SEO is not just about keywords and backlinks, it is more than that. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has a long history, and today, it branches out into many forms depending on goals, platforms, and user behavior. Whether you’re a blogger, a business owner, or a marketer, knowing these types can help you choose the right …
SEO is not just about keywords and backlinks, it is more than that.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has a long history, and today, it branches out into many forms depending on goals, platforms, and user behavior. Whether you’re a blogger, a business owner, or a marketer, knowing these types can help you choose the right SEO strategy for your needs.
Let’s break it down into simple sections
The 3 Pillars of SEO
All types of SEO fall under these main categories:
- On-Page SEO – This is what you do on your website. Think of keyword placement, blog content, headings, and image tags.
- Off-Page SEO – This is what happens outside your website, like getting backlinks from other sites, guest posts, and social shares.
- Technical SEO – This focuses on how your site is built. Fast loading, mobile-friendly design, proper URLs, and site structure all count here.
SEO by Search Type
These types help you reach users depending on how they search:
- Mobile SEO – Optimizing your site to work smoothly on phones.
- Voice SEO – Making content searchable through voice assistants like Alexa or Siri.
- Video SEO – Optimizing YouTube and other video platforms.
- Image SEO – Using proper file names, alt text, and sizes for images.
- Content SEO – Structuring content with keywords, headings, and quality.
- News SEO – Targeting Google News and timely content.
AI Chatbot SEO – Making content easy for AI systems like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to access and quote.
SEO by Business Type
Not all businesses need the same SEO. Here are options based on your setup:
- Local SEO – Great for shops, restaurants, or services in a specific city.
- International SEO – For brands targeting users in other countries.
- Multilingual SEO – Creating SEO content in multiple languages.
- Enterprise SEO – Designed for large organizations with huge websites.
- Ecommerce SEO – Helps online stores rank their product pages.
- Affiliate SEO – Helps content creators or bloggers rank affiliate links.
- SEO Tactics You’ll Hear About
These are the methods used, some good, some not-so-good:
- White Hat SEO – Ethical and approved techniques (what we all should do).
- Gray Hat SEO – Somewhere between safe and risky.
- Black Hat SEO – Risky tricks that might get you banned from Google.
- Parasite SEO – Posting on high-authority websites to get quick traffic.
- Brand SEO – Optimizing for your company name and reputation.
- Accessibility SEO – Making content easy to access for everyone, including users with disabilities.
- Programmatic SEO – Using automation to publish SEO-friendly pages at scale.
- Platform-Specific SEO
Different platforms = different strategies. Here are some examples:
- Google Discover & Google SGE SEO – Optimize for Google’s new feed-based experiences.
- Amazon, Etsy, eBay SEO – Product listings optimization for marketplaces.
- Shopify & App Store SEO – For eCommerce or app visibility.
- Podcast, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit SEO – Niche strategies for each platform.
- LinkedIn & Quora SEO – Getting seen in professional and Q&A platforms.
Final Words
SEO isn’t a simple thing. It is a combination of multiple efforts.
Your strategy should depend on what you’re selling, who you’re targeting, and where you’re publishing. If you’re running a local bakery, focus on Local SEO and content. If you’re launching a YouTube channel, lean into Video SEO and YouTube optimization. Selling on Amazon? Amazon SEO is your best friend.
The more you understand the different types of SEO, the smarter your strategy becomes.
