What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization Explained
Quick Answer
What is SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing a website to increase its visibility in organic (non-paid) search engine results. By improving content, technical structure, and authority, SEO helps businesses rank higher for relevant keywords, driving consistent, long-term traffic without ad spend.
How SEO Works
Search engines like Google use "crawlers" (bots) to scan the internet, index pages, and rank them based on relevance and authority.
The process involves three main pillars:
- On-Page SEO: Optimizing content, keywords, and HTML tags on your site.
- Off-Page SEO: Building authority through backlinks from other trusted websites.
- Technical SEO: Ensuring your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy for bots to crawl.
Pros & Cons of SEO
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rankings provide "free" traffic 24/7 | Takes 3-6 months to see significant results |
| Builds long-term brand credibility | Requires ongoing content updates |
| Higher ROI over time compared to ads | Algorithm updates can cause fluctuations |
Cost & Timeline
Timeline: SEO is a marathon. Expect to see initial movement in 3 months, with meaningful ROI in 6-12 months.
Cost: Can be done for "free" (time-intensive) or by hiring agencies. Professional SEO in India typically ranges from ₹15,000 to ₹60,000+ per month depending on competition.
Who Should Prioritize SEO?
- Businesses looking for sustainable, long-term growth.
- Brands wanting to establish industry authority.
- Companies with a limited ad budget but time to invest in content.
SEO FAQs
Can I do SEO myself?
Yes, especially the basics like writing good content and optimizing titles. However, technical SEO and link building often strictly require expert help.
Is SEO dead in the age of AI?
No. AI Search (like ChatGPT) still cites sources. SEO is evolving into "AI Optimization"—optimizing content to be chosen as the answer source.