Volkswagen: "Oh, hidden text is not allowed?"

The Google Enterprise blog recently featured the Volkswagon website for using new Google features to power a search box on their website. Google was unaware the major car manufacturer was actually using Black Hat SEO by using hidden text.

Below is the hidden text as reported by Search Engine Land:

Volkswagen of America presents U.S. vehicle information, pricing, incentives, deals, comparisons on Eos, GTI, Jetta, New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, Passat, Passat Wagon, Touareg, Rabbit, R32 and the GLI with links to VW dealers, owner information, Volkswagen merchandise, and VW accessories. homepage, volkswagen, volkswagon, vw.com, home, landing, top, volkswagen.com, home page, home, top, back, VWofAmerica, Volkswagen of America, Volkswagon of America, VWoA, VWofA, volkswagon.com"

Okay, so VW got their hand slapped. You may now find most of these terms in their metatags. Big change, eh? Here is the description metatag from the VW site.

Volkswagen of America presents U.S. vehicle information, pricing, incentives, deals,
comparisons on Eos, GTI, Jetta, New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, Passat, Passat Wagon, Touareg, Rabbit, R32 and the GLI with links to VW dealers, owner information, Volkswagen merchandise, and VW accessories.

So, if metatags are important, again, then the metatag should do the job of the hidden text. It will be interesting to see if their traffic increases or decreases over the next few months.

Tags: Volkswagen, VW, Black Hat SEO, hidden text, search engine spamming