Career, Business & Money

10 Types Of SEO Explained

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SEO (search engine optimization) is a type of marketing that aims to boost a company’s visibility on search engines. Most companies understand the importance of investing in SEO. But did you know that there are different types of SEO? These different types of SEO have different focuses that can be useful for achieving different goals. Below are 10 different forms of SEO explained. 

On-page SEO

This type of SEO aims to boost the rankings of a web page by focusing purely on the content of the page itself. This includes targeting keywords, structuring text in a user-friendly way and including links leading to other pages. Doing keyword research and learning how to format online written content is key to on-page SEO success.

Off-page SEO

Off-page SEO focuses more on external factors that can boost the rankings of a page. This typically involves networking heavily to encourage third-party sites to publish links (known as backlinks) leading to the webpage you want to optimize. These links could come in the form of guest blog content, sponsored content or online news coverage. 

Technical SEO

Technical SEO focuses on the technical elements of a webpage that can cause it to rank higher on search engines. This includes boosting web page speed, making a web page mobile friendly and improving website structure. This type of SEO requires a greater knowledge of web design and development. 

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Photo by Monoar Rahman

Local SEO

If you’re looking to target customers in your local area, you’ll want to invest in local SEO. This involves focusing on keywords with a local angle (such as ‘dentist near me’ or ‘barber in Manchester’) and also getting optimized on Google Maps. A specialist local SEO agency could be worth hiring to focus on this type of SEO.

International SEO

This is the opposite of local SEO, and focuses on building customers all around the world. This could involve targeting content at people in other countries – including using keywords in foreign languages and blog posts relevant to foreign customers. 

Mobile SEO

Did you know that search engine results can be different on a smartphone to a PC? Mobile SEO focuses on optimizing your website on search engines when used by a smartphone or tablet user. It also involves making a website mobile-friendly with features like larger text and call buttons. 

Black Hat SEO

Black Hat SEO involves using unethical practices to boost a web page’s visibility. Such practices include keyword stuffing, hidden text, sneaky redirects and deceptive clickbait. While it’s possible to get away with some black hat techniques, you are more likely to get penalized for using these practices – which could involve lower rankings or even getting your webpage blacklisted

White Hat SEO

White Hat SEO is the opposite of Black Hat SEO. It involves using purely ethical tactics that are known to be supported by search engines. This involves creating content that is keyword-rich but that feels organic and useful, as well making site alterations that improve user experience along with searchability. 

Grey Hat SEO

This is a name for the grey area of SEO where you may or may not be penalized. This can include buying links, article spinning and creating low quality content purely that may be obviously around a keyword. Such tactics should be used with caution and are generally advised against by SEO experts. 

App store optimization (ASO)

App store optimization is a form of SEO focused around boosting the visibility of apps in app store search listings. This includes using keywords in app store listings and providing plenty of information in the listing. There are ASO companies that can help optimise your app store listing. 

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As you can see, there are many types of SEO – some of which overlap. Knowing which ones to focus on can help you to attract the right types of searchers. Working with the right SEO company will help you get the right results.

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