What Is SEO?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving a website and its content so search engines can understand it and users can discover it through unpaid search results.

The Three Core Areas of SEO

1. On-Page SEO

On-page SEO focuses on elements you control on a page, including the title, headings, content, internal links, URLs, images and search intent alignment.

2. Technical SEO

Technical SEO focuses on the technical foundations that help search engines crawl, render and index a website. Examples include site architecture, mobile usability, page performance, canonicalization and structured data.

3. Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO includes activities outside the website that can contribute to authority and discovery, particularly relevant links, mentions and digital relationships.

What Are Keywords?

Keywords are words or phrases people use when searching. Good SEO does not mean inserting a keyword repeatedly. It means understanding what the searcher is trying to accomplish and creating a page that satisfies that intent.

SEO vs Paid Search

SEO focuses on organic search visibility, while PPC advertising pays for placements. Both can support a broader search strategy, but they work through different mechanisms.

Basic SEO Checklist

  • Match the page to search intent.
  • Write a clear, useful title and heading structure.
  • Create original, helpful content.
  • Use descriptive URLs and image alt text.
  • Build logical internal links.
  • Make the site crawlable, indexable and mobile-friendly.
  • Measure organic performance and improve pages over time.