subject: Seo Jargon Buster [print this page] The world of SEO is rife with brand new ideas and concepts that have been made possible by the digital age's constantly developing technology. With exciting implementations that the likes of Google have put into action, a whole world of 'jargon' has been created because of these new ideas, making the SEO industry a tricky one to get your tongue around. Here is a helpful list of the most common pieces of Jargon you may come across in the world of SEO:
Algorithm-This is essentially a 'set of rules', usually folowed by a machine or computer software to make calculations. In relation to SEO, Google has its own algorithm that works to process elements of its function such as the way it ranks pages.
Analytics- This is a tool that helps assess and 'analyse' a given site and collect data such as usage, important for learning about a site's optimisation requirements.
Anchor Text- A common phrase in SEO content writing, the anchor text is a linked keyword in online text that is valued by Google in relevance.
Back Link- a back link is simply a link back to a site from another site. The more valuable the site, the stronger the backlink.
Bounce Rate- This is one of many aspects a search engine takes into consideration when valuing a site, if a site has a large bounce rate, that means users quickly leave the site without exploring, often for reasons concerning inadequacy and/ or quality.
Crawler- this is a program used to assess sites as it navigates them, gathering data for a search engine to use.
Duplicate Content- a phrase used to describe pieces of online text that are identical (or very similar), which could potentially devalue a site as a search engine assess quality in original content.
Keyword- this is the criteria that a user gives a search engine. A site will have to adhere to these keywords if it aims to be found by these users.
Keyword stuffing- an unethical SEO practice by which a site owner crams a site with relevant words in an attempt to make a page rank higher.
keyword research- the process of determining the kind of words a user uses in order to find a particular site.Link Building- the process of creating incoming links to a site.
Meta description- a brief description about a page that does not directly affect page ranking, but is seen by the user when results are displayed in Google listings.
Organic- referring to 'natural' means of optimisation. An organic link is one that is made through unpaid or unplanned means.
Pagerank- this is the part of the Google algorithm that assigned a page with a value which is then used to order the listings. Named after its creator, Larry Page.
Spam- Unethical and non-organic content or interaction, often in the form of comments that can be used in an attempt to create backlinks.
White Hat- the ethical practice of SEO without attempting to trick or manipulate search engines.
