What Is Invisible Text on Websites?
Invisible text means writing words on a website that you can’t see. This text might be the same color as the background or placed where people can’t find it. Most visitors will never notice it. But search engines like Google can still read it. I’m a digital content manager, and over the years, I’ve seen how invisible text is used — sometimes for good reasons and sometimes to cheat search engines. In this article, I’ll explain both sides and why it matters.
Why Do Some Websites Use Invisible Text?
There are two main reasons people use invisible text. Some do it to help users with screen readers or to give extra info to search engines in a clean way. Others use it to trick search engines and get more visitors. The second use can lead to punishment from Google.
For example, I once managed a project for a small business site. We added some helpful text for accessibility reasons. It was not visible to everyone but helped blind users understand images. This is a good use of invisible text. However, some websites hide big chunks of keywords to try to rank higher on search engines like Google, and that’s considered spam.
How Does Invisible Text Work?
Website owners can hide text using special code. Here are a few ways they do it:
Ways Websites Hide Text
| Method | How It Works | Example |
| CSS Display: None | The text is in the code but not shown on screen | <p style=”display:none;”>hidden text</p> |
| Same Text Color as Background | Makes the text blend in so you can’t see it | White text on a white background |
| Off-Screen Positioning | Pushes the text far to the side | Text set at -9999 pixels |
| Font Size Zero | Makes the text so small it’s invisible | Text set to font-size: 0 |
These tricks are easy to do with basic HTML and CSS, which means even beginners can hide text if they want to. But doing it for the wrong reasons can cause problems.
SEO Risks: Is Invisible Text Bad for Google?
Yes, using invisible text the wrong way is very risky. If Google finds out you’re trying to trick it, your site might be removed from search results. That’s called getting blacklisted.
In my professional experience, I’ve had clients come to me after being penalized. One client copied a trick from another website by hiding long lists of cities to try to rank higher locally. It worked for a few weeks, but then their whole site dropped from Google’s index. Fixing the damage took months. Google even says in their own search guidelines that hidden text made to deceive is against their policies.
If you want to learn more about how Google handles this, visit their official spam policies.
Are There Good Reasons to Use Hidden Text?
Yes, and it’s important to know the difference. Some invisible text is used to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. For example:
- A button that only shows an icon might also have hidden words to explain what it does for screen readers.
- Long descriptions of images can be hidden from sighted users but read aloud to blind users.
This kind of use is supported by groups like the W3C which sets web standards. It’s not spam, and it actually helps people.
Secondary Keywords: “Invisible Text in SEO” and “Hidden Text Example”
Invisible Text in SEO: Should You Use It?
Search engines look at the words on your website to figure out what it’s about. So some people think if they hide extra keywords, they’ll rank better. That used to work 20 years ago, but now Google is smart enough to spot these tricks.
For example, someone might add a sentence like “best cheap bourbon under $20 buy bourbon near me” and make it invisible. But Google’s crawlers still see it, and they’ll know it’s not natural. That’s why using invisible text in SEO is dangerous if it’s not done for the right reasons.
Hidden Text Example That Got Banned
Let me tell you a real-world story. A fashion website used to rank for lots of trending styles. But when I checked their code, I found hidden paragraphs full of keyword phrases like “cheap jeans,” “summer outfits 2025,” and “buy shoes online.” None of this was shown to users.
They got banned from search engines and had to rebuild their whole content strategy. The risk just isn’t worth it.
If you’re serious about learning ethical SEO, Moz offers beginner’s guides to SEO that are trustworthy and easy to follow.
What Does This Mean for Website Owners?
If you run a website or blog, always think about the user first. Ask yourself: “Is this helpful to my visitors?” If the answer is no, then maybe that content shouldn’t be there — visible or not.
Here’s what I recommend from my own management experience:
- Use clear, useful text that real people can read
- Keep your SEO honest — don’t hide words or fake content
- Test your website with screen readers and mobile devices
These steps help you build trust with users and avoid penalties from search engines.
How to Check for Invisible Text on a Website
If you think a site might be using invisible text, you can check in a few easy ways:
Use the Browser Inspect Tool
Right-click on a page and choose “Inspect” or “View Page Source.” Look for text that uses styles like:
- display: none
- visibility: hidden
- color: #ffffff on a white background
- font-size: 0
You don’t need to be a coding expert. Even I started with basic tools like this as a manager checking client websites. Once, I found hidden links for gambling sites on a health blog we managed — they had been hacked. We fixed the issue fast and reported it to Google using the Search Console Spam Report Tool.
Use SEO Tools to Scan Your Site
Professional tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Screaming Frog can scan your entire site and flag hidden text or links. These tools can show you where invisible elements are being used so you can clean them up before Google notices.
Can Invisible Text Hurt Your Business?
Yes. If your website is found to be using deceptive hidden text, it can lead to:
- Loss of trust from users
- Penalties from Google
- Dropped rankings
- Lost traffic
- Lower sales or signups
I once managed an e-commerce site that saw traffic drop by 70% in a month. After an audit, we found an outsourced web designer had stuffed invisible keywords all over the homepage. We removed the code, submitted a reconsideration request to Google, and worked to rebuild trust. It took three months to recover.
Invisible text isn’t just a tech issue — it’s a business risk.
Why Bourbon Was Used as an Example (and How Much It Costs)
Earlier in the article, I mentioned the phrase “cheap bourbon under $20” to show how people misuse invisible text for SEO. Now let’s actually talk about that.
Many people search for affordable bourbon online. Prices vary based on the brand, quality, and age. Here’s a quick table showing common prices:
Bourbon Price Table
| Brand | Price Range | Type |
| Evan Williams Black | $12–$15 | Straight Bourbon |
| Jim Beam | $15–$20 | Kentucky Bourbon |
| Maker’s Mark | $25–$35 | Premium Bourbon |
| Buffalo Trace | $30–$40 | Small Batch |
| Pappy Van Winkle | $500+ | Rare/Premium |
As you can see, you can find decent bourbon under $20, but the premium ones cost much more. If you’re interested in bourbon reviews or where to buy it legally online, Whiskey Advocate has honest reviews and guides. For shopping, try major retailers like Drizly or Total Wine.
Just remember — if a site hides the phrase “buy bourbon cheap” multiple times and it’s not part of visible content, Google may consider it spam.
Better Ways to Improve SEO Without Invisible Text
Now that you understand the risk of hidden text, let’s look at better, honest ways to grow your site. These methods have worked for me and my clients for years:
Focus on Real Content
Write articles that answer real questions. For example, if you sell bourbon, create blog posts like:
- “Top 5 Bourbons Under $30”
- “How Bourbon Is Made: A Beginner’s Guide”
- “Best Bourbon Cocktails for Summer 2025”
These are searchable, helpful, and don’t require hiding anything.
Use Alt Text the Right Way
Instead of hiding keywords, use alt text for images. This helps both search engines and people with screen readers. For example, instead of hiding “best summer outfit,” use that as a real alt description for a product photo. The Web Accessibility Initiative explains how to do this correctly.
Improve Page Speed and User Experience
Fast websites with clean designs and useful information rank better. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights help you test your site and fix problems.
Build Natural Links
Instead of tricking Google with hidden links, work to earn real backlinks from trusted sources. Write guest posts, get listed in directories, or earn shares from happy customers.
What I’ve Learned as a Website Manager
Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked with local businesses, e-commerce stores, and large media sites. I’ve seen people try shortcuts like invisible text or fake links, and it always ends badly. But when we focus on clear, useful content, the results are better and last longer.
One client doubled their traffic in 6 months just by updating their blog regularly, adding better alt text, and improving their page layout. No tricks, just clean SEO. That’s the best long-term strategy.
Final Thoughts: Keep SEO Clean and Honest
Invisible text might sound like a quick way to get more visitors, but the truth is, it’s a risky move. If you’re trying to grow a website, focus on strategies that really work: honest content, helpful info, fast websites, and proper accessibility.
Use invisible text only when it helps your users — like for screen readers — not to cheat search engines. If you ever need help or want to learn more, visit trusted SEO education sites like:
- Google Search Central
- Moz SEO Learning Center
- Search Engine Journal
