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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.


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.

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.

6 SEO Tests You Need to Try

SEO best practices are just table stakes. To really grow traffic you need to run creative SEO tests and experiments and find out what really works for you. Here are six ideas to get you started.

Brad Smith
October 10, 2017 | SEO

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

10 Highly Effective B2B Link Building Tactics

Despite what some people say, links are still crucial for strong organic rankings. If you're in the B2B space, it can be tough to build links, but these 10 proven tactics really work.

Guest Author
June 21, 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

Does Dwell Time Really Matter for SEO? [Data]

Google's machine learning algorithms are set up to reward content with super high engagement metrics. Here's the proof that dwell time, long clicks, and time on site really do affect your SEO!

Larry Kim
January 25, 2017 | Marketing Ideas

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

How to Calculate the ROI of Offline Transactions

We can measure which ad campaigns lead to form completions (conversions), but how do we know which ones lead to actual sales? Here's a system that works!

11 Battle-Tested Ways to Raise Your SEO Click-Through Rate [Infographic]

High organic click-through rates are an increasingly important factor in your SEO rankings. Check out these 11 proven methods to raise your organic CTR.

Larry Kim
October 12, 2016 | SEO

SEO Lensing: How to Climb the SERPs with Content Consolidation

In this must-read post, learn how a simple technique called SEO lensing, or content consolidation, can help you climb the SERPs and improve rankings without creating more content.

Guest Author
September 7, 2016 | Content Marketing

EMDs vs. Branded Domains: What’s the Best Solution?

Not sure if an exact match domain (EMD) or a branded domain is right for your site? Check out this guide to the pros and cons of EMDs versus branded domains.

Guest Author
August 9, 2016 | SEO

Why You NEED to Raise Organic CTR’s (And How to Do It)

Is click-through rate (CTR) a ranking factor in Google? We've got data that suggests yes, Google does factor organic CTR into its ranking algorithm -- plus crucial tips on how to raise your Google click-through rates for better organic rankings and SEO.

Larry Kim
May 5, 2016 | SEO

RankBrain Judgment Day: 4 SEO Strategies You’ll Need to Survive

RankBrain, Google's sophisticated AI system, will change SEO forever. Larry Kim has come back from the future to tell us how we can win the war against the machines and survive SEO Judgment Day.

Larry Kim
March 14, 2016 | SEO

RankBrain: A Primer on Google’s Artificial Intelligence Technology

RankBrain, Google's proprietary artificial intelligence system, is revolutionizing the world of search. Here's everything you need to know.

Dan Shewan
November 4, 2015 | SEO

3 Tips for Ranking in the Featured Snippet (AKA Position Zero)

Getting into Google's featured snippet is like ranking in position zero! Learn how to get featured snippets in Google and earn tons of organic traffic.

Elisa Gabbert
October 13, 2015 | Content Marketing

SEO Basics: Complete Beginner’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization

In this complete beginner's guide to SEO, learn the SEO basics in eight parts, including keyword targeting, on-page SEO, quality content, technical SEO, and more.

Tom Demers
April 30, 2015 | SEO

26 Crazy Facts You Didn’t Know About Google

Did you know that Google negotiated the terms of acquisition for YouTube in a Denny's diner? Check out this and 25 other crazy facts you didn't know about Google.

Larry Kim
April 15, 2015 | SEO

Search Trends by State: Top Trending Searches in All 50 States

What search terms trended in YOUR state last year? See the top rising search trends in all 50 U.S. states in this infographic.

Elisa Gabbert
March 2, 2015 | SEO