In recent years, the formula for successful search engine optimization has generally includes paying attention to algorithm signals and updates, producing quality content, engaging with social media followers, and pursuing quality inbound links. This organic strategy is supposed to be at the heart of digital marketing; unfortunately, not everyone in the SEO community follows it. Spam content, fake traffic, negative SEO, and questionable tactics to obtain quality inbound links are sullying the reputation of digital marketing. In some circles, unethical SEO practitioners refer to themselves as "black hat" digital marketers who know how to game the system. Many of these unethical actors work on their own, but quite a few end up getting jobs at online marketing agencies where they continue to practice their underhanded tactics. The problem with "bad SEO" practitioners is that they have a potential to discourage co-workers who are new to digital marketing. For a recent college graduate who delves into Google Analytics and follows established public relations practices, it is dispiriting to see SEO colleagues using tricks such as buying traffic, chasing surreptitious guest posts and using fake Facebook profiles to inflate engagement rates. Off-page SEO is becoming more important than on-page SEO, and this is something that black hat practitioners do not touch because they consider it to be time consuming and not worthy of their efforts. The most respected SEO firms in the world will do everything in their power to operate like the PR agencies of Madison Avenue when it comes to positioning their clients' websites; they will strike natural partnerships with influencers and established media outlets that can generate quality traffic. This is the kind of work that black hat SEO practitioners will not touch. Jaded PR analysts often compare the SEO world with mainstream publishing, a sector where ethics have flown out the window in the digital era. Professionals who are new to digital marketing should not feel discouraged by the rogue SEO community; in the long run, all it takes is a change in the search engine algorithm to separate the bad apples. Sticking to the ethical formula of organic SEO will always triumph in the end. For more information click here https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/comments/92sa2a/badseocommunityaroundmediscouragesme_from/.