Search engine optimization From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Page semi-protected "SEO" redirects here. For other uses, see SEO (disambiguation). Internet marketing Search engine optimization Social media marketing Email marketing Referral marketing Content marketing Search engine marketing Pay per click Cost per impression Search analytics Web analytics Display advertising Contextual advertising Behavioral targeting Affiliate marketing Cost per action Revenue sharing Mobile advertising v t e Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine's "natural" or un-paid ("organic") search results.[jargon] In general, the earlier (or higher ranked on the search results page), and more frequently a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine's users. SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, video search, academic search,[1] news search and industry-specific vertical search engines. As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work, what people search for, the actual search terms or keywords typed into search engines and which search engines are preferred by their targeted audience. Optimizing a website may involve editing its content, HTML and associated coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and to remove barriers to the indexing activities of search engines. Promoting a site to increase the number of backlinks, or inbound links, is another SEO tactic. The plural of the abbreviation SEO can refer to "search engine optimizers," those who provide SEO service. Contents 1 History 2 Relationship with search engines 3 Methods 3.1 Getting indexed 3.2 Preventing crawling 3.3 Increasing prominence 4 White hat versus black hat techniques 5 SEO copywriting 5.1 Technical details 5.2 Professional role 6 As a marketing strategy 7 International markets 8 Legal precedents 9 See also 10 Notes 11 External links