A comprehensive dictionary of 50+ essential SEO terms and concepts, explained in plain language. Whether you are just starting with SEO or need a quick refresher, this glossary has you covered.
A permanent redirect from one URL to another. Passes approximately 90-99% of link equity (ranking power) to the redirected page. Use when a page has permanently moved to a new URL.
An HTTP status code meaning the requested page was not found. Too many 404 errors can harm user experience and waste crawl budget. Fix them by redirecting to relevant pages or restoring the content.
The complex mathematical formula search engines use to rank web pages. Google's algorithm uses 200+ ranking factors including content quality, backlinks, user experience, and technical health.
Alternative text added to images that describes what the image shows. Helps search engines understand image content (since they can't 'see' images) and improves accessibility for screen readers.
The visible, clickable text of a hyperlink. Descriptive anchor text helps search engines understand the topic of the linked page. Example: in 'learn about on-page SEO,' the anchor text is 'on-page SEO.'
A link from another website pointing to your website. Backlinks act as 'votes of confidence' and are one of the top 3 ranking factors. Quality and relevance matter more than quantity.
Unethical SEO techniques that violate search engine guidelines, such as buying links, keyword stuffing, cloaking, and using private blog networks. Can result in severe penalties or removal from search results.
The percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate may indicate poor content quality, slow loading, or misleading search snippets.
A navigational aid showing the user's location within a website hierarchy (e.g., Home > Blog > SEO Guide). Helps both users and search engines understand site structure.
An HTML element (rel='canonical') that tells search engines which version of a page is the 'master' copy when duplicate or similar content exists across multiple URLs.
The percentage of people who click on your search result after seeing it. Calculated as clicks ÷ impressions × 100. Higher CTR indicates your title and meta description are compelling.
A marketing strategy focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant content to attract and retain a target audience. Blog posts, guides, videos, and infographics are common content marketing formats.
A set of Google metrics measuring real-world user experience: LCP (loading speed), CLS (visual stability), and INP (interactivity). An official ranking factor since 2021.
The number of pages search engines will crawl on your site within a given timeframe. Large sites need to optimize crawl budget to ensure important pages get discovered and indexed.
Automated programs used by search engines to discover and scan web pages. Googlebot is Google's crawler. It follows links from page to page, reading content and building Google's index.
A Core Web Vital measuring visual stability. It quantifies how much page content shifts during loading. A CLS score under 0.1 is considered good. Caused by images without dimensions, dynamic ads, and web fonts.
A metric (0-100) developed by Moz predicting how well a website will rank. Higher DA generally correlates with better rankings. Built over time through quality content and backlinks.
Substantially similar content appearing on multiple URLs. Can confuse search engines about which version to rank, diluting ranking signals. Use canonical tags to specify the preferred version.
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google's quality guidelines emphasize these factors when evaluating content, especially for health, finance, and legal topics (YMYL).
A special search result that appears at the top of Google (position 0) in a box, directly answering the user's query. Formats include paragraphs, lists, tables, and videos.
A free tool from Google that lets businesses manage their online presence across Google Search and Maps. Essential for local SEO. Formerly called Google My Business (GMB).
A free Google tool that helps website owners monitor and troubleshoot their site's presence in search results. Shows search queries, click data, indexing issues, and Core Web Vitals.
HTML elements used to define headings and subheadings in content. H1 is the main page title (use only once), H2 for major sections, H3 for subsections. Proper hierarchy helps search engines understand content structure.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure — the encrypted version of HTTP. A Google ranking signal since 2014. Protects data in transit between the user's browser and your server. Requires an SSL/TLS certificate.
The number of times your page appears in search results, regardless of whether it was clicked. Tracked in Google Search Console. High impressions with low clicks indicate room to improve CTR.
Google's database of all web pages it has discovered and processed. When a page is 'indexed,' it can appear in search results. Use Google Search Console to check if your pages are indexed.
A link from one page on your website to another page on the same website. Internal links distribute page authority, help users navigate, and help search engines discover and understand your content.
When multiple pages on the same website target the same keyword, causing them to compete against each other in search results. This dilutes ranking signals and confuses search engines.
The percentage of times a keyword appears in your content relative to the total word count. A density of 1-2% is generally recommended. Excessive density (keyword stuffing) can trigger penalties.
A metric (0-100) estimating how hard it will be to rank on page 1 for a specific keyword. Factors include the authority of currently ranking pages, content quality, and backlink profiles of competitors.
A Core Web Vital measuring how long it takes for the largest visible element to load. An LCP of 2.5 seconds or less is considered good. Affected by server response time, image sizes, and render-blocking resources.
The process of acquiring backlinks from other websites to improve your search engine rankings. Ethical techniques include guest posting, creating link-worthy content, broken link building, and digital PR.
A specific, multi-word search phrase with lower search volume but higher conversion intent. Example: 'best waterproof hiking boots for wide feet' vs. 'hiking boots.' Easier to rank for and attracts more qualified traffic.
An HTML attribute providing a brief summary of a page's content. Appears below the title in search results. Not a direct ranking factor, but significantly impacts click-through rate. Keep under 160 characters.
Google's approach of using the mobile version of a website for indexing and ranking. If your site doesn't work well on mobile, your desktop rankings will also suffer.
Name, Address, Phone Number. In local SEO, consistent NAP information across all online listings is crucial for ranking in the local map pack.
A link attribute (rel='nofollow') that tells search engines not to pass ranking authority through the link. Used for paid links, user-generated content, and untrusted sources.
Visitors who arrive at your website through unpaid (organic) search results, as opposed to paid ads, social media, or direct visits. The primary goal of SEO is to increase organic traffic.
A score predicting how well a specific page will rank. Similar to Domain Authority but measured at the page level. Influenced by backlinks pointing to that specific page.
Google's original algorithm that evaluated pages based on the quantity and quality of links pointing to them. While the specific algorithm has evolved, link-based ranking signals remain foundational to Google Search.
A text file in your website's root directory that tells search engine crawlers which pages they can and cannot access. Used to manage crawl budget and prevent indexing of private or duplicate pages.
A structured data vocabulary (from Schema.org) added to HTML to help search engines understand content better. Can generate rich results like star ratings, FAQ dropdowns, recipe cards, and event listings.
The purpose behind a user's search query. Four types: informational (learning), navigational (finding a site), transactional (buying), and commercial (comparing options). Matching intent is crucial for ranking.
Search Engine Results Page — the page of results displayed after a search query. Features organic results, paid ads, featured snippets, knowledge panels, and local map packs.
A file that lists all important pages on your website to help search engines discover and index them. Submit to Google Search Console to speed up indexation of new and updated content.
A digital certificate that encrypts data between a web server and browser, enabling HTTPS. Required for security, user trust, and SEO ranking. Free certificates available from Let's Encrypt.
An HTML element specifying the title of a web page. Appears as the clickable headline in search results and in the browser tab. The most important on-page SEO element. Keep under 60 characters.
The overall experience a visitor has on your website, including navigation ease, page speed, visual design, and content accessibility. Google increasingly uses UX signals as ranking factors.
Ethical SEO practices that follow search engine guidelines. Includes creating quality content, earning natural backlinks, proper on-page optimization, and technical SEO improvements.
Your Money or Your Life — Google's classification for pages that could impact a person's health, finances, safety, or well-being. YMYL pages are held to higher quality standards (E-E-A-T).
Now that you understand the terminology, run a free SEO audit to see these concepts in action on your own website.