What Are the Top SEO Terms You Need to Know? (With Examples)

Understanding SEO means getting familiar with the SEO terms and vocabulary —keywords, entities, semantic structure, and more. Below are some of the more common terms used in SEO, what they mean and how they word together.

LSI Keywords

Definition: LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are words or phrases conceptually related to a target keyword. They are not just synonyms but terms that are contextually relevant and commonly found together in content about the main keyword.

Example: For the primary keyword “coffee,” LSI keywords may include “caffeine,” “brew,” and “espresso.”

For “jacket,” LSI keywords might be “reversible,” “winter,” and “puffer.”

Keywords

Definition: In SEO, keywords are the specific words or phrases that users type into search engines to find information. They are what search queries are made of and what search engines use to match content to user queries.

Example: If your target is to rank for “running shoes,” then “running shoes” is your main keyword. Other examples include “best laptops,” “digital marketing,” or “SEO tips.”

Note: “Ranking” for keywords shouldn’t be the focus but rather providing helpful and valuable content for your ideal customer.

Entity

Definition: An entity in SEO refers to a distinct, well-defined concept, person, place, or thing that is identifiable on the web by unique characteristics such as name, type, and relationships. Entities help search engines understand content contextually, rather than just focusing on keyword matching.

Example: In a blog about coffee, entities could be “coffee bean types,” “coffee-growing regions” (like Sumatra or Kona), or “brewing methods.”

For a hiking site, entities might be “gear,” “trails,” and “influencers.”

Semantic SEO

Definition: Semantic SEO is focused on understanding user search intent and creating content that fulfills those needs. The idea is to structure content around a central entity and related topics, aiming to build topical authority and improve relevance in search results.

Example: If a user searches “how to fix a leaky faucet,” semantic SEO means your content should provide a step-by-step solution rather than just general information about faucets.

Topical Map

Definition: A topical map is a strategic plan that organizes website content into related topics and subtopics, demonstrating their connections. This structure improves search engine understanding, enhances topical relevance, and provides a clear path throughout your site for both users and search engines.

Example: If your website’s main topic is “digital marketing,” your topical map might include subtopics like “SEO,” “content marketing,” “social media marketing,” and “email marketing,” each with their own supporting articles.

Topical Authority

Definition: Topical authority refers to a website’s perceived expertise and trustworthiness on a specific subject, achieved by covering all relevant subtopics in depth. Building topical authority helps a site rank higher for a broad set of queries related to its main topic.

Example: A site that covers every aspect of “vegan nutrition”—from recipes and meal plans to scientific studies and vitamin guides—demonstrates topical authority on vegan nutrition by providing comprehensive, in-depth coverage.

Note: The focus is not to “rank” but to increase “visibility” online which will in turn result in traffic which increases the probability of leads and thus revenue.

User Intent

Definition: User intent is the goal or purpose behind a person’s search query—what the user really wants to accomplish. This could be finding information, making a purchase, or comparing options. Understanding your idea user intent is crucial for creating content that matches what users are seeking.

Example: For the query “buy iPhone 15 online,” the user intent is transactional—they want to purchase an iPhone 15. For “iPhone 15 vs Samsung S24,” the intent is comparative / informational.

Questions

Definition: In SEO, questions refer to the specific queries users type into search engines, often in the form of natural language questions. Answering these questions in your content helps capture featured snippets and voice search traffic.

Example: An SEO question may be, “What is the best way to increase website traffic?” or “How long does SEO take to work?” Content that answers these directly will gain online visibility.

Note: More users are using voice search and AI conversational tools to get answers to their questions.

Voice Search Optimization

Definition: Voice search optimization involves tailoring website content to better match the natural, conversational queries users speak into voice assistants. This means the focus on long-tail keywords, question-based content becomes more important.

Note: More and more people are using mobile devices and voice search when looking for something locally. As a result, optimizing for local and mobile searches becomes vital for local SEO.

Example: Optimizing for the voice query “What’s the best Italian restaurant near me?” involves using natural language, question-based content, and local SEO strategies to match how people speak to voice assistants.

Intent of Customer

Definition: The intent of the customer is closely related to user intent but focuses specifically on the motivation or desired outcome driving a potential customer’s search or interaction—such as researching, comparing, or buying a product or service.

Example: If a customer searches for “affordable running shoes for flat feet,” their intent is to find and potentially purchase running shoes that are both affordable and suitable for flat feet.

FAQs: Quick Answers to Common SEO Questions

What’s the difference between a keyword and an entity?

A keyword is what someone types into a search engine. An entity is a recognized, well-defined concept (like a brand or location) that search engines understand regardless of language or spelling.

Why are LSI keywords important for SEO?

They help search engines understand your content more accurately, improving your chances of ranking for semantically related searches.

What is a topical map and why should I use one?

A topical map organizes your content strategy by covering all key subtopics under a main theme. It builds topical authority and improves internal linking.

How do I optimize for voice search?

Use conversational phrasing, target long-tail keywords, include FAQs, and optimize for local/mobile intent.

What is the fastest way to build topical authority?

Start by publishing high-quality content that covers all subtopics under your niche, use internal linking, and update your articles regularly to stay relevant.

Lani Haque

I enjoy learning and sharing that knowledge.Sharing has been in many forms over the years, as a teaching assistant, university lecturer, Pilates instructor, math tutor and just sharing with friends and family.Throughout, summarizing what I have learnt in words has always been there and continues to through blog posts, articles, video and the ever growing forms of content out there!