SEO: What is it and Why It’s the Key to Online Success
Find out more about the digital world with this Entry-level guide to SEO.
What is SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing web content to improve its visibility on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. By incorporating keywords, improving user experience, and aligning with search algorithms, SEO helps increase the likelihood of ranking higher in search results — driving more qualified traffic to a site organically.
Why is SEO Important?
Ranking highly on search engines can be the difference between being discovered or being buried. Studies show that over 90% of users never click past the first page of Google results.
(Source: Backlinko, 2023)
Moreover, according to a report by BrightEdge, organic search drives over 53% of all trackable website traffic — more than paid and social combined.
(Source: BrightEdge, 2019)
In short: good SEO means visibility. Visibility means opportunity.
How Google ranks websites
Google’s algorithm is complex, but here’s a simplified breakdown of what it typically does:
1) Scans the Website
Google’s bots “crawl” your website, scanning your content and structure to understand what your site is about.
2) Evaluates the Content
It checks whether the content is relevant, original, and useful to users. Pages with high-quality, user-centric content rank better.
3) Measures Relevance and Quality
Google then ranks pages based on how well they match the user’s search intent, using factors like keyword usage, page speed, mobile-friendliness, and backlinks from reputable sites.
According to Google’s own guidance, they prioritize helpful content that answers a user’s question better than any other page.
(Source: Google Search Central)
The basics of SEO
There are three main types of SEO you’ll often hear about:
1.) On-Page SEO: Optimizing individual pages — e.g., keyword placement, content formatting, internal links.
2.) Off-Page SEO: External efforts like backlinks, press mentions, and brand mentions.
3.) Technical SEO: Site structure, page speed, mobile responsiveness, and indexing efficiency.
Together, these form the foundation of a solid SEO strategy.
Common SEO Mistakes
• The “Too Hard” Mentality: SEO is often misunderstood as overly technical or impossible. In reality, consistent basics go a long way.
• “Big Budget Myth”: You don’t need huge spending to succeed. Strategic, high-value content can outperform big-budget campaigns.
“Stuffing Keywords Helps”: Keyword stuffing not only fails — it can actively harm your rankings. Focus on intent, not repetition.
According to Google, creating content primarily to manipulate rankings violates their guidelines and will lead to lower visibility.
Where to learn more?
You can deepen your SEO knowledge through trusted platforms like:
Or continue exploring this site to build your understanding, one concept at a time.