broken the Google rules and Google has blacklisted the website. It is now no longer listed or indexed on the Google search engine. The treasured high rankings the website previously enjoyed, are gone and now people can no longer find the website. Business drops instantly.

It is a little bit like having a very active shop front business. People see you as they pass and you have a steady flow of traffic in your front door daily. Business is great.

One morning you walk out the front of your shop thinking to yourself, “things are very quiet”. Then you see there is a large concrete wall right across the front of your store. No one can see you any more. To the public, you have dropped out of view.

That is what it is like to be dropped from Google. It can be utterly devastating to your business. There are mailing lists and online forums full of desperate people trying to find out what happened and how to get listed back onto Google.

What are the consequences of being blacklisted from Google?

The reality is, that it is virtually impossible to get re-listed and most people finally give up, then go and find a new identity. In other words they have to get a new domain and start building their business again. It is terrible to read their stories, as most have been oblivious to the risks that this could actually happen to them.

Take Sarah for example.
She bought a website and believed her graphic designer was helping her. He suggested things and because she knew no better, she agreed. When she was dropped from Google, she contacted Google and told them the story but to no avail. She had broken the rules and even though she had followed the “expert advice” her graphic designer shared with her, the onus was on her. When using Google you must follow their guidelines or be prepared to be banned from their listings.


Points to following when listing on Google

1. Do not use “auto submission” software such as Web Position Gold
2. Do not try to set up “doorway” pages that all lead to your website
3. Do not use hidden pages or buy multiple domains and point them all to your website

The Website Lady  "Keeping an eye on the focus of your website"

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