Definition
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving a website's visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) through organic, non-paid methods. It involves optimizing various elements of a website—including content, structure, technical performance, and user experience—to make it more attractive to search engines like Google. The ultimate goal is to increase the quality and quantity of website traffic by ensuring that the site appears higher in search results for relevant queries.
Common Misconceptions
“SEO is a one-time setup”
SEO is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring, updating, and optimization. Search engine algorithms change frequently, and competitors are constantly improving their SEO efforts.
“More keywords = better rankings”
Keyword stuffing is penalized by search engines. Modern SEO focuses on topic relevance, user intent, and natural language rather than keyword density.
“SEO guarantees specific rankings”
No one can guarantee specific rankings or positions in search results. SEO is about improving visibility and relevance, but search engines ultimately determine rankings based on complex algorithms.
References & Resources
Official Documentation:
Free tools for monitoring search performance and identifying issues: