What is SEO? A Refresher of Search Engine Terms

Are your search engine skills up to par? Do you feel the need for a little refresher on what's going on in the realm of SEO and the like? Let's start with the definitions of SEO and SEM as well as 8 other search engine marketing terms that should help do the trick! We'll also link to some helpful blogs that can further break things down. 

Search Engine Terms: What is SEO?

1. Search Engines: a system designed to make searching the web easier. The searcher types in a query and this results in a page is full of various relevant media types (text, imagery, video, etc.). Popular examples include Google, Bing and Yahoo.

2. Algorithm: the procedures or formulas that establish computer programs. Examples = search engines use algorithms to find the right results for a search query. An image editing program would use an algorithm to process the image’s data. Read: Google Algorithm Update - Mobile Search

3. Bing: the search engine developed by Microsoft. It provides a basic web search, as well as a more focused search around categories such as images, shopping, news, maps, etc. Read: Why Use Bing Ads: Adding to Your Advertising Aptitude

4. PageRank: Google’s ranking software that determines how relevant a web page is based on a search query. It calculates both the number of incoming links and the quality of these links.

5. SEO: “Search Engine Optimization” - the process of getting on the results page from a search query through free/organic means. This includes producing quality content and incorporating long-tail keywords in effective ways. Read: What to Know About SEO for Your Website Redesign - Includes Free eBook

6. Black Hat SEO: more aggressive methods of optimization that focus on taking advantage of the more technical side of searching rather than focusing on user behavior. This goes against what SEO is intended to do and can cause your site to be penalized. Examples = keyword stuffing, invisible text, doorway pages. 

7. Keyword: a word or phrase which has been identified as the one that people would use when searching for that subject matter in the search query. There are ways to optimize keywords such as through SEO. Example: web design company minneapolis. Read: Your Key to Marketing Campaign Success - Understanding Updates to Keywords

8. Keyword Stuffing: the method of filling a web page with numerous keywords in order to rank higher on a search results page. Doing this make the words appear unnatural since they aren’t necessarily appropriate in the phrase when overused. This is considered an ineffective SEO tactic and Google now punishes a website through lowering their ranking if the algorithm detects this practice. Read about keyword stuffing in: Modern Keyword Strategy - A Guide

9. Long-Tail Keywords: phrases, usually three to four words, that are most pertinent to what is being sold. These are identified by analyzing what a searcher might type in their search query if they were looking for a specific product or service. Read about incorporating keywords into content naturally with: Blogging & SEO Best Practices

10. Local Search: using geographic areas as a factor in search engine results so that the product or service comes from a certain location in regards to the user. Read about other factors in more personalized searches with: The "Silent Hand" of SEO

If questions come up with any of these, give us a call or chat with us on ArcStone's site. We'd be happy to define things further or connect you with more resources.