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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