Understanding SEO can be overwhelming with so many terms and concepts floating around. Here’s a glossary of key SEO terms that every marketer or website owner should know:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
   SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website to improve its visibility in search engine results, aiming to drive organic (non-paid) traffic.

2. Keyword
   A keyword is a word or phrase that users type into a search engine when looking for information. Targeting the right keywords is critical for SEO success.

3. SERP (Search Engine Results Page)
   The SERP is the page that search engines display in response to a user's query. It includes organic results, paid ads, featured snippets, and other elements.

4. Backlinks
   Backlinks are links from other websites pointing to your site. High-quality backlinks from authoritative sites are one of the most important ranking factors for search engines.

5. On-Page SEO
   On-page SEO refers to the strategies implemented directly on your website to improve its ranking. This includes optimizing content, title tags, header tags, images, and URLs.

6. Off-Page SEO
   Off-page SEO involves external factors, primarily backlinks, that influence your site's ranking. It also includes social media activity, influencer marketing, and online reputation.

7. Meta Description
   A meta description is a short summary of a webpage's content, displayed below the title in search results. While not a direct ranking factor, it helps improve click-through rates.

8. Alt Text
   Alt text is a description added to images on your website. It helps search engines understand what the image is about and improves accessibility for visually impaired users.

9. Anchor Text
   Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. Optimizing anchor text with relevant keywords helps search engines understand the context of the linked page.

10. Page Speed
    Page speed refers to how fast a webpage loads. Faster-loading pages improve user experience and are favored by search engines, which may rank them higher.

11. CTR (Click-Through Rate)
    CTR is the percentage of people who click on a search result after seeing it. A higher CTR often indicates that your title and meta description are compelling.

12. Bounce Rate
    Bounce rate is the percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate may signal that your content isn’t engaging enough.

By understanding these key SEO terms, you'll be better equipped to implement effective SEO strategies and improve your website's performance.