Why Knowing SEO Terms Is Important
Have you ever tried to fix something around the house but didn’t know the tools’ names? Learning SEO is a bit like that. To get good at improving your website so people can find it on Google, you need to know the names of the “tools” and how they work. That’s what SEO terms are—tools for making your website better.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand Ten Important terms in SEO. You’ll feel more confident talking about and using SEO for your site.
If you are new to SEO – Be sure to read our article on SEO Basics
1 Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
What It Is
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the improvement of your website to ensure it appears higher in search engine results. When people type something into Google, SEO helps your site be one of the first links they see.
Why It Matters
SEO helps your website rank higher in search results. For a deeper dive into what SEO is and why it matters, check out our detailed guide: What is SEO and Why Does it Matter for Your Website?
Example
Imagine you own a website about baking. If someone searches “how to bake a chocolate cake,” and your site is optimized with SEO, your page could appear at the top of Google results.
2 Keywords
What They Are
Keywords are the words or phrases people type into search engines. Think of them as clues that tell Google what your page is about.
Why They Matter
Using the right keywords on your website makes it easier for search engines to match your site with what people are searching for.
Example
If you’re selling handmade candles, good keywords might be “eco-friendly candles” or “handmade scented candles.”
Pro Tip
Not sure where to start with keywords? Our guide on The Beginner’s Guide to Keyword Research explains how to find the right ones for your website.
3 Backlinks
What They Are
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website. They’re like online recommendations.
Why They Matter
Backlinks are a key part of off-page SEO. To learn how search engines evaluate backlinks, head over to How Search Engines Work: An Intro to Crawling, Indexing, and Ranking.
Example
If a popular blog about gardening links to your plant shop’s website, that’s a backlink.
Pro Tip
Focus on earning backlinks from respected websites in your niche.
4 Meta Tags
What They Are
Meta tags are short pieces of information in your website’s code. They help search engines and people understand what your page is about.
Types of Meta Tags
- Meta Title: The title of your page that shows up in search results.
- Meta Description: A summary below the title.
Example
If your page is about yoga, the meta title could be “Beginner Yoga Poses,” the description might say, “Learn the top 10 yoga poses for beginners to improve flexibility and strength.”
Pro Tip
Wondering how to craft meta tags that attract clicks? Check out the on-page vs. off-page SEO comparison in our article On-Page SEO vs. Off-Page SEO: What’s the Difference?
5 Alt Text
What It Is
Alt text is a description you add to your images so search engines know what they show.
Why It Matters
Alt text improves your on-page SEO, which we explore further in On-Page SEO vs. Off-Page SEO: What’s the Difference?
Example
For an image of a sunflower, the alt text might say, “Bright yellow sunflower in a garden.”
Pro Tip
Always describe the image in a way that makes sense to a person.
6 SERP (Search Engine Results Page)
What It Is
SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page. It’s the page you see after you type something into Google.
Why It Matters
Understanding SERPs helps you know where your website is ranking and how to improve it.
Example
When you search “best pizza in New York,” the SERP shows restaurant websites, maps, and reviews.
Pro Tip
Want to understand how to track your SERP performance? Don’t miss Introduction to SEO Metrics: Tracking Your Website’s Performance.
7 On-Page SEO
What It Is
On-page SEO refers to everything you can do on your website to make it rank higher, like using keywords, writing good content, and organizing your pages well.
Why It Matters
It’s one of the easiest ways to control how search engines see your website.
Example
Including the keyword “budget travel tips” in your article about cheap vacations is an on-page SEO strategy. Learn more strategies for improving your on-page SEO in our Beginner’s Guide to Keyword Research.
Pro Tip
Use headings (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content for better readability and SEO.
8 Off-Page SEO
What It Is
Off-page SEO happens outside of your website. It includes things like backlinks and social media activity.
Why It Matters
Search engines trust your website more if other websites talk about or link to it. Off-page SEO includes backlinks, which we explain in depth in 7 SEO Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid.
Example
Writing a guest post for another website and linking it back to your website is off-page SEO.
9 Anchor Text
What It Is
Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink.
Why It Matters
Search engines use anchor text to understand what the linked page is about.
Example
In the phrase “Learn more about SEO,” the words “Learn more about SEO” are the anchor text.
Pro Tip
Anchor text is a key part of link-building. Use descriptive anchor text instead of generic phrases like “click here.”
10 Crawlability
What It Is
Crawlability refers to how easily search engines can explore your website.
Why It Matters
If search engines can’t crawl your website, you’ll struggle to rank. For more on how search engines crawl and index your pages, see How Search Engines Work: An Intro to Crawling, Indexing, and Ranking.
Example
Using a robots.txt file, you can tell search engines which pages to crawl or ignore.
Why These Terms Matter for Beginners
SEO is the foundation of getting found online. By learning these terms, you’re better equipped to create content and make decisions that will help your site succeed.
FAQs
What is SEO and how does it work?
SEO helps websites rank higher by using strategies like keyword optimization and backlinks. For a beginner-friendly overview, read What is SEO and Why Does it Matter for Your Website?.
How to use SEO for beginners?
Start with keyword research, write helpful content, and use on-page SEO techniques like adding alt text and meta descriptions.
What is an example of SEO?
Using the keyword “best running shoes” in an article about running shoes is an example of SEO. Explore more about SEO examples in our Beginner’s Guide to Keyword Research.
What is SEO in social media?
Social media doesn’t directly affect SEO rankings, but sharing links to your website can drive traffic and earn backlinks. Learn more about off-page SEO strategies in On-Page SEO vs. Off-Page SEO: What’s the Difference?.
Conclusion
Understanding these Ten SEO terms gives you the foundation to explore more complex SEO topics. If you’re ready to go deeper, start with How Search Engines Work: An Intro to Crawling, Indexing, and Ranking.