What is Negative SEO?
Negative SEO refers to malicious tactics used to harm a competitor’s search rankings through spammy backlinks, content scraping, fake reviews, or technical sabotage.
Ecommerce SEO Glossary > General SEO > Negative SEO
What You Need to Know about Negative SEO
Toxic Link Attacks
Competitors may build thousands of low-quality, spammy backlinks to your site attempting to trigger algorithmic penalties.
Content Scraping Harm
Attackers copy your content across multiple sites to create duplicate content issues and dilute your search authority.
Fake Review Campaigns
Malicious actors post negative reviews across platforms to damage reputation and local search rankings simultaneously.
Website Hacking Attempts
Security breaches can inject spam, malware, or hidden links that trigger search engine penalties and ranking drops.
Regular Backlink Monitoring
Check your link profile monthly in Search Console and disavow suspicious toxic links to prevent damage.
Google’s Algorithmic Protection
Modern algorithms largely ignore low-quality link attacks, making negative SEO less effective than previously possible.
Frequently Asked Questions about Negative SEO
1. How common are negative SEO attacks?
Relatively rare in most industries, but competitive niches like loans, gambling, and ecommerce see higher attack rates.
2. Can negative SEO actually hurt rankings?
Large-scale attacks can cause temporary issues, but Google’s algorithms have improved at ignoring manipulative negative tactics.
3. How do I know if I’m under attack?
Monitor sudden ranking drops, unusual backlink spikes, duplicate content alerts, or unexpected Search Console warnings.
4. What should I do if attacked?
Document evidence, disavow toxic links through Search Console, secure your site, and file reconsideration requests if penalized.
Explore More EcommerCe SEO Topics
Related Terms
Let’s Talk About Ecommerce SEO
If you’re ready to experience the power of strategic ecommerce seo and a flood of targeted organic traffic, take the next step to see if we’re a good fit.