SEO Lingo: What Does SERP Mean?

There are tons of terms associated with Internet marketing, and it can be a challenge to keep up with everything. You’ve probably seen the term SERP before, but do you know what it means?

A search engine results page (SERP) is a page made by a search engine based on a user question or search. It acts as a list of results related to a search. Paid ads, if they relate, can also be seen in a SERP. This blog will dig into more about what SERPs are and why they are important.

What is a SERP?

The last time you searched Google for something, you likely spent time scrolling through the results. The pages with the results are known as SERPs. SERPs are search engine results pages and are available when you make a query into a search engine.

Search engines generate a ranked list of sites that relate to whatever keywords you typed in.

How Are SERPs Generated?

For every keyword phrase submitted, websites that are suitable using the keywords are ranked from the most useful to the least. This is done using several unique ranking factors.

For example, Google uses over 200 ranking factors to create SERPs. The first page often gets the most clicks, but multiple pages are usually available.

Types of SERP Results

There are two main categories of results: paid and organic. Organic results typically make up the majority of the listings. Knowing the difference between the two can help you choose the right approach for your business.

Organic Results

Organic results naturally match the authority, relevance, and quality factors of the search engine’s algorithms. These are assessed with a range of standards. Text-based organic results often take up about ten slots on the initial page. The idea is to get a good spot on this page rather than being on the second or third page where fewer people see you.

Paid Results

On the other hand, paid ads on SERPs are often on the side, top, and bottom. They may have the same look as an organic ad but will have a note that it’s sponsored or an ad. It costs money to place these results on a search engine. These can be pay-per-click (PPC) or cost-per-mile (CPM). Image-based ads can also be used.

How SERPs Impact SEO

SEO is used to improve your ranking on a SERP. This is where you fight it out with other websites to show you’re the best. It’s where you make contact with potential customers and convince them to visit your website. This requires you to optimize your SEO.

Understanding terms like SEO and SERP is essential to do well with search engine rankings. It can take time to master the lingo and even longer be knowledgeable enough to ensure you get the best results from SEO. Take time to learn more about the different aspects of SEO. If you want help to get the best results, reach out to us at Search SEOChicago.