What is an SEO Periodic Table (and why should I care?)

Search engine optimization (SEO) can often seem like a cryptic, almost mystical process. However, when you break it down to its fundamental elements, it becomes more comprehensible. A unique method to visualize SEO's different facets is through the famous "SEO Periodic Table", used by clients and SEO consultants alike. As with the original periodic table of elements in chemistry, the SEO Periodic Table illustrates the key factors that contribute to successful SEO strategies.

Search Engine Land's SEO Periodic Table, as an example

What is the SEO Periodic Table?

The SEO Periodic Table is a conceptual tool that takes inspiration from the periodic table of elements. It organizes and categorizes the main components of SEO into a comprehensive, easy-to-understand format. Each 'element' on the table represents a fundamental factor that contributes to SEO success, with different 'groups' of elements referring to different aspects of SEO.

Elements of the SEO Periodic Table

The table consists of several main groups: On-page SEO, Off-page SEO, Violations, Blocking, and Emerging verticals. Let's explore these groups in more detail:

1. On-page SEO: These elements relate to factors you control directly on your website. 'Content' (Co) is an essential element here, referring to the quality, relevance, and freshness of your site's content. 'Keywords' (Kw) are another fundamental element, highlighting the need for appropriate, well-researched keywords. Other elements include 'Architecture' (Ar) that focuses on the technical build of your site, and 'HTML' (Ht) which includes title tags, meta descriptions, and headers.

2. Off-page SEO: These factors, while not directly under your control, significantly influence your site's SEO. 'Links' (Ln) are pivotal, reflecting the quantity and quality of other sites linking to yours. 'Trust' (Tr) relates to the reputation of your site, often influenced by the reliability of your content and the authority of sites linking to you. 'Social' (So) represents the impact of social media engagement on your site's visibility.

3. Violations: This group signifies actions that could lead to penalties from search engines, severely hampering your SEO efforts. 'Cloaking' (Cl) is one such element, denoting the deceptive practice of presenting different content to search engines than to users. Other elements like 'Keyword stuffing' (Ks) and 'Link buying' (Lb) also fall under this category.

4. Blocking: This group includes elements that prevent search engines from crawling or indexing your site. For example, 'Robot.txt' (Rt) refers to a file that tells search engine bots which parts of your site to crawl or ignore.

5. Emerging verticals: These are the new-age SEO elements that are rapidly growing in importance. 'Voice' (Vo) stands for voice search optimization, and 'Mobile' (Mo) represents mobile optimization, acknowledging the surge of mobile internet users.

Why is the SEO Periodic Table Important?

The SEO Periodic Table simplifies the complex world of SEO into manageable chunks. By looking at the table, you can quickly identify what factors you need to focus on for your website's SEO strategy. It also helps you understand the potential negative impacts of certain practices and for SEO consultants and agencies to get an idea of what the industry thinks is ranked highly by Google or otherwise.

It's important to note that just as the original periodic table has evolved over time, so does the SEO Periodic Table. As search engine algorithms change and new SEO techniques emerge, the table will adapt to include these updates. Different SEO tables exist from different providers and they don't exactly agree.

How to Use the SEO Periodic Table

Use the SEO Periodic Table as a checklist when developing or refining your SEO strategy. Analyze each element and consider how it applies to your website. Are you maximizing your on-page SEO elements? Are you avoiding violations? Are you ready for the emerging verticals?

Moreover, use it as a teaching tool for your team or for anyone new to SEO. It's a fantastic visual aid to help demystify the complexities of SEO.

Where do I find it?

As previously mentioned, there are several websites that provide an SEO Periodic Table and they are all slightly different.

Search Engine Land's table can be found here (registration required, sorry!) which is probably the most famous, but various other versions exist around the internet, in different formats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SEO Periodic Table is a comprehensive tool that breaks down the vast world of SEO into a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. By understanding and utilizing this table, you can refine your SEO strategy, avoid pitfalls, and stay ahead of emerging trends. It's a perfect roadmap for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of SEO.