Google SEO Essential Glossary
- Absolute Digital
- Dec 8, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Navigating the digital landscape can feel overwhelming—especially when you're bombarded with terms like "crawling," "backlinks," or "RankBrain." As a top-rated Google SEO Agency and Digital Marketing Agency in Singapore, Absolute Digital understands how confusing SEO jargon can be.
That's why we've created the ultimate Google SEO glossary—a comprehensive guide packed with the most critical SEO terminology you need to know. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or someone curious about the workings behind search rankings, this glossary will help you decode the language of SEO and boost your online visibility.
Why a Google SEO Glossary Matters
Understanding SEO terminology is more than just semantics—it's strategy. Every term in this glossary impacts how search engines evaluate, rank, and present your website on the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
At Absolute Digital, Singapore’s trusted SEO Agency, we’ve helped countless businesses decode these terms and turn insights into results. This glossary is your first step toward becoming SEO-savvy and staying ahead in the competitive digital world.
Core SEO Terminology
1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO refers to strategies and practices that improve a website’s visibility in Google and other search engines. The goal? Rank higher, attract more traffic, and drive conversions—organically.
As a Singapore SEO Agency, Absolute Digital integrates technical, on-page, and off-page SEO to deliver comprehensive optimization tailored for businesses across various industries.
The SERP is the page you see after entering a query in Google. It includes organic results, paid ads, featured snippets, local listings, and more. Ranking high on the SERP increases your brand’s visibility and credibility.
3. Keywords
These are the search terms users input into Google. For instance, phrases like "Singapore Digital Marketing Agency" or "Google SEO Agency" are high-intent keywords. Proper keyword integration is fundamental to your content’s discoverability.
4. Google Algorithm
Google uses complex algorithms to rank websites. These formulas consider hundreds of factors—content quality, page speed, backlinks, and user experience—to determine the most relevant search results.
Staying updated with algorithm changes is key to long-term success. As your Singapore SEO Agency, we monitor these shifts constantly to adjust your SEO strategy in real time.
On-Page Optimization Essentials
5. On-Page SEO
On-page SEO involves optimizing content and HTML elements—such as title tags, meta descriptions, and headers—within a page. The objective is to improve relevance and user experience.
6. Meta Tags
Meta tags include:
Meta Titles: The title shown in the SERP
Meta Descriptions: A short summary of your page's content
Compelling meta tags improve click-through rates, making them a crucial element of your Digital Marketing Agency Singapore SEO strategy.
7. Alt Text
Alt text is a short description added to images, helping visually impaired users and improving image SEO. Google uses it to understand visual content, giving your page an extra edge in rankings.
8. Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable, hyperlinked text. Ideally, it should be keyword-rich and descriptive, providing context for the linked content.
Example: Learn more about our Singapore Digital Marketing Agency services.
9. Schema Markup
Schema markup is code added to your site to give search engines extra information—like reviews, FAQs, or events—making your listings more detailed and eye-catching in the SERP.
Creating informative, keyword-rich, and engaging content is at the heart of on-page SEO. Google rewards content that answers user intent comprehensively and clearly.
Our team at Absolute Digital, a leading Google SEO Agency, crafts high-impact content strategies that resonate with both search engines and users.
Off-Page SEO Terms
11. Off-Page SEO
This includes activities outside your website that impact rankings, such as link building, guest blogging, and social signals. It’s all about building your site’s authority and trustworthiness.
12. Backlinks
These are incoming links from other websites. Quality backlinks from reputable sources significantly boost your SEO authority.
Backlink-building is one of our core offerings as a Singapore SEO Agency, helping businesses grow through ethical, white-hat strategies.
Developed by Moz, DA scores predict how well a website will rank on SERPs. The higher your DA, the more likely your site is seen as an authority in your niche.
14. Influencer Marketing & SEO
Collaborating with influencers can lead to valuable mentions and backlinks. It's an effective off-page SEO tactic often integrated by modern Digital Marketing Agencies in Singapore.
Technical SEO Vocabulary
15. Crawling
Google uses bots (like Googlebot) to scan your website’s pages. A crawl-friendly site ensures all your content is accessible and indexable.
16. Indexing
After crawling, Google stores your content in its index. If a page isn't indexed, it won’t appear in search results. Proper site structure and internal linking help with this.
17. XML Sitemap
An XML sitemap lists all the pages on your site you want Google to index. It’s like a roadmap for search engines.
18. Robots.txt
This file tells search engine crawlers which parts of your site to avoid. Use it wisely to prevent indexing duplicate or sensitive content.
19. HTTPS
Having HTTPS encryption is not only vital for user security—it’s also a ranking factor. Google favors secure websites.
20. Canonical Tag
If you have duplicate content across multiple URLs, a canonical tag tells Google which version is the “main” one. It helps consolidate link equity and avoid ranking penalties.
Performance & User Experience
21. Page Speed
A faster website improves user experience and SEO rankings. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test and optimize loading times.
With mobile-first indexing, Google prioritizes mobile versions of websites for ranking. A responsive, mobile-friendly design is essential for SEO.
As a Singapore Digital Marketing Agency, Absolute Digital specializes in building mobile-optimized websites that convert.
23. Core Web Vitals
These are performance metrics that focus on user experience—such as load time, interactivity, and visual stability. Google uses these metrics as ranking signals.
24. Bounce Rate
This metric indicates the percentage of users who leave your site after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate might suggest poor UX or irrelevant content.
Local SEO Terms
Now known as Google Business Profile, this free tool allows local businesses to manage how they appear in Google Search and Maps. Optimizing your GMB listing boosts visibility for location-based searches.
26. Local Citations
Mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites. Consistent citations help Google validate your business’s legitimacy.
27. Local Pack
The set of three business listings shown on Google Maps and Search. Getting featured in the local pack dramatically increases visibility for your Singapore-based business.
28. Reviews & Ratings
Customer reviews influence both user trust and SEO. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive Google reviews to improve your local rankings.
Advanced SEO Concepts
29. RankBrain
Google's machine learning AI that helps deliver more relevant search results. It assesses user intent, dwell time, and behavioral metrics.
30. Long-Tail Keywords
These are highly specific keyword phrases with lower competition. For example, “best SEO agency for healthcare in Singapore” is a long-tail keyword that can drive highly targeted traffic.
31. Featured Snippets
These are selected search results that appear above the organic listings in a special box. Optimizing content to answer specific queries can help you earn these spots.
32. A/B Testing
Testing two variations of a web page or element (like a CTA or headline) to determine which performs better. This is a powerful way to improve SEO through conversion optimization.
Conversion-Focused SEO & UX (User Experience)
While SEO is often seen as a tool for visibility, its true power lies in conversion. After all, ranking high means little if users don’t engage, convert, or return. This section focuses on the intersection between search visibility, user experience, and conversion optimization—helping you turn search traffic into real business outcomes.
33. Landing Page
A landing page is a standalone page created specifically for a marketing or advertising campaign. It’s where a user “lands” after clicking on a link in an email, ad, or search result—with the goal of getting them to take one focused action (e.g., sign up, download, purchase).
In SEO, landing pages should still be crawlable, mobile-friendly, and keyword-optimized. A high-performing landing page also features a compelling headline, clean layout, trust signals, and a strong call-to-action (CTA).
34. Call-to-Action (CTA)
A Call-to-Action is any prompt encouraging users to take a specific next step—like “Get a Quote,” “Read More,” or “Buy Now.” In SEO and UX, strategically placed CTAs help guide visitors through your site and boost conversion rates.
Whether on a homepage, blog post, or landing page, the right CTA can significantly impact your site’s performance.
35. Heatmaps
Heatmaps are visual representations showing where users click, scroll, or hover on a web page. They offer powerful insights into user behavior—highlighting what attracts attention and what gets ignored.
By combining SEO traffic data with heatmap analysis, you can optimize layout, CTAs, and content flow to keep visitors engaged and improve conversions.
36. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
CRO is the process of optimizing your website elements to increase the percentage of visitors who take a desired action. SEO brings the traffic—CRO ensures that traffic converts into leads or sales.
Effective CRO includes A/B testing, UX improvements, persuasive copywriting, and analytics tracking.
Speak Google’s Language with Absolute Digital
SEO success starts with understanding the terminology—and acting on it strategically. At Absolute Digital, we don’t just speak the language of Google; we help businesses rank, convert, and grow.
Whether you're a startup or an established brand, our Google SEO Agency in Singapore is ready to craft a results-driven strategy for you. Bookmark this glossary and refer back anytime. Or better yet—let our team handle your SEO, so you can focus on running your business.
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