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- 301 Redirect
- A permanent redirect code that tells search engines and browsers that a webpage has moved to a new URL. 301 redirects are important for preserving SEO authority when pages are updated or reorganized.
- 404 Error
- An HTTP status code indicating that the webpage a user requested could not be found on the server. Frequent 404 errors can negatively impact user experience and crawl budget.
- Algorithm
- A set of rules or instructions that search engines like Google use to rank content. Algorithms are complex and take into account numerous factors, including the relevance of a page to the search query, the quality and authority of the website, and the user’s search history and location.
- Backlink
- A link from one website to another. Backlinks from reputable sites act as “votes of confidence” for your website, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
- Black Hat SEO
- SEO practices that violate search engine guidelines to manipulate rankings. These tactics may provide short-term gains but are risky and can lead to penalties or even removal from search results.
- Bot (Web Crawler, Spider)
- A software program used by search engines to “crawl” the web. Bots follow links on web pages to discover new content and add it to a search engine’s index for potential inclusion in search results.
- Bounce Rate
- The percentage of visitors who land on a website and leave without viewing any other pages or interacting further. A high bounce rate can indicate a poor user experience or content that doesn’t match user expectations.
- Call to Action (CTA)
- A phrase or element on a webpage that encourages visitors to take a specific action, such as “Download Now,” “Learn More,” or “Sign Up Today.”
- Canonical URL (Canonical Tag)
- A link element within a webpage’s HTML that indicates a page’s preferred or authoritative version when multiple pages exist with very similar content. Proper use of canonical URLs helps search engines avoid indexing duplicate content and consolidate ranking signals to the preferred version.
- Content
- The information and experiences presented on a website. This includes text, images, videos, audio, and other formats. High-quality content informs, engages, and provides value to visitors.
- Conversion
- When a website visitor takes a desired action, such as making a purchase, filling out a form, or subscribing to a newsletter.
- Crawling
- The process by which search engines dispatch bots (also known as web crawlers or spiders) to discover new and updated web pages and content.
- Crawl Rate
- The frequency with which search engine bots (like Googlebot) visit a website to discover new or updated pages. The crawl rate is influenced by factors such as:
Crawl Budget: A search engine allocates resources to crawl a given site. Larger, more frequently updated sites tend to have a higher crawl budget.
Site Health: Websites with technical errors or outdated content may be crawled less frequently.
Importance: Sites deemed high quality and valuable to users may have a higher crawl rate.
- Domain Authority (DA)
- A metric developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs). Domain authority scores range from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a stronger ability to rank.
- Dwell Time
- The amount of time a user spends on a webpage after clicking on it from search results. High dwell time may indicate to search engines that the content is relevant and engaging.
- Google Search Console
- A free tool provided by Google that helps site owners monitor and maintain their website’s presence in Google search results. It offers insights into search traffic, keyword rankings, indexing issues, and more.
- Heading Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
- HTML elements used to structure the headings and subheadings within a web page’s content. Proper use of heading tags improves readability and helps search engines understand the content hierarchy.
- Image Alt Text (Alt Tag)
- Text associated with an image on a web page that provides a description of what the image depicts. Alt text is important for accessibility, as screen readers rely on it for visually impaired users, and it can help images rank in image search results.
- Internal Linking
- The practice of linking to other pages within your own website. Internal linking helps users navigate your site, improves the flow of authority between pages, and helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your website’s content.
- Featured Snippet
- A highlighted excerpt of text that appears at the top of search results, aiming to provide a quick answer to the user’s query. Featured snippets are often pulled from content that is well-structured and relevant.
- Indexing
- After a webpage is crawled, search engines organize and store the information in their index. The index is like a massive library where a search engine can quickly find relevant content in response to a user’s query.
- Keyword
- Words or phrases that people type into search engines when looking for information online. Keywords are crucial in SEO for matching content to search intent.
- Keyword Research
- The process of identifying and analyzing people’s search terms to find information online. Good keyword research informs content creation and SEO strategies for achieving higher search rankings.
- Local SEO
- A branch of SEO focused on optimizing a business’s online presence to attract customers in its local area. Tactics include managing Google Business Profile listings, building local citations (name, address, phone), and earning positive reviews.
- Long-Tail Keyword
- Highly specific search phrases that are typically three or more words long. Long-tail keywords have less search volume but often convert better due to matching very specific user intent.
- Meta Description
- An HTML tag that provides a brief summary of a webpage’s content. Search engines often display the meta description in search results to help users decide if a page is relevant to their query.
- Mobile-first Indexing
- Google’s practice of primarily using the mobile version of a website’s content for indexing and ranking. This emphasizes the importance of having a mobile-friendly website for SEO.
- Organic Search Results
- Website listings in search engine results pages (SERPs) that appear due to their relevance to the search query. Organic results are not paid advertisements and are earned through good SEO practices.
- Page Speed
- The amount of time it takes for a webpage to load. Page speed is an important factor in SEO, as slow loading times can lead to poor user experiences and hurt rankings.
- Robots.txt
- A text file located in a website’s root directory that provides instructions to search engine bots about which pages or sections of the site they should and should not crawl.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- The practice of optimizing websites and content to improve their visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) organically (non-paid).
- Search Engine Results Page (SERP)
- The page of results that a search engine returns in response to a user’s query. SERPs typically include a mix of organic results, paid advertisements, and additional features like knowledge panels and image carousels.
- Semantic Relevance
- Measures how closely a piece of content aligns with the meaning behind a user’s search query, going beyond simple keyword matching. Search engines increasingly rely on semantic analysis to understand the context and intent of a search,
- Sitemap
- A file that lists the important pages on a website, providing search engines with an additional way to discover and index content.
- Structured Data (Schema Markup)
- Code added to a webpage’s HTML to provide search engines with more explicit information about the content. Structured data can help generate rich snippets in search results, improving visibility and click-through rates.
- Title Tag
- An HTML element that specifies the title of a webpage. Title tags are displayed in search engine results pages (SERPs), web browser tabs, and when pages are shared on social media.
- Traffic
- Refers to the visitors coming to a website. Various sources can drive traffic, including search engines (organic traffic), paid advertisements, social media referrals, and direct visits.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
- The address of a webpage on the internet. URLs contain a protocol (https://) and a domain name (www.example.com) and may include additional path and parameter information.
- White Hat SEO
- SEO tactics and strategies that align with the guidelines set forth by search engines. White hat SEO focuses on creating valuable content for users and improving website quality rather than manipulative techniques aimed at outsmarting algorithms.