If you’re a business owner or part of a marketing team, you may be considering investing in SEO content writing to grow your brand. But when you dive into articles, webinars, or even just chats with SEO experts, the buzzwords come at you fast: meta descriptions, keyword density, backlinking, SERPs, anchor text, schema markup—and the list keeps going. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and maybe even a little frustrated. After all, SEO isn’t your full-time job, and you have a business to run. We get it; navigating the SEO landscape can feel like learning a whole new language.

At ser, we’ve spent over seven years mastering the SEO world. Our team constantly advances its skills in marketing, SEO, and Google strategies to stay ahead of the latest changes, ensuring that the content we create works not only today but is set up for long-term success. We’re passionate about making SEO approachable, understanding that when businesses truly understand these terms, they can make informed decisions that elevate their brand and help them reach their goals.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common (and confusing) SEO terms in plain language. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of SEO basics and be able to pinpoint which aspects might work best for your business goals.

 

Breaking Down Common SEO Terms

 

 

Let’s take a look at some of the most common SEO terms you might hear about while you’re trying to grow your brand.

 

Meta Descriptions

A meta description is the short blurb under a link on a search engine results page (SERP). Think of it as a quick summary of what the page is about. When done right, meta descriptions encourage people to click on your link, making it a mini-ad for your page.

 

Keyword Density

Keyword density is how often a particular keyword shows up on a page compared to the total word count. It’s important because search engines look at keyword use to understand what your page is about. However, stuffing keywords into your content can backfire, as it can feel forced and may even get you penalized by search engines.

 

Backlinking

A backlink is simply a link from another website that points to your site. Think of it as a vote of confidence. If reputable websites link back to your content, it tells search engines that your site is trustworthy and worth recommending to others.

 

SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages)

SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page—the page you see after you type a question or keyword into Google. Ranking high on SERPs is the goal because higher placement generally means more visibility and more clicks.

 

Anchor Text

Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. When you see a link with words like “click here” or “learn more,” that’s the anchor text. Using descriptive anchor text (like “SEO guide” instead of “click here”) helps search engines understand what the linked page is about, and it’s more helpful to readers too.

 

Schema Markup

Schema markup is code you add to your website to help search engines understand your content. It’s like giving search engines extra clues about your site. This can improve the way your page appears in search results by adding extra details like ratings, reviews, or event dates.

 

 

What other SEO content terms should you know?

Aside from the above, there are also a couple of other terms you need to know.

 

Article Writing

Article writing focuses on producing informative, engaging pieces that cover topics in depth, usually on blogs or websites.

• Benefit for Your Business: Articles drive traffic by establishing authority and providing helpful information that keeps readers coming back.
• Example Use: A wellness clinic might publish articles on mental health tips or healthy lifestyle practices to attract clients and establish credibility.

 

SEO Copywriting

SEO copywriting blends persuasive writing with SEO techniques to create content that ranks well and captures attention.

• Benefit for Your Business: This approach not only improves visibility but also engages and converts readers by providing valuable information.
• Example Use: An online retailer could use SEO copywriting to improve product descriptions, increasing search visibility and boosting sales.

 

SEO Content Writer

An SEO content writer combines writing skills with SEO knowledge to create optimized content that ranks well on search engines.

• Benefit for Your Business: An SEO content writer ensures your content is both readable and optimized, helping you attract new audiences.
• Example Use: A real estate company looking to capture buyers and sellers might work with an SEO content writer to create blog posts on market trends.

 

Blog Writing Service

A blog writing service creates regular blog posts tailored to your brand’s goals and audience, covering topics that engage and inform.

• Benefit for Your Business: Consistent blogging builds your brand’s authority and improves SEO, bringing in steady organic traffic.
• Example Use: A digital marketing agency might use a blog writing service to post weekly updates on social media trends, positioning the agency as an industry thought leader.

 

Website Content Writing

Website content writing encompasses all text on your site, from the homepage to service pages and FAQs.

• Benefit for Your Business: Well-written website content helps visitors understand your services, builds trust, and guides them toward taking action.
• Example Use: A landscaping company might use clear website content to describe its services, making it easy for potential customers to learn what’s offered and book appointments.

 

SEO Blog Writing

SEO blog writing focuses on blog posts optimized to rank on search engines, using targeted keywords and structured content.

• Benefit for Your Business: This approach boosts your site’s visibility by attracting users searching for relevant topics.
• Example Use: A fitness center might use SEO blog writing to create posts on workout routines, attracting visitors searching for exercise tips.

 

Alt Text

The text added to describe images on a website. It’s helpful for search engines to understand what an image is about and is also used by screen readers to improve accessibility.

• Benefit for Your Business: Alt text can help your images appear in Google Image search, giving you another way to be found.
• Example Use: A fashion brand might add descriptive alt text to each product image, making it easier for search engines to recognize what’s shown, like “blue cotton summer dress.”

 

Bounce Rate

This measures the percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing only one page, indicating if users are engaging with your content or not.

• Benefit for Your Business: A lower bounce rate suggests your website is engaging and encourages visitors to explore further.
• Example Use: An online magazine might track bounce rate to see if their articles are holding readers’ interest and leading them to other articles.

 

Call to Action (CTA)

A call to action is a prompt telling users what to do next, like “Sign Up Now,” “Learn More,” or “Contact Us.”

• Benefit for Your Business: Effective CTAs guide visitors toward actions that benefit your business, like signing up or making a purchase.
• Example Use: A software company might use CTAs like “Start Free Trial” to encourage users to try their product.

 

Conversion Rate

This percentage shows how many visitors take a desired action, like making a purchase, signing up, or downloading a resource.

• Benefit for Your Business: High conversion rates indicate your content or offers are effective at getting users to take action.
• Example Use: An online course provider would monitor conversion rates to see how many site visitors enroll in a course after viewing the course page.

 

Evergreen Content

Content that stays relevant and valuable over time, rather than covering temporary or trending topics.

• Benefit for Your Business: Evergreen content continues to bring in traffic long after it’s published, providing a steady source of views and engagement.
• Example Use: A gardening blog might create evergreen content on topics like “How to Grow Tomatoes” since this information is useful every planting season.

 

Internal Linking

Links that connect one page on a website to another page within the same site, helping users and search engines find related content.

• Benefit for Your Business: Internal links improve site navigation, help with SEO, and keep users on your site longer.
• Example Use: A financial services site might use internal links to guide readers from an article on budgeting to one about saving for retirement.

 

Page Speed

The time it takes for a webpage to fully load. Faster-loading pages generally provide a better user experience and tend to rank higher on Google.

• Benefit for Your Business: Faster page speeds reduce bounce rates and improve user experience, which can boost conversions.
• Example Use: An e-commerce website would prioritize page speed so shoppers don’t abandon their carts due to long load times.

 

Title Tag

The title tag is the title that appears in search engine results for a webpage and at the top of a browser tab. It’s crucial for both SEO and attracting clicks.

• Benefit for Your Business: Compelling, relevant title tags can increase your CTR and improve rankings.
• Example Use: A bakery might have a title tag like “Fresh, Homemade Bread & Pastries in [City] | [Bakery Name]” to attract local search traffic.

 

SEO Copywriting Service

An SEO copywriting service provides specialized writing that aligns with search engine requirements, creating content to boost rankings and engage readers.

• Benefit for Your Business: SEO copywriting services help you rank for key terms while appealing to your audience in a way that feels natural and relevant.
• Example Use: A SaaS company could use an SEO copywriting service to optimize its product pages, helping potential customers find and understand its software solutions.