Navigating the SEO Jungle: A Guide to Basic SEO Vocabulary

In the vast and ever-evolving realm of digital marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) stands as a great strategy for boosting online visibility. SEO encompasses a multitude of techniques and strategies so understanding its language is crucial for success in this field. In this blog post, Simplified SEO Consulting will be your guide through the jungle of SEO vocabulary. Now let’s break down key terms and concepts to empower you in your SEO journey!

The Basics of SEO Terminology

Search Engine: Online platform that allows users to search for information on the internet. These search engines are designed to index, crawl, and retrieve web pages and other types of content from websites across the internet. For example:

• Google
• DuckDuckGo
• Yahoo
• Bing

Search Engine Results Page (SERP): Refers to the page that a search engine displays to a user after they enter what they’re searching for

Keyword Research: The process of finding and analyzing terms that people use when searching for information related to your business or services

Ranking: The position at which a particular web page appears in the search engine results pages (SERPs)

Keyword: The main word you are focusing on related to your practice, law firm, or services

On-Page SEO Vocabulary

Title Tag: Displayed as the clickable link in search engine results pages (SERPs)

Meta Description: Brief summary of a web page or blog that appears on the SERP below the title tag

Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.): Used to structure & organize the content on a webpage and indicate the hierarchy of information

H1: Essentially the title of your page

H2-H3: Subheadings to support your content

P: Text content

Content: The textual, visual, or multimedia elements that make up the information on a web page

Keyword Density: The number of times your keyword is found in your content

Internal and External Links: Content should include internal links to other relevant pages or blogs on the same website and external links to authoritative sources for additional information

Readability: Content should be easy to read and understand. Clear headings, short paragraphs, bullet points, and a logical structure improve readability

Off-Page SEO Vocabulary

Backlink: When your website is linked to another website (directories, resource list, podcasts)

Nofollow: Hyperlink attribute that is used to tell search engines not to follow or crawl the linked webpage

Dofollow: Hyperlinks that allow search engine crawlers to follow and index the linked web page

Technical SEO Vocabulary

Crawling and Indexing: Web crawlers scan and catalog web pages. It involves analyzing the content, keywords, links, and other elements of each webpage

Page Speed: The amount of time it takes for a web page to load and become fully functional for a user when they visit a website

Mobile Optimization: Ensuring it displays and functions correctly on smaller screens (phones, tablets, etc.)

Local SEO Vocabulary

Local SEO: Anything you do to help Google better understand where your business is located or is relevant so you show up more often in local search results

NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number): Basic business information like hours, locations, addresses, etc. that must be consistent and accurate across various online platforms, directories, and websites

Google My Business (GMB): A powerful tool for local businesses looking to enhance their online presence and improve their visibility search results near their location

SEO Metrics and Analytics Vocabulary

Organic Traffic: The position of a webpage in the unpaid, natural search results of a search engine

Click-Through Rate (CTR): Percentage of users who click on a specific link or search result in relation to the number of total users who view that link or result

Learn More SEO Vocabulary with Simplified SEO Consulting Today!

Mastering SEO vocabulary is the first step towards unlocking the full potential of your SEO journey! As you navigate through the ever-changing landscape of SEO, these essential terms and concepts will serve as your compass. Let Simplified SEO Consulting guide you towards higher rankings, increased organic traffic, and online success. Our SEO Specialists are here to work with you to reach your ideal clients. We make it easy for you!

1. Schedule a free consultation!
2. Learn more about our team and the packages we offer.
3. Watch your practice thrive.

Other Services Simplified SEO Offers:

Are you ready to take the next step? Enroll in our Small Group SEO Intensive now and start preparing your website for optimization! If you’re interested in private instruction, check out our 12-Week SEO Intensive Training Program. Don’t have the time or expertise? Our team of expert SEO specialists can do it for you. Read more about our Done-For-You program

 here!

About the Author

Olivia Ferguson graduated from Central Michigan University with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. With a prior history in crime victim advocacy, this brought her great knowledge of the legal justice system and the mental health profession. Connecting those tools together, her goal is to help individuals reach their ideal clients by improving their online presence and rankings with SEO.