If you’re stepping into the world of digital marketing, understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential. But let’s face it—SEO comes with a language of its own. From keywords to crawlers, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you learn the top 10 SEO terms every beginner should know.
Master these terms, and you’ll have a solid foundation to build your SEO knowledge and strategy.
1. Keyword
A keyword is a word or phrase people type into search engines to find information. In SEO, keywords are the terms you want your content to rank for.
Example: If you’re writing a blog on baking cakes, “how to bake a cake” is a keyword you’d target.
2. SERP (Search Engine Results Page)
SERP refers to the page you see after entering a query into Google or any other search engine. It includes organic results, paid ads, featured snippets, and more.
Goal of SEO: Appear at the top of the SERP.
3. Backlink
A backlink is a link from one website to another. Search engines see backlinks as a vote of confidence, meaning the more high-quality backlinks you have, the better your chances of ranking higher.
Tip: Focus on earning backlinks from reputable and relevant websites.
4. On-Page SEO
On-Page SEO involves optimizing elements within your website like content, title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and internal links to improve rankings.
It’s all about what you control directly on your site.
5. Off-Page SEO
Off-Page SEO refers to external factors that influence your website’s ranking, such as backlinks, social shares, and brand mentions.
Think of it as your website’s reputation across the internet.
6. Meta Description
A meta description is the short summary of a page shown in search engine results, just below the title. While not a ranking factor directly, it influences click-through rate (CTR).
Best Practice: Keep it under 160 characters and include your main keyword.
7. Alt Text (Alternative Text)
Alt text is used in HTML code to describe images. It helps search engines understand the image content and improves accessibility.
Bonus: Proper alt text can help your images rank in Google Image Search.
8. Crawling and Indexing
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Crawling is when search engine bots scan your website to understand its content.
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Indexing is when that content is stored in the search engine’s database and made available for search queries.
If your site isn’t indexed, it won’t appear in search results.
9. Domain Authority (DA)
Domain Authority is a score (from 0 to 100) that predicts how well a website will rank on search engines. It’s based on backlinks, quality content, and overall trust.
Higher DA = Better ranking potential.
10. Bounce Rate
Bounce Rate is the percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate may indicate that your content isn’t engaging or relevant.
Aim: Keep users engaged with good content, internal links, and strong CTAs (Calls to Action).
🎓 Final Thoughts
Learning SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding these key terms, you’re already ahead of many beginners. As you continue to explore digital marketing, these foundational concepts will help you strategize, analyze, and grow your online presence more effectively.
✅ Pro Tip for Beginners:
Start by applying on-page SEO techniques on your blog or website. Use tools like Google Search Console, Ubersuggest, or Yoast SEO (for WordPress) to practice and track your progress.