search engine optimization

British

noun

computing the process of adjusting the content, structure, etc, of a website so that it will be displayed prominently by a search engine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For two decades, companies have relied on search-engine optimization, or SEO, to battle for customer attention online—tuning keywords and backlinks to climb Google’s rankings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

In the same way that search-engine optimization ruined the web by creating a market for low-quality, highly ranked sites, using Reddit posts for training A.I. adds extra incentives for low-quality posts and comments.

From Slate • Dec. 27, 2024

He and his associates also used it to peddle their own off-brand products, including auto warranties, home security systems and search-engine optimization tools.

From Washington Post • Jan. 9, 2018

The homepage of Seattle search-engine optimization company Moz will sport a similar support banner calling for people to take action.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2017

Saved: $1,100 The second arrangement is with my search-engine optimization specialist.

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2011

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023