What is SEO?

In one line

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of improving a website so it ranks higher in search engines and earns more relevant organic (unpaid) traffic.

In plain English

SEO spans three areas: on-page (content and HTML), technical (crawlability, speed, structure), and off-page (backlinks and reputation). The goal is to match what searchers want with content search engines can find, understand, and trust.

Why it matters for AI search

Modern SEO now includes AEO and GEO, optimising to be the answer that AI assistants surface and cite, not just a blue link. The fundamentals (clarity, structure, authority) power both.

Frequently asked

How long does SEO take?

Typically 3–6 months to see meaningful movement, longer in competitive niches. It compounds, authority built early keeps paying off.

Is SEO still worth it with AI search?

Yes, more than ever. AI engines pull from the same well-structured, authoritative pages that rank on Google.

Put this into practice

Grade your site against our 250-point AEO/GEO checklist and see exactly what to fix, free, no signup.

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