SEO Glossary of Terms

Welcome to our Glossary of Terms. Sometimes people get lost in the myriad of words and worse...Acronyms.

Here is a list of words used to describe Search Engine Optimization, its processes, and commonly used terms.

301 redirect

A server-side redirect that permanently moves a web page from one URL to another. 301 redirects preserve search engine rankings and user experience when a web page's URL changes.

404 error

An error message displayed when a web page cannot be found. 404 errors can occur when a page is deleted or when there is an issue with the server or URL. 404 errors can negatively impact user experience and search engine rankings.

Algorithm

The mathematical formula that search engines use to determine the relevance and ranking of web pages in search results.

Alt text

A description of an image used to help search engines understand the content of a web page.

Analytics

The collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to website traffic and user behavior. Analytics tools are used in SEO to measure and track performance metrics.

Backlinks

Links from other websites that point to a particular web page. Backlinks are an important factor in search engine ranking algorithms.

Black Hat

SEO is a term for practices that are ethically questionable and most likely violate some rule or guideline set by a government, an agency thereof, search engine providers, or Internet service providers. If caught for these violations, the results can be very severe.

Canonical tag

A tag added to a web page's HTML code that indicates the preferred URL for a page with duplicate content. Canonical tags consolidate link equity and avoid duplicate content penalties from search engines.

Canonical URL

A preferred URL for a web page that may have multiple versions with different URLs. The canonical URL is used to avoid duplicate content issues.

Citation

A reference to a business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) on another website. Citations are an important factor in local SEO.

Click-through rate (CTR)

The percentage of users who click on a link in search results or an advertisement, calculated as the number of clicks divided by the number of impressions.

Code

The programming information that is behind the scenes or unseen by a web user. Some elements are "coded" but may control how the site is used, or the information displayed.

Conversion

The number of web searches that see your site and then click on your website. The conversion is from impressions to clicks.

Crawling

Search engine programs that read your code and report the information for indexing.

De-Indexing

Removal of a page from a search engine index.

DIY SEO

A term refers to the practice of performing SEO on your website without the help of an agency or professional. DIY SEO can include keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building.

Domain Authority

A score assigned to a website based on its perceived authority, relevance, and trustworthiness. Domain authority predicts the likelihood of a web page ranking in search results. SEO programs use their own scoring system, as Google stopped using Page Ranks.

Done-For-You SEO

A service is offered by SEO agencies or professionals who handle all aspects of SEO on behalf of their clients. Done-For-You SEO can include keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and other strategies.

Featured Snippets

Information that displays towards the top of the Search Engine Results Pages.

Google Analytics

A program that tracks traffic to your website, bounce rates, flow, and much more.

Google My Business

A free tool provided by Google enables businesses to manage their online presence and appear in local search results. Google My Business listings include information such as the business's name, address, phone number, and hours of operation.

Google Search

A program that tracks the website's health and usability. Includes search data.

Indexing

Getting a page to be listed with a search engine, ideally to be displayed in search results.

Intent

The motivation of the web searcher using specific keywords.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

A measurable variable demonstrates how a website site or SEO plan is performing.

Keyword

A word or phrase that users enter into a search engine to find information. Keywords are used in SEO to optimize web pages for specific search terms.

Local Pack

A list of three sites that display for localized searches. Ex: "Taco shops near me"

Local SEO

A branch of SEO that optimizes websites and online listings for local search queries. Local SEO strategies may include citation building, Google My Business optimization, and localized content creation.

Meta description

A summary of the content of a web page that appears in search results. Meta descriptions can influence click-through rates.

On-page SEO

Optimizing individual web pages to improve their ranking and relevance for specific keywords. This includes optimizing content, HTML, and other elements on the page.

Organic Search Results

A website or web page found for a specific keyword not part of a paid campaign.

Paid search

Advertising that appears at the top or bottom of search results pages and is charged on a pay-per-click (PPC) basis. Paid search ads typically appear above organic search results and can be an effective way to drive traffic to a website.

Rankings

The ordinal rank of the page for a specific keyword.

Schema markup

A type of structured data that can be added to a website's code to help search engines understand the page's content. Schema markup can improve the appearance of search results and increase click-through rates.

Search Engine

A website or service that answers queries by displaying relevant results.

Search Engine Optimization

A process in which a website is refined and improved to increase organic results. This process includes technical code fixes, on-page fixes, keyword utilization, backlinks, and competitor analysis.

Search Engine Results Page

The page displays the results of a web search. It contains organic links, sponsored links, and other data.

Semantic Markup

A coding term for ensuring that the code elements are used as intended.

SERP

Search Engine Results Page. The page that displays the results of a web search. It contains organic links, sponsored links, and other data. SERPs can include various features, such as featured snippets, knowledge panels, and local packs. Understanding SERP features is an essential aspect of SEO, as they can impact click-through rates and website traffic.

SERP features

Elements that appear in search results other than the standard ten blue links, such as featured snippets, knowledge panels, and local packs. SERP features can have a significant impact on click-through rates and SEO performance.

Site speed

The time it takes for a website to load and become usable for a user.

Site speed is an essential factor in SEO as it can affect user engagement and search engine rankings.

Structured data

A type of markup that uses standardized formats to help search engines understand the content and context of a web page. Structured data can enhance search results with rich snippets, such as reviews, ratings, and product information.

Title tag

A brief, descriptive title for a web page that appears in search results and at the top of the browser window. Title tags are an important on-page SEO element.

User intent

The goal or motivation of a user when they perform a search query. Understanding user intent is vital in SEO as it helps to optimize content and target the right keywords.

Voice search

The use of voice-activated technology, such as smart speakers or virtual assistants, to perform search queries. Voice search is becoming increasingly popular and can impact SEO strategies, including using long-tail keywords and conversational content.

Webmaster tools

Tools provided by search engines, such as Google Search Console, enable website owners to monitor and maintain their website's presence in search results. Webmaster tools can provide insights into website performance, indexing issues, and other SEO-related metrics.

XML sitemap

A file that lists all of the pages on a website, along with metadata about each page, that is submitted to search engines to help with indexing. XML sitemaps can help search engines crawl and index a website more effectively.