What Is Organic SEO?

Organic SEO, organic search engine optimization, or organic search, are all phrases to describe the same thing. We use various SEO methods to boost your business website’s visibility, and placement on web pages with unpaid, algorithm-based results on the search engines.

Wow. That’s a mouthful. Essentially, instead of using pay per click (PPC) ads to get someone to click on your website, you use SEO to place you higher in the organic search results. These are the results you see below ads, and below the 3-pack local results at the top of the page.

Utilizing organic SEO is a good marketing solution for businesses with regional or nationwide appeal. If you have a small business that serves a smaller geographic area, you may benefit from our Local SEO services.

Why Appearing on the First Page of Organic Results is Important

Organic results can include thousands of results pages covering millions of websites. Google, or Bing, or Yahoo place what their search engine algorithms determine are the most relevant web pages on the first page of the search engine results pages (SERPS).

The default setting for most people is 10 results per page (not including videos, images, People Also Asked) and ads. If you utilize organic SEO, you improve your chances of appearing on page #1 of organic results.

We keep harping on that first page. Why? Because:

  • The #1 result in Google search results gets nearly 28% of all clicks. (BackLinko)
  • Users are 10 times more likely to click on the #1 organic result than the result in the #10 spot. (BackLinko)
  • 75% of people never make it past the first page of SERPs. (HubSpot)
  • Nearly 80% of people ignore paid search results (ads) and only click on organic search results.
  • Nearly 27% of internet users use ad blockers. (BackLinko)

How Does Google Determine Which Websites Are Most Relevant?

Google’s algorithms use a number of factors to decide which websites are most relevant to a user’s search query. They first determine a user’s intent – such as for information purposes, intent to buy, etc.

The next few factors are where SEO comes in.

Relevance of Content

Google analyzes websites that fit in with the user’s intent, to find relevant content. The first sign that a web page has relevance to a query is if it uses the same key words used in the query within the text on the web page. And if the web page uses the key phrase in a heading, the information on the web page might be especially relevant.

Quality of Content

Once Google has some relevant websites, it sorts them again based on the quality of content. They use tools that determine which pages have content that show expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (EAT). Quality backlinks, well-written, informative content; and lack of spammy content are all considered.

Ease of Use

Google also looks at how easy it is to use your website. If two websites are relatively equal, it will place the one that offers a better page experience higher. Factors considered in this area include:

  • Content must load quickly.
  • Content must be mobile-friendly.
  • Website must use secure HTTPS.

Context

When deciding what results to display to a user, Google will try and put things in context. This can include using a searcher’s country and precise location to deliver results most relevant to them. For instance, a user in the United States who Googled “football” would get results about U>S. college football or NFL teams. But a user in the UK or a huge number of countries around the world would get results related to what we in the U.S. call soccer.

Google will also utilize a user’s search history to provide results they feel may be mot relevant at a particular time.

How Organic SEO Signals Your Website’s Relevancy to Google

Organic SEO consists of several steps to increase your website’s relevancy in search results when someone is searching for the goods and services you provide. We do that in several different ways:

  • Perform keyword research to see what phrases people use to find your services.
  • Use those key phrases behind the scenes in your metadata as well as in the urls, headings, and text of web pages.
  • Write relevant, informative, and authoritative content.
  • Make sure your website is secure, fast-loading, and mobile friendly.
  • Secure quality backlinks.
  • Use SEO best practices to avoid any penalties from Google.

Organic SEO is a multi-step process that can take months for you to see results. It’s a long-term business strategy, that if implemented correctly, can increase your business exponentially.

Harness the Power of SEO to Boost Your Business

Call us at 410-420-9390 or use our contact form to set up a FREE SEO Analysis. We’ll use industry tools to analyze your website as well as your main competitors, and go over all the results with you, showing areas where we can improve your online presence. We’ll help you determine if organic SEO services or Local SEO services is better for your business.