SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is a set of practices and techniques aimed at optimizing a website or online content to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results. The ultimate goal of SEO is to increase organic (non-paid) traffic to a website.

Key aspects of SEO include:

1. Keyword Research: Identifying relevant keywords that potential visitors might use when searching for information related to your content or business.

2. On-Page Optimization: Optimizing various elements on your website, such as meta tags, headings, content, and images, to make them more search engine-friendly.

3. Off-Page Optimization: Building external signals like backlinks (links from other websites) to demonstrate the authority and relevance of your content.

4. Technical SEO: Ensuring that your website is technically sound, including factors like site speed, mobile responsiveness, and proper indexing by search engines.

5. Content Creation: Producing high-quality, relevant, and valuable content that satisfies the user's search intent.

6. User Experience: Creating a positive user experience on your website, which can contribute to higher rankings. This includes factors like easy navigation, clear calls-to-action, and a mobile-friendly design.

7. Local SEO: For businesses targeting a local audience, optimizing for local search results, including Google My Business optimization.

SEO is an ongoing process, as search engine algorithms evolve, and competitors may also be working to improve their own SEO. It's essential for businesses and website owners to stay informed about changes in search engine algorithms and continually adapt their SEO strategies to maintain or improve their rankings.