How Search Engines treat invisible words?

Selected answers from the Dumb SEO Questions Facebook & G+ community.

• 
  Christian Stelmach: Hello. Is there any way how to make part of a word invisible for the viewer but still let it get read by google without the SEO black-hat-penalty? For example: Moonboots --> Moon(visible)boots(invisible) => Moon
  This isn't because I want to trick Search Engines, but because of a certain Affiliate Company's change in their T.o.S., which suddenly doesn't even allow the trademark-according use of their names. (like in news articles and stuff)
• 
  Alex Whalley: I see invisible links indexed by Google when doing competitor link analysis - ALL the time. Not saying it's Ok but based on what I see it appears Google still index away... and considering I'm profiling top ranking websites there's clearly no penalty LOL... makes you wonder what Google is actually doing... other than counting their Adwords money I mean ;)
• 
  Tony “Tiggerito” McCreath: I know it's frustrating. I'm guessing that your supplier want affiliates to promote their products, but want to control the main channel so they don't have to pay you. Therefore blocking you from targeting that main channel.
  
  I suggest you don't try and fool them. They are your source of income. And can cut you off.
  
  Maybe see if the TOS has some options. e.g. You might be able to advertise on the search terms but not show the term in the ad copy.
• 
  Jim Munro: From the expert panel in this week's SEO Questions hangout on air on 00:23:53 into the YouTube video: https://dumbseoquestions.com/q/how_search_engines_treat_invisible_words +Christian Stelmach
  
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