SEO Glossary
Your comprehensive guide to SEO terminology. Understand the language of search engine optimization and local search marketing.
Core SEO Terms
SEO
Search Engine Optimization - The practice of improving your website's visibility in search engine results pages (like Google) to attract more organic (unpaid) traffic.
SERP
Search Engine Results Page - The page displayed by search engines in response to a user's query. This includes organic results, paid ads, featured snippets, and other elements.
Click Through Rate (CTR)
The percentage of people who click on your link after seeing it in search results. Higher CTR signals to Google that your content is relevant to searchers.
AI
Artificial Intelligence - Computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as understanding language and generating content.
AI SEO
The practice of using artificial intelligence tools to enhance and streamline SEO efforts, including content creation, keyword research, and optimization strategies.
Local SEO
Google Business Profile (GBP)
Formerly Google My Business - A free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. Critical for local SEO success.
NAP
Name, Address, Phone - The three critical pieces of business information that must be consistent across all online listings to build local SEO authority.
Service Area Business (SAB)
A business that serves customers at their location rather than having customers come to them (like plumbers or mobile mechanics). These businesses can hide their address on Google.
Map Pack
The top 3 Google Business Profile listings that appear with the map in local search results. These listings capture 60-70% of all clicks in local searches.
Local Pack
Another term for Map Pack - the three local business listings that appear prominently in Google's local search results.
Citation
Any online mention of your business name, address, and phone number. Consistent citations across the web boost local SEO.
Local Citation
A mention of your business information (NAP) on local directories, review sites, or other websites. Building citations improves local search visibility.
Proximity
How close your business is to the searcher's location or the location mentioned in their search query. One of the top 3 local ranking factors.
Prominence
How well-known your business is online. Reviews, citations, backlinks, and overall online presence contribute to prominence.
Relevance
How well your GBP profile and website content match the searcher's query. Accurate categories and keyword optimization improve relevance.
Link Building
Backlink
A link from another website pointing to your site. These act as 'votes of confidence' and are crucial for building domain authority.
External Link
Same as a backlink - a link from another website to your site. Quality external links significantly boost SEO performance.
Internal Link
Links within your website that connect one page to another. These help users navigate and distribute SEO authority throughout your site.
Anchor Text
The clickable text in a hyperlink. The words used in anchor text help search engines understand what the linked page is about.
Domain Authority
A metric that predicts how well a website will rank on search engines. Higher authority sites tend to rank better.
Technical SEO
Schema Markup
Code added to your website that helps search engines better understand your content. It can result in rich snippets and enhanced search results.
Structured Data
Another term for schema markup - standardized format for providing information about a page and classifying the page content.
Geotag
Location data embedded in images that tells search engines where a photo was taken. Important for local SEO to prove geographic relevance.
Sitemap
An XML file that lists all important pages on your website, helping search engines discover and crawl your content more efficiently.
Robots.txt
A file that tells search engine crawlers which pages or sections of your site they should or shouldn't access.
Content Strategy
E-E-A-T
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness - Google's framework for evaluating content quality. Critical for ranking in competitive niches.
YMYL
Your Money Your Life - Google's classification for websites that could impact a person's health, financial stability, safety, or happiness. These sites face stricter quality standards.
Core 30
A strategic set of 30 essential pages every local business website should have, covering primary services, locations, and key topics to establish topical authority.
Keyword Research
Long-Tail Keywords
Longer, more specific keyword phrases that visitors are more likely to use when they're closer to making a purchase or finding what they need.
Search Intent
The reason behind a user's search query - what they're actually trying to accomplish. Understanding intent is crucial for creating relevant content.
Keyword Difficulty
A metric that estimates how hard it would be to rank for a specific keyword based on competition and authority of currently ranking pages.
Local Intent
When a search query indicates the user is looking for something in a specific geographic area. Triggers map pack results.