32 Types of SEO: What They Are & How They Work

by seduworld · Published July 7, 2025 · Updated July 13, 2025

Simply having a website won’t attract visitors to it. You need to take active steps to help people find it online. That’s where SEO comes in.

But where should you begin?

First, you need to understand that there are different types of SEO – each designed to help with specific goals. Knowing the differences helps you pick the best strategies to boost your traffic and make your website easier to find.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 32 different types of SEO so you can choose what works best for your needs. Let’s dive in!

Types of SEO

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the process of making your website better so it appears higher in search engine results, especially on Google.

In simple terms, SEO helps your content and site structure speak clearly to search engines. This makes it easier for people to find you when they search for something related to your business or topic.

The 3 Core Types of SEO

There are three main SEO types that form the base of most strategies. Here’s a simple breakdown:

On-Page SEO

On-Page SEO focuses on optimizing the content and elements within the pages of your website.

Every time you write content or publish a new page, you have a chance to boost your SEO. On-page SEO includes:

Using the right keywords
Writing good page titles and meta descriptions
Using headers (like H1, H2)
Adding helpful content
Including image alt text
Writing strong landing page content

The key is quality. Write clearly, keep things relevant, and never overuse keywords (that’s called “keyword stuffing,” and it can hurt your rankings).

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO deals with what happens outside your website, like backlinks and online mentions.

Search engines look at how trusted your site is based on links and mentions from other sites. Off-page SEO includes:

Getting backlinks from respected websites
Promoting your site on social media
Earning brand mentions

Think of it like this: if other quality websites link to you, it tells Google your site is worth showing to more people.

Technical SEO

This part focuses on the technical side of how your site runs..

Even if your content is great, search engines need to be able to access and understand it. Technical SEO helps with:

Fast site speed and good structure
Creating XML sitemaps
Handling redirects (like 301s and 404 errors)
Using SSL for security
Avoiding duplicate content
Optimizing mobile performance

If your site runs smoothly and loads quickly, it’s easier for search engines to crawl and rank it.

4 Types of SEO Based on Ethics (How Safe or Risky Your Strategy Is)

Different SEO strategies fall into different categories depending on whether they follow search engine guidelines or not. Here are the four main ones:

White Hat SEO

White Hat SEO is the safe and recommended way to do SEO. It follows all the rules and focuses on helping users, not tricking search engines. Some common practices include:

Creating helpful, high-quality content
Using keywords naturally (not forced)
Earning backlinks from respected websites
Ensuring your website loads quickly, works well on phones, and is simple to navigate.

It’s a slower approach, but it builds trust and long-term success.

Black Hat SEO

Black Hat SEO involves using dishonest tactics to manipulate search engine rankings. It may give fast results but often leads to penalties or being removed from search results altogether. Tactics include:

Stuffing pages with too many keywords
Buying backlinks from shady sites
Hiding text or links
Showing different content to users vs. search engines (called “cloaking”)

This approach is risky and not worth it in the long run.

Grey Hat SEO

Grey Hat SEO falls between White Hat (ethical) and Black Hat SEO techniques. These methods aren’t strictly banned but still walk a fine line. For example:

Rewriting (spinning) existing articles using software
Doing link exchanges (you link to me, I link to you)
Slightly manipulating search engine rules

Grey Hat may help in the short term, but it can become dangerous if overused.

Negative SEO

This is unethical and harmful SEO—used to damage a competitor’s ranking instead of improving your own. It includes:

Creating spammy backlinks to a competitor’s site
Copying their content and posting it elsewhere
Posting fake negative reviews
Hacking or changing their website

To protect yourself from this, keep an eye on your backlinks and site security regularly.

Platform-Based SEO (How SEO Works on Different Sites and Tools)

WordPress SEO

WordPress is one of the most popular website platforms, so getting SEO right here is important. Good WordPress SEO includes:

Making use of plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math for optimization.
Creating clean, keyword-friendly URLs (permalinks)
Writing strong titles, meta descriptions, and headers
Keeping your site fast and secure by limiting unnecessary plugins
Using XML sitemaps helps Google navigate and index your site more easily.

Because it’s so flexible, WordPress gives you a lot of control over how you optimize your content.

Shopify SEO

Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform. SEO here focuses on making your product pages and collections rank well. Key tips:

Write unique, keyword-rich product titles and descriptions
Use compressed images to keep site speed fast
Build backlinks to your product pages
Improve site navigation and structure
Use apps and SEO tools designed for Shopify

Shopify makes some technical SEO easier, but you still need to optimize your content and product listings.

E-Commerce SEO

E-Commerce SEO is relevant for any online store, whether it’s on Shopify, WooCommerce, Big Commerce, or any other platform. Strong e-commerce SEO strategies include:

Using long-tail keywords (e.g., “best winter boots for kids”)
Allowing user reviews on product pages
Adding high-quality images and alt text
Creating fast, mobile-friendly checkout pages
Using filters and search-friendly URLs

The goal is to attract shoppers looking for specific products and make it easy for them to buy.

YouTube SEO

YouTube is a search engine for videos, so you need to optimize your content like you would on Google. YouTube SEO includes:

Using keywords in video titles, descriptions, and tags
Creating eye-catching thumbnails
Encouraging likes, comments, and shares
Writing clear, engaging video scripts
Organizing videos into playlists

More engagement = more reach. YouTube shows videos that people are likely to watch and enjoy.

Social Media SEO

Even though social media doesn’t directly impact search rankings, it still helps increase visibility and traffic. Social Media SEO means:

Using the right hashtags and keywords in your posts helps increase visibility and reach the right audience.
Writing clear, clickable descriptions
Posting content that people want to share
Responding to comments and building community

Also, platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) can show up in Google results, so optimizing posts matters.

App Store SEO (ASO)

App Store SEO (also called App Store Optimization) helps your app rank higher in stores like Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Key tips:

Use keywords in the app title and description
Add screenshots and preview videos
Collect positive user reviews
Update your app regularly to stay relevant
Keep your app’s icon clean and appealing

The more polished and user-friendly your app is, the more downloads and higher rankings it will achieve.

Etsy SEO

Etsy has its own ranking system, so you need to optimize for how buyers search on the platform. Good Etsy SEO includes:

Using keywords in product titles and tags
Choosing the right product categories
Writing clear, detailed descriptions
Uploading high-quality images
Earning great customer reviews

You want to show up when people are searching for handcrafted, vintage, or custom items.

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

This is a new and growing type of SEO. It focuses on how to get your content seen by AI-powered search tools—like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE).

With GEO, your content should be:

Short, factual, and well-organized
Easy for AI systems to understand and summarize
Written in a Questions & Answers or list format for clarity

As more people use AI search tools, structuring content for them is becoming more important.

Content-Based SEO (Optimizing What You Publish)

Blog SEO

Blogging is one of the best ways to bring in free, organic traffic. But to get results, your blog content must be optimized properly. Here’s how:

Use Relevant Keywords: Target a mix of broad and long-tail keywords that people commonly search for.
Write for People First: Make your blogs helpful and easy to read. Use headers, bullet points, and short paragraphs.
Focus on E-E-A-T: Show Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Include examples, expert quotes, or author bios.
Keep Content Updated: Refresh older blog posts to keep them current and improve rankings over time.

Landing Page SEO

A landing page is designed to convert visitors—to get them to sign up, buy something, or take another action. SEO helps more people find it. Here’s how:

Start with a Strong Headline: It should clearly state what you offer and why it matters.
Make It Fast and Mobile-Friendly: If it loads slowly or looks bad on phones, people leave.
Add Trust Signals: Use testimonials, reviews, or badges to build trust and increase conversions.

Multimedia SEO

Text isn’t the only content that matters. Search engines also index images, videos, and interactive content. Good multimedia SEO includes:

Image SEO: Image SEO involves using clear file names and alt text, plus compressing images to improve loading speed.
Video SEO: Optimize your video titles, descriptions, and transcripts. Embedding videos can boost time-on-page, which helps rankings.
Infographics & Interactive Tools: These often get shared more, earning backlinks and social mentions that boost SEO.

Semantic SEO

Semantic SEO focuses on helping search engines grasp the context and meaning of your content, rather than just relying on keywords. To do this:

Use Related Keywords (LSI keywords): These give more context to your content.
Answer Questions Clearly: Use FAQ sections or headings like “What is…” or “How to…”
Link to Related Content: Internal linking keeps users on your site longer and boosts your topical authority.

Search engines are smarter now—they want context and clarity, not just keyword repetition.

Location-Based SEO (Reaching People Based on Where They Are)

Local SEO

Local SEO helps your business appear in search results when people look for services near them, like “coffee shop near me” or “best dentist in [city].” Here’s what it involves:

Google Business Profile: Set up and optimize your profile with the correct name, address, phone number (NAP), hours, and photos.
Local Citations: Make sure your business is listed correctly on online directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc.).
Customer Reviews: Encourage happy customers to leave reviews—Google favors well-reviewed businesses.
Location-Based Keywords: Use terms like “in [city]” or “near [neighborhood]” on your site pages.

Perfect for brick-and-mortar businesses that want more foot traffic or local customers.

International SEO

If you want to reach people in multiple countries, international SEO is key. It helps your site show the right content to users based on their location. Important steps include:

Geo-Targeting: Show different versions of your site based on the user’s country.
Hreflang Tags: Hreflang tags help search engines identify which language version of your content to display to users.
Country-Specific Domains or Subdirectories: Use structures like .uk, .ca, or example.com/fr/ for better targeting.
Translate Your Content: Make sure the wording and examples make sense to people in that region.

This is ideal for businesses expanding into global markets.

Multilingual SEO

Multilingual SEO is similar to international SEO, but it focuses on language differences rather than location. For example, you might offer your site in both English and Spanish, even if all your users are in one country.

Key points:

Use High-Quality Translations: Don’t rely only on automated tools—make sure the content sounds natural.
Add Hreflang Tags: These help search engines show the correct language version.
Culturally Adapt Your Content: Local slang, customs, or examples matter a lot.
Separate URLs by Language: Use /en/, /es/, etc., to organize content by language.

Multilingual SEO helps you reach a broader, more diverse audience with content they understand and trust.

Specialized SEO Types (For New Formats, Tools & Industries)

Voice SEO

With smart assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, more people are using voice search to find things online. Voice SEO focuses on:

Using Natural, Conversational Phrases: People speak differently than they type (e.g., “What’s the best pizza place near me?”).
Targeting Long-Tail Keywords and Questions: Start with “who,” “what,” “where,” “how,” etc.
Optimizing for Featured Snippets: Optimizing for Featured Snippets means structuring your content to provide clear, concise answers that Google may display at the top, often read out loud by voice assistants.
Focusing on Local Search: Many voice searches are location-based (“Where’s the nearest pharmacy?”).

Voice SEO helps your content get chosen as a spoken response.

Image SEO

Search engines also “read” images—so if you optimize them properly, they can drive lots of traffic. Image SEO includes:

Using Descriptive File Names (e.g., red-running-shoes.jpg)
Writing clear and accurate alt text improves accessibility for users with disabilities and helps search engines properly index your images.
Compressing Image Sizes for fast loading
Using Structured Data for product images, recipes, and more

As tools like Google Lens grow in popularity, having search-friendly images becomes more important.

Video SEO

Videos are now a major part of search. Video SEO improves how well your videos show up in results. It involves:

Keyword-Rich Titles and Descriptions
Custom Thumbnails to boost clicks
Using Transcripts or Closed Captions
Adding Timestamps (Chapters) for easier navigation
Embedding Videos on Relevant Pages to increase dwell time

Videos can show up in Google’s video carousel, giving your brand extra visibility and helping it stand out.

SaaS SEO

SaaS SEO is key for SaaS businesses to draw in customers and keep them engaged over time. SaaS SEO focuses on:

Creating Product-Focused Content (like feature breakdowns and how-tos)
Targeting High-Intent Keywords (like “best CRM for small business”)
Optimizing for Conversions (strong landing pages, clear CTAs)
Using SEO to Build Authority in a specific software niche

The goal is to generate leads, drive free trials, and reduce paid ad spend.

Niche SEO

This SEO type focuses on very specific industries or markets—where competition is low but audiences are highly targeted. Success comes from:

Deep Audience Research
Focusing on Unique, Industry-Specific Keywords
Creating Expert-Level Content tailored to that niche
Becoming a Recognized Voice in that space

Perfect for professionals or small businesses in specialized fields like dental equipment, eco-friendly fashion, or local artisan goods.

AI SEO

As search engines get smarter, AI-based SEO is on the rise. It includes using AI tools to:

Analyze Competitors and Search Trends
Automatically Suggest Keywords and Topics
Optimize Content Structure Based on Data
Generate Content Ideas or Even Full Drafts (when used responsibly)

Google also uses AI (like RankBrain) to understand search intent—so your content needs to be clear, useful, and relevant to what people really want.

Podcast SEO

Search engines now index audio content like podcasts. Podcast SEO helps your episodes show up in results by:

Writing Descriptive Titles and Show Notes
Publishing Transcripts of Each Episode
Using Keyword-Rich Metadata
Submitting to Platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.)
Embedding Episodes on Your Website with supporting blog content

If your podcast ranks well, it can bring new listeners and build brand trust.

B2B SEO

B2B (business-to-business) SEO focuses on long buying cycles and decision-makers. It usually includes:

Creating In-Depth Guides, Case Studies, and Whitepapers
Ranking for Industry-Specific Search Terms
Using LinkedIn and Other Business Platforms
Building Backlinks from Relevant Sites and Media

B2B SEO is less about quick sales and more about long-term lead nurturing.

B2C SEO

B2C (business-to-consumer) SEO is about attracting everyday shoppers and converting them quickly. It focuses on:

Optimizing Product Pages and Category Pages
Creating Fun, Emotion-Driven Content
Using Fast-Loading Images and Videos
Encouraging Reviews and User-Generated Content

Since B2C has shorter buying cycles, SEO must be fast, persuasive, and mobile-friendly.

Mobile SEO

Since most searches now happen on phones, Mobile SEO is essential for reaching users effectively. Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning your mobile site matters more than your desktop version. Mobile SEO includes: