SEO Glossary

A complex set of rules and calculations used by search engines to determine the ranking of websites on search results pages.

A description of an image in the HTML code that helps search engines understand the content of the image. It's also used for accessibility purposes.

The clickable text in a hyperlink. It should be relevant to the page you are linking to and helps search engines understand the context of the link.

A link from one website to another. Backlinks are important for SEO because they are considered as votes of confidence by search engines.

The percentage of visitors who leave a website after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate may indicate that the content is not relevant or engaging.

Practices that violate search engine guidelines and attempt to manipulate search engine rankings. These can result in penalties from search engines.

The preferred URL for a piece of content. It's used to prevent duplicate content issues by specifying which version of a page should be indexed.

The percentage of people who click on a link after seeing it in search results. A higher CTR can indicate more relevant content.

The process by which search engines discover and index new content on the web. Search engines use bots, also known as spiders, to crawl websites.

A metric developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank on search engines. It ranges from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater authority.

A metric developed by Ahrefs that gauges the authority of a domain based on their backlinks (a metric common for search engines to use in their ranking algorithms). It ranges from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater authority.

Content that appears on more than one webpage, either on the same site or across different sites. Duplicate content can confuse search engines and affect rankings.

A link from your website to another website. External links can provide additional value to users and help search engines understand your site's context.

Content that remains relevant and valuable over a long period of time. It is not tied to current events or trends and provides lasting information.

A summary of an answer to a user's query displayed at the top of Google's search results, often in a box. It aims to provide quick answers to user questions.

The primary keyword that you want a webpage to rank for in search results. It should be relevant to the content and reflect what users are searching for.

A free tool provided by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. It provides insights into user behavior, traffic sources, and conversions.

A free tool provided by Google that helps website owners monitor and maintain their site's presence in Google search results.

HTML tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) used to structure content on a webpage. Header tags help search engines understand the content hierarchy and improve readability.

The standard language used to create webpages. HTML elements form the building blocks of webpages.

The database where search engines store information about webpages. When a page is indexed, it can appear in search results.

A link from one page on your website to another page on the same site. Internal links help with navigation and distribute link equity across the site.

A word or phrase that users enter into search engines to find information. Keywords are central to SEO as they help search engines understand the content of a page.

The percentage of times a keyword appears in the content relative to the total number of words. While important, it should be balanced to avoid keyword stuffing.

The first page a user sees when they arrive on a website from a search engine or an ad. It is often designed for a specific campaign or goal.

A method used by search engines to understand the relationships between words and concepts in content. It helps improve the relevance of search results.

A brief summary of a webpage's content that appears in search results below the title tag. It can influence click-through rates.

The process of ensuring that a website performs well on mobile devices. With the rise of mobile search, it is crucial for SEO.

A type of link that tells search engines not to pass link equity to the linked site. It is often used for paid links and user-generated content.

Critical information for local SEO. Consistency of NAP information across directories and the website helps improve local search rankings.

SEO activities performed outside of your website, primarily focusing on building backlinks and improving online reputation.

SEO practices that involve optimizing individual webpages to improve their rankings. This includes content, HTML tags, and internal linking.

A metric developed by Moz that predicts how well a specific page will rank on search engines. It ranges from 1 to 100.

An online advertising model where advertisers pay each time a user clicks on one of their ads. PPC is a key part of search engine marketing (SEM).

An approach to search engine optimization that involves creating and optimizing a large number of webpages or pieces of content automatically or semi-automatically, typically by using templates and data-driven content generation. Often used for websites with thousands of pages, like e-commerce sites or directories.

Content that is valuable, relevant, and engaging to users. High-quality content is essential for good SEO and user satisfaction.

A word or phrase that a user types into a search engine. Understanding user queries is essential for effective keyword research and content creation.

The position of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs). Higher rankings generally lead to more traffic.

A file on your website that tells search engines which pages they can and cannot crawl. It helps manage crawl budget and protect sensitive information.

Code added to a website to help search engines understand the content. It can enhance search results with rich snippets.

The practice of optimizing a website to improve its visibility and ranking on search engines.

The page displayed by search engines in response to a user's query. It includes organic results, ads, and sometimes rich snippets.

An HTML element that specifies the title of a webpage. It appears in search results as the clickable headline and is crucial for SEO.

The number of visitors to a website (typically measured by month). Traffic can come from various sources, including search engines, social media, and direct visits.

The address of a webpage. SEO-friendly URLs are short, descriptive, and include keywords.

The overall experience of a user when interacting with a website. Good UX is essential for retaining visitors and improving SEO.

A technology that allows users to search the web using voice commands. Optimizing for voice search involves focusing on natural language and question-based queries.

Content that spreads rapidly online through shares and social media. Viral content can drive significant traffic and improve brand visibility.

A set of tools provided by search engines to help webmasters monitor and improve their site's presence in search results. Google Search Console is a key example.

Ethical SEO practices that follow search engine guidelines and focus on providing value to users. White hat SEO aims for long-term success.

A file that lists all the pages on a website, helping search engines crawl and index the site more efficiently.

In the context of SEO, yield refers to the return on investment from SEO efforts. It can be measured in terms of traffic, rankings, and conversions.

Searches where the answer appears directly at the top of the SERP, so the user does not need to click on any result to get the information.