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SEO from A-Z: Search Engine Optimization Glossary

We've compiled a list of some of the most common terms used in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), along with our quick 5-cent definition.


Algorithm:

The set of rules that search engines use to rank web pages in their search results.


Backlink:

A link from one website to another; it's considered a vote of confidence in the site's content and can improve SEO rankings.


Canonical URL:

A way of telling search engines that a specific URL represents the primary copy of a page, used to avoid duplicate content issues.


Domain Authority (DA):

A metric that predicts how well a website will rank on search engines, based on the number and quality of backlinks.


Engagement Metrics:

Data points like bounce rate or time on page that measure how users interact with a site.


Featured Snippet:

A highlighted search result appearing at the top of Google's search results, designed to answer the user's question quickly.


Google Analytics:

A popular tool by Google for tracking and reporting website traffic.


HTML:

The standard language for creating web pages, important for SEO as search engines read HTML to understand site content.


Indexing:

The process by which search engines organize information before a search to enable quick responses to queries.


Keyword:

A word or phrase that describes the content on a webpage and what users might search for to find that content.


Link Building:

The process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own, boosting search engine rankings.


Meta Description:

A brief description in the HTML of a web page that summarizes its content, often displayed in search results.


On-Page SEO:

SEO techniques that involve changes to the visible content and HTML source code of a webpage.


Off-Page SEO:

SEO strategies focused on actions outside of the individual website, such as building backlinks or social media marketing.


PageRank:

An algorithm used by Google to rank web pages in search engine results.


Quality Content:

Content that provides real value to the user, often resulting in better engagement metrics and higher search rankings.


Ranking:

The position of a web page in search engine results for a specific keyword or query.


Robots.txt:

A file that tells search engine crawlers which pages on a site should not be indexed.


Schema Markup:

A code that you put on your website to help search engines provide more informative results.


Search Engine:

A program that searches a database of internet sites to find sites based on keywords.


SERP (Search Engine Results Page):

The page displayed by a search engine in response to a user's search query.


Technical SEO:

The process of optimizing a website for the crawling and indexing phase, which can involve aspects like site speed and mobile-friendliness.


User Experience (UX):

The overall experience a person has using a product or website, which can influence SEO rankings.


White Hat SEO:

Ethical SEO strategies that align with search engine guidelines.


XML Sitemap:

A file that helps search engines better understand your website's structure and find all of its content.



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