SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” In simple terms, SEO means the process of improving your website to increase its visibility in Google, Microsoft Bing, and other search engines whenever people search for:
The better visibility your pages have in search results, the more likely you are to be found and clicked on. Ultimately, the goal of search engine optimization is to help attract website visitors who will become customers, clients or an audience that keeps coming back.
- Products you sell.
- Services you provide.
- Information on topics in which you have deep expertise and/or experience.
How is SEO different from SEM and PPC?
SEM and PPC are two other common terms you will read about a lot here on Search Engine Land and hear about in the larger search marketing community. Read on to learn more about both of these terms and how they’re related to SEO.
PPC stands for pay-per-click – a type of digital marketing where advertisers are charged whenever one of their ads gets clicked on. Basically, advertisers bid on specific keywords or phrases that they want their ads to appear for in the search engine results. When a user searches for one of those keywords or phrases, the advertiser’s ad will appear among the top results.
"SEO is the digital compass guiding your content through the vast wilderness of the internet, leading it straight to the doorstep of those seeking its wisdom."
Raims
SEO vs. PPC
So again, if we think of search marketing as a coin, SEO and PPC are two sides of the same coin – SEO is the unpaid side, PPC is the paid side. Another key point: it’s important never to think of it as “SEO vs. PPC” (i.e., which one is better) because these are complementary channels. It’s not an either-or question – always choose both (as long as your budget allows it). As we mentioned before, the terms SEM and PPC are used within the industry interchangeably. However, that isn’t the case here on Search Engine Land. Whenever we mention “SEM,” it will be because we’re referring to both SEO (organic search) and PPC (paid search).
