Is it just me, or does it seem like technology has a language of its own? There are so many abbreviations and slang terms for various online marketing actions that it’s difficult to keep track of what means what. This is especially true when it comes to SEO, or search engine optimization.

Much is made of how you can boost your search engine presence and get that coveted spot on page one of Google. Many of you may already know about the tactics you can use already. What gets confusing are these online marketing acronyms that get thrown around. You see them and think that you’re not doing something right. In reality, you may already be doing them!

If you take some time to decode some of these fancy-looking SEO acronyms, you may find that understanding Internet marketing lingo isn’t as difficult as you think. Here are a few common abbreviations that you may see:

SERP: Search engine results page. The objective in all of your Internet marketing and SEO efforts is to get on page one of all the major search engines.

PPC: Pay-per-click. You know those Facebook ads you can create and place? Those are pay-per-click ads. You pay a certain amount for each click your ad receives.

PR: PageRank. Did you know that Google actually rates your website? It gives your site a score on a 1-10 scale based upon the quality of its content and inbound links. This figure, known as PageRank, can be used to track the progress of your SEO marketing efforts.

CRO: Conversion rate optimization. Believe it or not, the number of call-to-actions that you have on your site matters. Having call-to-actions and lead-capture forms throughout your site is the way to convert visitors into leads. The more this happens, the higher your conversion rate optimization.

SEM: Search engine marketing. This all-encompassing term refers to any and everything that you do to get your website to move up the search engine rankings. From blogging to pay-per-click ads, to call-to-actions; each of these efforts can be attributed as SEM techniques.

Once you break it down, the concept of Internet marketing doesn’t seem so scary, does it? Chances are, you’re already thinking about these things when you plan your next marketing move. Decoded, these SEO acronyms aren’t scary and intimidating. Now you can read about SEO strategies and tactics and actually know what the experts are talking about. You can spend less time trying to decode what’s being said and more time coming up with a brilliant marketing strategy for your website.

Hopefully, this cheat sheet of terms brings you one step closer to mastering the tech lingo surrounding SEO strategy.

Good luck!

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×