Okay so you’ve probably heard the term “SEO” thrown around, right? Maybe on a podcast, maybe in some blog post telling you to “optimize your site,” or maybe someone on TikTok was like, “You’re not ranking because your SEO sucks!!” Cool cool cool… but like… what even is SEO?
If you’re sitting there like, “Yeah I hear it all the time but I don’t really get it,” — same. Or at least, that’s how it starts for most of us.
Let’s talk about what SEO really is, why it matters for your blog or website, and how to make it work for you — no tech background needed, I promise.
So like… What Does SEO Actually Mean?
Alright, let’s get this part out of the way first. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Big fancy term, but it really just means this:
Making little changes to your site so Google can understand what it’s about — and show it to people searching for stuff like yours.
That’s it. You’re just helping your website be more “Google-friendly,” so when someone types in something related to what you offer, you’ve got a chance to pop up.
Like imagine writing a killer blog post on how to make iced coffee at home… and no one ever finds it. Why? Because Google didn’t even know what your post was really about. That’s where SEO steps in. It’s like giving Google a map with arrows that say: “HEY, SHOW THIS POST TO THE COFFEE LOVERS.”
Why Should You Even Care About SEO?
Okay so why does any of this even matter?
Because the internet is loud. Like, ridiculously loud. There are literally millions of websites out there, and if yours isn’t set up right, it’s kinda like trying to whisper in a rock concert.
SEO helps your content actually get seen.
More visibility = more traffic = more people reading, subscribing, buying, or whatever your goal is.
And the best part? You’re not paying for ads or boosting posts. It’s just your content doing the work — passively — day after day.
Alright But Like… How Does SEO Even Work?
Let’s break it down real basic. Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
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Someone types something into Google, like “how to meal prep on a budget.”
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Google’s little bots (called crawlers) zoom around the internet, looking for pages that match that topic.
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They check a bunch of stuff — like what the page says, how fast it loads, how trustworthy it seems, and if other websites are linking to it.
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Then Google decides which pages deserve to be shown on the first page of results.
And here’s the kicker: people rarely click past page one. So yeah… if you want that sweet, free traffic, you want Google to like you enough to show you off on page one.
Is SEO Just Throwing Keywords Everywhere?
Nahhh, that’s old-school SEO — the kind that doesn’t really work anymore.
You do want to use keywords (those are the words people are typing into search engines). But you don’t want to just stuff them in like “weight loss tips weight loss ideas lose weight now quick fast free” — that’s just gross.
Instead, think of it like this:
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Figure out what people are searching for
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Use those phrases naturally in your content (especially in places like the title, first paragraph, headers, image descriptions, etc.)
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Write like a human, not a robot
Google’s pretty smart these days. It knows when you’re just trying to game the system. What it really wants is content that actually helps people.
“On-page” vs “Off-page” SEO (Don’t Worry, This Part Isn’t Complicated)
Okay this is one of those things that sounds technical but isn’t.
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On-page SEO = the stuff you do on your website. Like picking good keywords, formatting your blog post, naming your images, writing solid titles.
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Off-page SEO = the stuff that happens outside your site. Like when someone else links to your post (aka backlinks) or talks about it on social media.
Both matter, but if you’re just starting out, focus on getting your on-page stuff right. That’s the stuff you can control.
Real Talk: How Do You Actually “Do” SEO?
Let’s keep this simple. Here’s a mini step-by-step guide that doesn’t involve a marketing degree:
1. Pick a Keyword (Or a Few)
Think like your ideal reader. What would they type into Google to find your blog post?
Use free tools like:
Google autocomplete (just start typing in the search bar and see what pops up)
Keywords Everywhere browser add-on
Example: If you’re writing about plant care, maybe the keyword is “how to keep houseplants alive.”
2. Use That Keyword In Smart Places
Just sprinkling it around — naturally — in spots like:
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The blog post title
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Your URL (like /keep-houseplants-alive)
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The first 100 words
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Some headers
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Your meta description
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Image alt text (just describe the pic and include the keyword if it makes sense)
3. Write Like You Talk
Forget stiff sentences and textbook vibes. Write like you’re explaining it to a friend. Use contractions. Break grammar rules sometimes. Add a lil personality.
Google likes when content sounds human (so do readers).
4. Link Stuff Together
Link to your other blog posts (this helps people stay on your site longer) and link to helpful stuff from other people too. Just make sure the links make sense.
5. Make Sure Your Site Works on Phones
More than half of traffic comes from mobile these days. If your site is slow or doesn’t fit on a phone screen, people bounce. Google notices that too.
Stuff Beginners Usually Get Wrong (So You Don’t)
Here’s what to not do:
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❌ Keyword stuffing. Sounds weird, feels weird. Don’t.
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❌ Long, messy paragraphs. Break it up. Use bullet points, headers, space.
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❌ Ignoring meta descriptions. That’s what people see in search results. Use it!
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❌ Bad URLs. “www.mysite.com/blog-post-2765” vs “/easy-vegan-meal-prep”
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❌ Never updating posts. Refreshing old stuff keeps it relevant (and ranks better)
How Long Does SEO Take to Work?
Ahhh, the big question. And yeah… the annoying answer is: it depends.
Sometimes you see results in a couple weeks. Sometimes it takes months. SEO is kind of a long game, but it’s worth it.
Once you’ve got a post ranking well on Google? That baby can bring in traffic for years. No joke.
Do You Need to Be an Expert to Do This?
Nope. You don’t need to be some marketing guru or SEO nerd.
If you can write a blog post, use Google, and follow simple checklists, you can totally do SEO. Just start with the basics. Learn as you go.
And honestly? You’ll probably mess up a few times. That’s normal. Don’t stress it.
Last Thing — Don’t Get Stuck Overthinking SEO
Here’s the deal: SEO sounds way more complicated than it is. If you’re just starting your blog or building your site, focus on creating helpful stuff first. Then slowly start learning the SEO side.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to be consistent.
SEO is kind of like planting seeds. Doesn’t grow overnight, but when it does? Game-changer.
So yeah. Write good stuff, use your keywords smart, stay curious. You got this.