SEO Definition: What is Search Engine Optimization?
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SEO Definition: What is Search Engine Optimization?

What is SEO and how it works?


This blog page defines what SEO is in details.



So even as complete beginner with no prior knowledge to what SEO or Search Engine Optimization, this page defines it.


What is SEO?
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

What is SEO?


SEO simply stands for Search [S] Engine [E] Optimization [O].


SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of optimizing or orienting a website, application, video, or online store to improve the quality and quantity of organic search traffic and visibility.


What is Organic traffic?


Organic traffic are website visitors that come from unpaid sources. Unlike paid adverts that send paid traffic, organic traffic are those visitors that come from unpaid sources like search engines or social media posting.


What is Organic search traffic?


Organic search traffic are website visitors that come from unpaid search engine results pages (SERPs). Unlike paid Google ads, organic search depends on pages that rank naturally for search keywords.


What is Google Search Result Pages or SERP?


A search engine result page (SERP) is an entire page in a search result.


The process of search engine optimization involves taking a website, YouTube video, or social media profile to the top of search engine results pages.


SEO Example:


Search "how to loose weight" on Google.



Personal trainers, gym specialists, and weight-loss businesses will optimize their websites in order to rank at the top of search engine results pages like these. This way, their target clients (weight-loss clients) can see and visit to their websites.


Let me use my website as a example:


As a SEO specialist, I write content on "why you should hire a freelance SEO rather than a SEO agency" and then I optimize the page to rank on the first page when users search for that on search engines like Google.


Get the idea?


Why is SEO important now?


Google is the biggest search engine in the world. And with Google, there are billions of searches every single day. At the moment, there are 8.5 billion Google searches per day.


That is a huge market businesses should tap into. And here is why Google or organic search traffic is the best traffic to attract to your website:


Unlike social media advertising, where someone is on social media and brands have to interrupt just to pitch or sell a product or service which is not so pleasant.


With SEO, a user already has a problem (want to lose weight) OR:


  • how to the best shoes to buy (need shoes),

  • best valentine gifts to buy (presents are special).

  • best hotels near me (traveling, need a hotel)

  • seo services near me (have a website, need customers through organic traffic)


Search engine users are more likely ready to purchase a product or service.


They already have a problem that they are aware of and want to solution to.


There are over 8 billion searches on Google every day.


If you can harness and attract just a percent of search engine users to your website, then you can build your business off organic traffic.

SEO Example:


Let us check and see how many people search for "buy men's shoes" on Google.


Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that allows you to do this.


Google keyword Planner
The number of search engine users like you and me who search these keywords (monthly)


There are millions of people searching for keywords related o that each month.

Why is SEO effective?


What are the types of SEO?


SEO has several specialties, but here are the major ones website should focus on:


  • On page SEO,

  • Off page SEO,

  • SEO writing,

  • Technical SEO,

  • Backlinks,

  • Outreach,

  • Guest blogging.


Frequently asked questions (FAQ) around the question, "what is SEO" or "what is search engine optimization":


How do you do SEO as a beginner?

As a beginner, I do not advise to rush into SEO. SEO is a long term game and as a beginner, the best advice I have for you is to keep learning, increase your knowledge, focus on growing your skills as a search engine optimization professional. For a starters, you can pick a specialty in SEO - like SEO blogging, backlink building, Guest post, or, technical SEO.


How do I do SEO for my website?

The first thing I tell my SEO clients is this; when you want to do SEO for a website, you need to be sure if you are skilled enough in SEO or not. If you're not skilled in SEO, focus on building your skills as an SEO by going through resources, learning materials and going through certification courses.


(and subscribe to this website/blog too :).


Want to outsource SEO for your business, website or company?


Outsourcing SEO will save you a lot of time and you can SEO specialists that are experienced.


(Looking for an SEO specialist, feel free to email me and I will get back to you.


What is the main purpose of SEO?

The main purpose of SEO is to rank for target keywords, increase your organic rankings on search engines which basically attracts qualified leads, traffic and customers, and also brand awareness. According to research search engine traffic is more ready to purchase than other marketing platforms.


How do you write SEO content or how do you write SEO blog content?

As an SEO blog writing specialist, I would say the first thing you want to do is to get familiar with blogging, learn about blogging, learn about content creation, learn about writing copywriting, learn about writing content, learn about keyword research, and from there you can begin going into writing content that is perfect for SEO.

Can I learn SEO for free?

Yes, you can lend SEO for free. As there are various certification and free courses online. I recommend the Hootsuite, Semrush free course and certification education programs where you can learn SEO for free. And, read/subscribe to this blog!


How long does it take to learn SEO?

SEO, like I said, is a long term game and there are several online courses that cover the basics. Some cover the advanced learning or the technical learning aspects of SEO. If you can invest (which is absolutely worth it), you can pay for quality online courses and education to really advance your knowledge in search engine optimization. But basically it usually takes several weeks to a few months to get basically fluent in SEO. But if you want to become a professional and advanced SEO specialist or an SEO, then you need to invest at least six to twelve months of trial and error. You need to find companies and even do SEO as a volunteer to gain experience.


What is an example of SEO?

I wrote a blog page on the best Cartflows alternatives and optimized the page for search engines. The page is a few months old and is already on the first page of Google for "Cartflows", "Cartflows Alternatives", Cartflows vs Clickfunnels. You can Google search any of these keywords and look for my website "simonzaku.com" on the first page.


In short terms, what is search engine optimization?

SEO or search engine optimization is the process of finding keywords your target customers or clients are using online and optimizing your website to rank for those keyword using effective on-page and off-page SEO strategies.


How long does it take to rank on Google?

SEO experts and guru say it take weeks, months, and years to rank on Google but what this video I posted on my YouTube channel showing a blog post that started ranking within 7 days of publishing. You can also watch the video here:




SEO Definition What is Search Engine Optimization
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