SEO Glossary
Understanding SEO starts with knowing the essential terms. Below is a neatly organized list of important SEO concepts to help you grasp the fundamentals faster.
How Search Engines Work
Algorithm
The system search engines use to decide how to rank web pages. Algorithms are updated regularly to improve search quality.
Crawl
When search engine bots scan and analyze web pages.
Indexing
The process of storing and organizing crawled pages in the search engine’s database so they can appear in results.
Robots.txt
A file that tells search engines which pages or sections of your website should not be crawled.
Sitemap
A file listing all pages on your website to help search engines find and index your content more efficiently.
Website Structure & Content Optimization
On-Page SEO
Optimizing individual web pages’ content and HTML source code, including titles, headings, images, and keywords.
Title Tag
The title of a webpage shown in search results and browser tabs; an important ranking factor.
Meta Description
A short summary of the page content shown under the title in search results that helps improve click-through rates.
Header Tags (H1, H2, etc.)
HTML tags used to structure content hierarchically, with H1 as the main heading and H2, H3 as subheadings.
Canonical URL
A tag indicating the preferred version of a webpage to avoid duplicate content issues.
Internal Linking
Links between pages within the same website to improve navigation and help search engines understand site structure.
Content Quality
The originality, usefulness, and clarity of your content — crucial for both users and search engines.
Keywords
Keyword
Words or phrases users type into search engines. Choosing the right keywords helps attract the right audience.
Keyword Stuffing
Overusing keywords unnaturally in content, which can lead to search engine penalties.
Long-Tail Keywords
Longer, more specific keyword phrases with lower competition, often attracting more targeted traffic.
Links and Authority
Backlink
A link from another website pointing to your site; important for building authority and improving rankings.
Link Building
The process of acquiring backlinks, focusing on quality and relevance to boost SEO.
Domain Authority
A score predicting a website’s ability to rank well, based on factors like backlink profile.
User Experience & Technical SEO
Page Speed
How fast your webpage loads; faster speeds improve user experience and rankings.
Mobile Optimization
Making sure your site works well on smartphones and tablets, as mobile usability affects SEO.
User Experience (UX)
How easy and pleasant it is for visitors to use your site; good UX supports better SEO.
HTTPS
A secure version of the website protocol that encrypts data; Google favors secure websites.
Traffic & Rankings
Organic Traffic
Visitors who find your website through unpaid search results.
Ranking
Your page’s position in search engine results pages (SERPs); higher rankings mean more visibility.
Search Engine Results Page (SERP)
The page shown by a search engine after a query, including organic results and paid ads.
Other Important Terms
Schema Markup
Code added to your pages to help search engines better understand your content and enhance search listings.
URL
The web address of a page; clean and descriptive URLs are better for SEO.
Bounce Rate
The percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page; a high bounce rate may indicate issues.