SEO Terms

Sometimes, talking with a SEO specialist can be similar to trying to understand a foreign language. Some of the words you might hear from time to time, like "link building" or "cloaking" might be foreign at first - but don't worry. These words describe simple SEO and search engine marketing processes. To learn about SEO definitions, take a quick minute to  browse through our comprehensive  glossary.

SEO Glossary of Terms

We are continually updating our SEO glossary. Continue to check back for new terms, definitions and concepts.

Authority (adj.): A website is considered to have "authority" with major search engines when it contains multiple pages of content relevant to its overall topic or theme

Blog (noun): When a web site, or a part of a web site is set aside solely for online journaling and writing. The more frequently a blog is updated with relevant links, the more authority it gains with major search engines.

Body Links (noun): Body links are hypertext links strategically placed within the content of a webpage.

Cloaking (verb): Cloaking is an illegal SEO tactic. Cloaking occurs when a webpage shows different content to search engines than to users. Most internet users don't see this "hidden" content. This is a practice that Google deals with severely, and will ban a site for implementing.

Conversions (adj.): A conversion is when a desired action on a web page occurs. For example, if I own a website that sells vitamins, then a conversion would occur when somebody makes an order and completes the checkout process. Conversions for websites vary widely, depending on what the site's goal is. The proper SEO tactics can increase on-site conversions. Conversions can include signing up for an email newsletter, signing a petition, or even entering a sweepstakes.

Doorway Farm (noun): A set of websites/pages that all link to one page; this technique is used to promote the particular page linked to.

Gizmos (noun): Similar to a widget, gizmos are used to draw attention to an unnattractive or undeveloped webpage.

Hub (noun): A single document that links to other documents on the same topic. The "Categories" page in an online directory would be considered a hub.

Landing Page (noun): Content on a webpage that is geared towards the searcher, not the search engines. Landing pages are where you can find most sales pitches.

Link Building (verb): Link building involves writing content, forum/blog involvement, and trading/buying links for the purpose of boosting a site's SEO value. The more inbound links a site has, the more value it has in the eyes of search engines.

Meta Data (noun): Meta information is the data that's used as a secondary source for search engines to classify, index and rank a website.

Navigation Links (noun): The navigation links on a site, also known as "nav", are internal links on a site that allow searchers to jump from one page to another to quickly find what they're looking for.

Search Engine Marketing (noun): SEM, or search engine marketing, is the technique of promoting website/s within the services provided by search engines. This can include PPC (pay per click) and paid listings.

Search Engine Optimization (noun): SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of editing/modifying a website's structure to become more visible to search engines, as well as performing off-page tactics to increase that page's authority with search engines. SEO increases a website's rank on a search engine results page (SERP).

Site Map (noun): Divided into HTML, XML and TXT, a sitemap is a list that allows both users and search engines to quickly view the content included on a website. The sitemap functions like a directory; the HTML site map is primarily for visitors, while the XML and TXT site maps are primarily for search engines.