Sharʿī Guidelines on SEO: Permissible and Prohibited Methods

Sharʿī Ruling on SEO and Its Permissible & Impermissible Methods
Answer by: Shaykh Khiḍr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh

❖ Question:​

What is the Sharʿī status of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in Islamic teachings?

❖ Understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimization)​

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, known in Arabic as تحسين محرك البحث, is an important tool in the digital world. It refers to the process of organizing and optimizing digital content (like articles, videos, posts, etc.) so that it appears prominently in search engine results (such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo).


According to ChatGPT:


"SEO is the process of structuring a website so that it appears more prominently in internet search engines."

❖ Common Aspects of SEO Include:​

✔ Improving content quality
✔ Using relevant keywords
✔ Proper placement of hashtags
✔ Creating engaging thumbnails for videos and posts
✔ Structuring pages in a way that improves visibility in search rankings


Numerous articles, tutorials, and courses are available online explaining SEO in detail.

❖ Sharʿī Perspective: Two Categories of SEO​

➊ Permissible and Ethical SEO Practices:​

✔ If keywords, hashtags, and thumbnails used in SEO genuinely reflect the actual content, and no deception or falsehood is involved, then this method is:


Sharʿī-wise permissible
Professional and beneficial


◈ In fact, it is recommended for Islamic preachers (duʿāt) and content creators to apply good SEO so that Islamic content reaches more people via search engines and algorithms.

➋ Impermissible and Deceptive SEO Practices:​

If SEO involves the use of false or misleading keywords, irrelevant hashtags, or deceptive thumbnails — simply to attract users searching for trending topics — this is:


Sharʿī-wise impermissible
Considered a form of cheating and deception

❖ Further Clarification:​

Modern search engine algorithms have become very advanced.
Those who use deceptive SEO tactics are soon identified and:


◈ Their content is demoted in search rankings
◈ They lose credibility and visibility


Thus, not only is it haram, it is also counterproductive in the long term.

Summary​

✔ Ethical SEO that aligns with the actual content is permissible and encouraged
✔ Deceptive SEO, involving false claims or manipulation, is haram
✔ Islam promotes clarity, honesty, and trust — these principles apply equally in the digital space


وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب