Great Article on SEO Minefields

CNet has an outstanding article about the difference between "White Hat" seo techniques (playing within the rules,) and "Black Hat" seo techniques (gaming Google for articially high results.)

The article also gives an example of what happens when you use techniques that stray a little too far into the gray area to promote your site. A guy who ran a dating website used "widget bait," and got his site jettisoned from Google for his troubles.

All of this underscores the idea that you HAVE to play within the rules. Any technique that promises instant results is a guarantee that your site won't be listed on Google for much longer.

Be careful out there.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10034107-93.html