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Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the practice of optimizing your website to generate more traffic from search engines. Learn how to improve your rankings, build links, run technical website audits, track performance, write content that’s fully optimized for Google, the difference between white hat and black hat SEO, and much, much more. The WordStream blog is your home for all things SEO this year.


Battle of the SERP: Combining SEO & PPC Forces to Win

Ever get your listing bumped from the coveted page-one spot on the SERP? Here's how you can use SEO and PPC together to maximize your marketing efforts and rescue those listing.

27 Google Search Statistics You Should Know (+ Insights!)

We compiled 27 Google search statistics to give you a better understanding of the search engine at the core of your PPC and SEO efforts. Check them out!

Conor Bond
February 7, 2019
SEO

The 10 Best SEO Tools You Just Can’t Live Without

We polled marketers to see which SEO tools they wanted most this year and narrowed that list down to bring you the most in-demand tools for 2019. Here, we're sharing the list of tools, including SEMrush, Mailchimp, Majestic, and more.

Lisa Smith
January 14, 2019
SEO

7 Steps to Making the Most out of the New Google Search Console

The new Google Search Console is officially out of beta! Check out our seven steps to making the absolute most out of the new interface and getting all the actionable insight you can out of Search Console.

Gordon Donnelly
September 25, 2018
SEO

Expandable Featured Snippets Mark Continued Shift in Search

SEO news-philes rejoice—it’s time to freak out about another new search results feature. Expandable featured snippets have landed, and they're a symptom of a larger shift occurring in search.

Gordon Donnelly
August 20, 2018
SEO

Conquer the World With This International SEO Guide

Ready to conquer the world? This guide to international SEO will teach you everything you need to know to optimize your website or multiple web properties for international audiences, from site structure options to international keyword research and link building.

Guest Author
July 26, 2018
SEO

6 Things to Check for When Your Organic Traffic Suddenly Drops

Your organic traffic can drop for many reasons, and it's crucial to have a plan. In this article, we break down the first six things you must consider when your organic traffic falls.

Marc Schenker
July 13, 2018
SEO

The 10-Step SEO Audit & Checklist

SEO audits are hard. WordStream makes them easy. We’ve nailed down 10 core steps to any successful SEO audit. Come check out our quick, effective, 10-step SEO audit to find and fix your mistakes so you can start seeing organic traffic go up.

Gordon Donnelly
June 20, 2018
SEO

The Only Off-Page SEO Walkthrough You’ll Ever Need

Optimizing your site for off-page SEO means you’ll have to improve the way that both users and search engines see your site in terms of credibility, authority, popularity and relevance, just to name a few factors. Learn four key ways to improve your off-page SEO.

Marc Schenker
June 13, 2018
SEO

SEO for Startups: How to Grow Your Organic Traffic Fast

Startups need to get their brand out there and start building organic traffic fast. But that doesn't mean you can afford to take risks that will hurt you in the long run. This guide to SEO for startups will get you on the right track to sustainable traffic.

Guest Author
May 23, 2018
SEO

The Rise & Fall of Google’s & Zero Search Results Experiment

In an algorithm update that took effect March 13, Google undertook an experiment to deliver a single featured snippet for queries that didn’t demand full search results pages—i.e., “zero search results.” After just a week of live testing, the grand experiment has come to a close. In this post, we take a look at the rise and fall (for now) of Google’s “zero search results.”

Gordon Donnelly
March 23, 2018
SEO

4 SEO Survival Tips for the Voice Search Revolution

ComScore has predicted that by 2020, 50% of all searches will be via voice and 30% of searches will take place without a screen. How can you optimize your site for the voice search revolution? Check out these four SEO survival tips.

Guest Author
February 14, 2018
SEO

Here’s How the Google Speed Update Will Impact Your Site (& Google Ads Account)

Google just made a change to its mobile ranking factors. It's called the Speed Update, and it could impact your organic rankings and the amount you pay in AdWords. Learn what the Speed Update is and what you can do to determine its impact on your business.

7 Hard Truths About SEO in 2018

SEO is always changing, and you can bet the SEO landscape won't get any simpler in 2018. Here are seven hard truths you need to accept about SEO right now, including the importance of site speed, video, the mobile-first index, and more.

Guest Author
December 12, 2017
SEO

Every Important Google Algorithm Update Since 2003

Google's search algorithm has evolved quite a bit over the years. Here's a to-date history of every important Google algorithm update since 2003.

Gordon Donnelly
December 7, 2017
SEO

The 8 Best Tools for Finding Competitor Keywords

Need to see what keywords your competitors are using? Check out these eight powerful tools you should incorporate into your competitive keyword research workflow.

The Beginner’s Guide to Duplicate Content

What is duplicate content and why does it matter for SEO? How can you find duplicate content issues on your site, and what should you do to fix the problem? Read on to get the full rundown.

Guest Author
October 6, 2017
SEO

How I Achieved a 48% Success Rate Using Twitter for Link Building

Tired of low link building success rates? Find out how we leveraged Twitter for outreach to receive an insane 48% of the links we asked for.

Gordon Donnelly
August 25, 2017
SEO

The Google Fred Update: Why It Matters and What to Do

What was the Google Fred algorithm update, and why should you care about it? Read on to find out which sites were affected by Fred and how to react as a site owner or SEO.

Dan Shewan
August 23, 2017
SEO

Video SEO: 9 Ways to Optimize Your Video for Search

Video SEO is a powerful way to ensure your videos reach potential customers. Find out how to optimize video for maximum visibility in today's post.

Margot Whitney
June 2, 2017
SEO

This Is How to Build Links Now: 10 Data-Backed Tips

Link building has changed a lot over the years, as Google's algorithms have evolved, but links are still important for SEO. Here's how to get them, the right way.

Danny Goodwin
May 24, 2017
SEO

Value of a #1 Google Ranking Down 37% in Two Years?

Wondering why even your top-ranking pages don't get as much traffic as they used to? Learn why in this post.

Elisa Gabbert
April 26, 2017
SEO

OK, Google: How Do I Optimize My Site for Voice Search?

Want your site to rank for Google voice search queries? It's crucial to optimize your site for Google voice search. Learn everything you need to know about voice search in this comprehensive guide.

Dan Shewan
March 14, 2017
SEO

How to Use Answer The Public to Earn Featured Snippets

Let me set the stage for you. It’s September 2016, Rob Bucci of STAT Search Analytics has just taken the stage at MozCon. As unsuspecting attendees, we didn’t quite know what we were in for.

Guest Author
February 7, 2017
SEO

9 Crazy Predictions for SEO in 2017

What does the always changing world of SEO have in store for us this year? A lot of the SEO predictions for the year have been totally safe and boring, but today Larry Kim is sharing 9 crazy SEO predictions that will blow your mind. Check them out, place your bets!

Larry Kim
January 9, 2017
SEO

The 13 Best SEO Posts of the Year

Check out Larry Kim's picks for the absolute best, most helpful and innovative SEO articles and blog posts of the year, from WordStream and around the web.

Larry Kim
December 20, 2016
SEO

6 SEO Experiments That Will Blow Your Mind

Best practices are nice, but SEO experiments are what really move us forward in the world of organic search engine optimization. Here are six crazy experiments that really surprised us, and how you can use the results for your own SEO gains.

Larry Kim
November 21, 2016
Content Marketing