SEO is an inherently complex area due to the constantly changing Google algorithms. However, understanding its basics is still within reach for non-technical internet users. It's all about ensuring your content can be found among the billions of web pages in the Google index.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It's a method of making your website more appealing to search engines, particularly Google, which is by far the most popular. When your site is optimized for search engines, it has a better chance of ranking high on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Google's SEO is based around two key elements: relevance and authority. Relevance is straight-forward: does your site provide the information the searcher is looking for? This is where keyword research and placement come in, ensuring your site's content is containing the words and phrases people are typing into Google.
The second element, authority, is somewhat more complex. It refers to how trustworthy Google considers your site to be, and this is partly determined by how many other respected websites link to yours. This adds a whole other dimension to SEO: off-site optimization which involves getting other sites to link to yours, preferably in a natural, organic way.