What Does SEO Stand for?

The acronym SEO is most commonly known for the words Search Engine Optimization. This sounds very technical, so what does it all mean? Most of us go on to Google every day and search for something. Whether it is a product or service we desire, news, people, or just general inquiries, Google is the most commonly used and searched platform in the world. There are other sites such as Yahoo, MSN, Altavista, and Ask Jeeves just to name a few that we occasionally use; these are considered search engines as well. For those of you who are new to this planet, out of touch with technology, or have been living with a tribe deep in the Amazon for the last 15 years, allow me to explain what a search engine actually is. According to my MAC dictionary widget (provided by dictionary.com), a search engine is a program for the retrieval of data from a database or network, especially the Internet. In laymen terms, you type in the search bar what you want to find, and the search engine does its best job at helping you find it.
Now that we have established the basics of what a search engine is, let’s figure out what optimization means. Optimization is a term to describe a way or process in which you are trying to get the best out of something, or to achieve the best results possible. According to dictionary.com optimization is defined as “making the best of anything.” To better understand this term, let’s use it in more commonly used context. For example, if you want to optimize your workout, this would mean you are getting the most out of the time you spent to work out, the equipment used, the space provided, etc.
We know what a search engine is, and we know what optimization is, but what is search engine optimization. If you have been paying attention, you probably have already put two and two together. Based on the explanation of both terms, search engine optimization would be getting the most out of a search engine.
What do we mean by getting the most out of? Good question. By this, we mean strategically coming up with ways so that when people inquire about something, your results are the most easily accessible. This can happen in a variety of ways. Your results can be seen in both paid and organic search results. The paid search results are the ones identified by “sponsored links” and the organic search results are the results below them; organic is the most used type of search inquiry. The objective of SEO is so that your results are at the top, simply put. When your results are at the top, you get more visibility, which leads to more traffic to your website, which then can lead to whatever your goal is when people reach your site. Whether it is just to read or view content, make a purchase, or be interactive; SEO can make all of these things possible
Now the next time you hear someone ask “What does SEO stand for?” you can explain to them what it stands for, what it means, and how it works. If you are in need of assistance with SEO, need further information, or just have a general question to ask; you know where to reach us and we would be happy to assist you.