It’s not magic. SEO works because search engines reward helpful content and great user experiences. Get these right, and you’re already 90% of the way there.

SEO boils down to a handful of main areas:

• Keyword Research
• On-Page SEO
• Off-Page SEO
• Technical SEO
• AI SEO

In this guide, you’ll learn the essentials of each area, plus how to explore them further when you’re ready.

Let’s start with the foundation.

What Is SEO?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website’s visibility in organic (non-paid) search results on platforms like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

Higher rankings mean more traffic to your site—and more traffic can lead to increased sales and revenue.