Negative SEO (or black hat SEO) is a set of malicious techniques that can harm the visibility of your website in Google Search. Motivations behind negative SEOUnfortunately, the motivations behind negative SEO are rather straightforward: competitors want to gain an advantage and are willing to play dirty to get it. In a world where a robust SEO standing is crucial for companies, the damage done by a successful negative SEO attack can be extensive. Types of negative SEOa) Spammy link buildingSpammy link building is a common form of negative SEO. How to detect (& avoid) negative SEOWith so many negative SEO tactics out there, having a strong defense plan in place is essential to protect your online presence from attacks.