SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the process of optimizing a website or online content to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). The goal of SEO is to increase organic (non-paid) traffic to a website by making it more relevant and appealing to search engines.

Search engines, like Google, use complex algorithms to determine the relevance and ranking of web pages in response to a user’s search query. SEO involves various strategies and techniques to align with these algorithms and improve a website’s visibility.

Some common SEO practices include:

1. Keyword Research: Identifying the keywords and phrases users are likely to search for when looking for information related to your website or business.
2. On-Page Optimization: Optimizing various elements on a web page, such as meta tags, headings, content, URL structure, and internal linking, to make it more search engine-friendly.
3. Off-Page Optimization: Building external links (backlinks) from other reputable websites to improve the authority and credibility of your site. This can be done through content marketing, guest blogging, influencer outreach, and social media promotion.
4. Technical SEO: Optimizing the technical aspects of a website, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, crawlability, and indexability, to ensure search engines can effectively crawl and index your content.
5. User Experience: Creating a positive user experience by improving website navigation, reducing page load times, enhancing mobile responsiveness, and providing valuable, engaging content that satisfies user intent.
6. Local SEO: Optimizing a website to rank higher in local search results. This is important for businesses targeting a specific geographic area and involves optimizing Google My Business listings, local citations, and online reviews.

SEO is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring, analysis, and adjustment. It helps websites attract more targeted organic traffic, increase brand visibility, and potentially generate more leads or sales. However, it’s important to note that SEO is just one aspect of digital marketing, and businesses often use a combination of strategies, including paid advertising and social media marketing, to maximize their online presence.