On the Internet, you will find many articles about the meaning of SEO, but many of them contain a lot of technical terms that are difficult to understand. Most people are lost and more confused after reading just a few lines and usually stop reading the article altogether.
However, our article about the meaning of SEO is different. Its goal is to introduce Search Engine Optimization to anyone looking for a clear explanation of the meaning of SEO.
SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization. But let’s split the term Search Engine Optimization in two and explain each one separately. So, let’s start with Search Engine.
Search Engine Meaning
If we have a problem, an ailment, or even if we’re just in a “buying mood,” the first place we usually look for answers is the internet. It doesn’t matter what search engine we choose to use, each one has an answer to whatever it is we’re searching for. But have you ever considered how search engines actually work?
The most popular and most used search engine is Google, but of course there are other search engines like Bing, Yahoo, Yandex and many more. Each search engine is very sophisticated, using its own algorithms and methods to evaluate the results.
Let’s talk about Google. Google has a huge database of websites’ information called Indexes. Each index is acquired by a Googlebot (Google’s web crawling bot, sometimes called a “spider”), which automatically browses the web and retrieves website information and then indexes it. If you enter any word or phrase into Google Search, Google will send a Googlebot. The Googlebot has “speed-of-light” browsing Indexing functions, categorically assessing as many documents as possible in the shortest time. Google then evaluates these documents according to a very complex algorithm.
Google’s algorithm consists of more than 200 factors that are responsible for the search result we get. Thanks to Google’s algorithm, displayed results are also the most relevant to your search request.
That was the meaning of Search Engine (SE), now let’s talk about the meaning of Optimization (O).
Optimization Meaning
Optimization is a customization of the website so that it is friendly to both Search Engines like Google and its Users.
Google searches across millions of websites and must find the best sites with relevant content for the user in order to offer the best results. However, a non-optimized website that doesn’t meet Google’s criteria won’t show in the results. In the Year 2019, if your website isn’t using the appropriate keywords or phrases relevant to Google, then your website will not show up on the first pages of any Google Search. In effect, that website practically doesn’t exist.
In general, people will click on the results that appear on their first page of Google. They typically won’t search in multiple pages. If people don’t find what they’re looking for on the first page, they likely change the search keywords or phrases rather than continue to the second page of search results. SEO is the most important factor in enabling a website to appear in the search result at the highest possible position after a user has typed in their keywords or key phrases.
The meaning of SEO is not only to be on the first page in the search engine results. But also, to increase the quality and quantity of website traffic through organic search engine results.
And here we come to the meaning of SEO and why every website needs it
SEO consists of procedures, methods, and strategies through which a website can reach higher positions in search engine results for the chosen keywords.
The first and the most important step in SEO, is performing a website audit. Starting an SEO without a website audit is kind of like a doctor attempting to treat you without examining you first. A site audit will show the weaknesses and strengths of the website.
Forget about a Free Website Audit where no human is involved in the process. Most of the time, in exchange for your email address, you’ll get only basic information without any solutions. A proper Website Audit is done by SEO experts, using sophisticated software and their invaluable experience. The final report brings solutions to any problem and so the website audit takes time, effort and naturally, all of that involves some cost.
Based on the website audit, we will start with On-Page Optimization and continue with Off-Page Optimization.
A few things the On-Page Optimization process consists of:
- Images optimization
- Keyword Density
- Site performance
- Internal & External Links structure
- Relevant Titles & Meta Descriptions
- And others
Off-Page Optimization process consists of:
- Backlinks Management
- Social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Blog sharing, Relevant Articles, Guest post
- And others
Well done On-Page optimization and Off-Page optimization procedures are keystones for the success of SEO. Your website needs to achieve good results in most of these areas in order to beat your competition.
At first glance, the meaning of SEO may seem like it is trying to improve the website only for search engines like Google. However, the user’s behaviour on any given website is of equal importance. How users behave on a website and the length of the time they spend on that website will also affect the site position in the search results. Your website must offer valuable content, the website design must be user-friendly and navigation across pages must be intuitive. Your website should keep your visitors engaged for as long as possible.
If you want to comply with Google requirements, please read our article 8 Tips To Make Google Love Your Website.
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We’ll dive a bit deeper into the meaning of SEO
SEO is a long-term process. This process may take some time, but there are procedures to try to speed up or deceive the operation. For example, in digital marketing we distinguish between the White Hat SEO and Black Hat SEO.
White Hat SEO
includes all the techniques that are recommended by the search engines. White Hat SEO techniques help websites reach the top positions in search engine results without being penalized.
Black Hat SEO
techniques are prohibited by search engines. The goal of using these techniques is to fool the search engine algorithm to think that your website is better (or more compliant) than it really is. Although using black hat SEO will yield quick results, the site will be penalized if it is detected by the search engine. The most common black hat SEO include backlinks-buying, excessive keyword use, or duplicate content/copy content.
In our next article, we will discuss SEO Pros and SEO Cons in more details. To get notified about our new posts, please Sign Up.
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Summary of SEO Meaning
SEO helps websites show up in search results through given keywords, allocating them to the top positions. The higher the position on Google, the more people will see the site and the likelihood they will click on it is greatly improved. Do not underestimate SEO: organic traffic is the most important source of visits to every website.
Remember, quality content is King. Also, make sure that the technical aspects of the site have been optimized for efficiency, speed, and keywords.
Hopefully, this explanation of the meaning of SEO has been helpful to you.
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