{"id":20219,"date":"2020-01-29T13:01:10","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T13:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/glosario-digital\/cloaking"},"modified":"2026-05-11T22:34:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T22:34:44","slug":"cloaking","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/cloaking","title":{"rendered":"Cloaking"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Cloacking\"<\/p>\n

Definition: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Cloaking<\/em> is a technique used in Black Hat SEO used to send the content of a web page to a search engine in such a way that search engines are shown different content than that shown to a human search engine. The goal of this cover-up is to increase the search engine rank of a website with certain keywords.<\/p>\n

In cloaking, the search engine and the user are not literally on the same page. Therefore, both the user and the search engine are being deceived.<\/p>\n\n

How is cloaking done?<\/h2>\n

This is done by delivering content based on the IP addresses or HTTP header of the user requesting the page. When a user identifies themselves as a search engine spider, a server script provides a different version of the web page, which includes content that is not present on the visible page, or that is present but cannot be searched.<\/p>\n

Is cloaking useful?<\/h2>\n

No. In fact, it is a practice in disuse and totally discouraged in the current SEO strategy.<\/a><\/p>\n

Frequently asked questions about Cloaking<\/h2>\n
\n
\nWhat does Cloaking mean in digital marketing?<\/summary>\n

Cloaking refers to the concept described in this glossary entry: Definition: Cloaking is a technique used in Black Hat SEO used to send the content of a web page to a search engine in such a way that search engines are shown different content than that shown to a human search engine. In cloaking, the search engine and the user are not literally on the same page. It gives teams a shared vocabulary for analysing digital projects.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nWhen should teams pay attention to Cloaking?<\/summary>\n

Teams should review Cloaking when it affects acquisition, measurement, user experience, content, automation or campaign performance. The important step is to connect the definition with a real decision.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nHow is Cloaking used in a digital strategy?<\/summary>\n

Cloaking is used by translating the concept into practical checks: where it appears in the funnel, which data or channel is involved and whether it needs optimisation, monitoring or documentation.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nWhat is a common mistake when interpreting Cloaking?<\/summary>\n

A common mistake is using Cloaking too broadly. It is better to verify the context, the tool or the metric involved before making strategic or technical conclusions.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n