# Hidden text Category: [Spam & Guidelines](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/spam-guidelines/) › [Deception & manipulation](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/spam-guidelines/deception-manipulation/) **Hidden text** is content placed on a page so that visitors cannot see it, or barely see it, while search engines can still read it. It counts as spam when its purpose is to manipulate search rankings. This entry covers the SEO meaning, not hidden text in Word documents or invisible Unicode characters. ## What does Google count as hidden text? Google's spam policy gives these examples: - white text on a white background - text behind an image - text positioned off-screen with CSS - font size or opacity set to 0 - a link that is attached only to one small character, such as a hyphen in the middle of a paragraph Some hiding is fine. Google lists accordions and tabs that toggle content, sliders, tooltips, and text meant only for screen readers to improve their experience. The CSS can be the same, for example `display: none`. What differs is whether users can reach the content and what it is for. Pages that break the policy may rank lower or disappear from results. Google combines automated systems with human review. ## Example Text pushed out of the visible area, a pattern from Google's list: ```html

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``` A tab panel that opens on click is acceptable, because visitors can open it themselves: ```html