We believe that showing is better than telling. So let's start with that.
Let's do a quick experiment to show you SEO in action.
1. Go to Google Search
2. Type in the keyword superactionhero seo
3. Click on the first organic search result you see.
Did you perform the search?
We'll assume you did, but if you didn't, you can click on this one to get it right. If this is what you saw, keep reading.
You've seen SEO in action, but what is it?
To be frank, my example was the most basic example of search engine optimization. And to be honest, by you searching for superactionhero seo on Google you have helped my website authority. Having users search for your site, and also having other websites and social posts linking to your website will also be an important factor for helping your rank positioning. And even though Google should show your website as the first link when someone searches for you, especially by name, they don't always do (not unless you've done the proper SEO). Case in point, yesterday my site did not show up at the top. In fact, it wasn't even visible on the first page and you just couldn't find it at all, anywhere. With a little SEO done right, we changed all that in one day.
Let's start by explaining what SEO is NOT.
See the four search engine listings above our listing? Notice how they all have the little word "Ad" in front of their URL's?
The search engine listings with "Ad" in front of them are examples of Search Engine Marketing (SEM), or Pay-Per-Click Advertising, but it should not be confused with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). That "M" and that "O" (as in SEM and SEO) are two distinct designations - The "M" stands for marketing (pay-per-click), and the "O" stands for optimization (an organic listing that Google displays free of charge). Once you scroll past all of the paid results (and maybe from Google Local Business Listings, and Shopping, and so forth), you'll finally get to what Google deems that most authoritative result for your search - the number 1, page 1 organic results (a.k.a. The Holy Grail of SEO).
Ok, I know what you're thinking, "It's easy to show up on page 1 when someone is searching for my exact company name". Don't worry, we're going to give you a bunch of SEO tips on how you can increase SERPs (Search Engine Rank Position) for other keywords in future blog posts.
The definition of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The word, search engine optimization, is a noun (it's a thing). The Dictionary defines it as the process of maximizing the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine. They go on to say, "the key to getting more traffic lies in integrating content with search engine optimization and social media marketing.
Let's break it on down.
What is a search engine?
A search engine is a program that searches for and identifies items in a database that correspond to keywords that users are searching. Search engines are particularly useful for finding relevant websites related to the keywords being searched. Google, Bing and Yahoo! are the most popular search engines on the World Wide Web.
What is optimization?
Optimization is the action of making the best or most effective use of a situation
Let's put it back together, and connect that S.E.O.
In order for users (like you and I) to find exactly what we want on the World Wide Web, a symbiotic relationship must happen between search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) and online businesses (your website, other websites that link to you, and social channels). Online businesses must provide great content and also optimize that content in a way that search engines can recognize it. And it's not only about using special coding and structuring your data for search engine robots. Real people are inspecting your website, and all of your competitors websites and judging your content. Companies like Google employ humans to evaluate and score websites on a lengthy list of criteria, all for the good of their users, and all designed to bring websites with the highest page quality to the top. Google works tirelessly to provide their users with the best experience possible - the most relevant content related to a users search. It's the age old battle of survival of the fittest at work. And believe me, it's a lot of work. Can you imagine the amount of spam that Google is actually protecting us from?
As of today, January 3, 2022, there are approximately 1.18 billion websites in the World (I searched How many websites are there in the World). With so many websites, isn't it amazing that Google brought me to that page with one click? I guarantee that particular webpage is search engine optimized.
If you have questions about search engine optimization for your website, reach out below.