SERP

What is SERP?

In the SEO industry, SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page. It's the page you see after entering a query into a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. SERPs are vital in SEO because they determine which websites get the most traffic based on their positioning. A SERP typically contains a mix of organic search results, paid advertisements, and sometimes other features like knowledge panels, maps, or shopping results. SEO professionals aim to optimize websites to rank higher on SERPs because higher rankings generally lead to more visibility and, consequently, more traffic. Understanding how SERPs work and what features they contain can help in creating a more effective SEO strategy.

Search Engine Results Page

Examples

When you search 'best Italian restaurants in New York,' the SERP will show a combination of organic listings, probably from review sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor, and paid ads from restaurants.

If you type 'weather in San Francisco,' the SERP will likely display a weather widget at the top, followed by organic results from weather websites like Weather.com or AccuWeather.

Additional Information

SERPs are constantly evolving, with new features and types of content being added regularly.

Voice search and mobile-first indexing are significantly affecting how SERPs are displayed and interacted with.

References

What Is a SERP and Why Does It Matter for SEO? - WebFX

What Are SERPs & Why Are They Important for SEO? - Backlinko

What Are SERPs and Why Are They Critical for SEO? | SEO.co