In 2025, the world of SEO is evolving faster than ever, with new strategies emerging that many haven’t even heard of yet. Beyond the basics of on-page, off-page, and technical SEO, innovative approaches are reshaping how businesses optimize their online presence. In this blog, we’ll dive into these unique and groundbreaking types of SEO that can help you stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape.

16 SEO Types to Watch Out 

1. On-page SEO

As the name says, on-page SEO is a type of SEO that is applied and done within the sections of a website to optimize it for search engine rankings. On-page SEO generally focuses on the keywords of a website, which can be controlled by the website owner or an SEO expert. These include doing keyword research, writing content, publishing blog pages, optimizing the speed of a website, alternative text, headings, images, and a lot more.

In SEO, if you want to rank any website on top of Google, then on-page SEO plays 30% of the role. The rest of the SEO depends on off-page SEO and technical SEO. 

For example, if you’re creating a blog post about “top SEO strategies for 2024,” using the primary keyword “SEO strategies” in your title, the first paragraph, and strategically throughout the article will help it rank better in search results.

Besides, internal linking with do-follow links is also a part of on-page SEO strategy that many SEO experts and webmasters follow these days. Internal linking helps pass link juice from one web page to another, which significantly improves the ranking over time. Plus, Google has also made page speed and mobile friendliness of a website a core ranking factor. 

Key Elements: 

• Optimized meta tags (title, description)
• Content quality and keyword optimization
• Internal linking structure
• Image optimization (alt text, size)
• User experience (UX) and mobile friendliness

2. Off-Page SEO

Now here comes my personal favorite part of SEO, which is off-page SEO. Off-page SEO mostly involves creating high-quality and contextual backlinks on your website. Off-page SEO is done outside of your website to improve its ranking on the search engine result page. In SEO, more than 50% of the ranking of any website is determined by how strong backlinks are built on any site. A higher number of high-quality backlinks will result in better rankings.

For instance, if a reputable tech blog links to your article about “best eCommerce platforms,” that backlink increases the authority of your site and can lead to higher rankings. 

Some other off-page SEO strategies include social media promotion of content, where you can share and promote content or blogs on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to increase its reach and visibility. Another popular method that most people leverage is guest posting, outreach, and ABC link exchange campaigns, which give 100% results. I am personally a big fan of link exchanges because they increase ranking on the overall authority of the website in a quick time. 

While leveraging link exchanges, make sure you don’t overdo it and avoid reciprocal link exchanges.

Effective off-page SEO strengthens the overall credibility of your site, signaling to search engines that it is a reliable source of information.

Key Elements: 

• Quality backlinks
• Social media marketing
• Influencer outreach
• Guest blogging
• Brand mentions

3. Technical SEO

Technical SEO is a type of SEO that focuses mostly on the crawling and indexing of a website. It is done in order to improve the crawl budget of a website so that search engine bots can index the maximum number of pages. It includes making a proper site structure, improving the page speed, ensuring the website is mobile friendly, and creating robots.txt and sitemap files, which help search engines find and index all the important pages of a website.

For example, a site with a complex structure might prevent certain pages from being indexed by accident, which can hurt its ranking potential. Additionally, improving page load times by compressing images, using a Content Delivery Network (CDN), and minifying CSS and JavaScript files can positively impact both the user experience and search rankings.

You also need to ensure that your site is mobile friendly with responsive and smooth design, as Google prefers mobile first indexing. Technical SEO might not be visible to the users as on-page and off-page SEO, but it is important from the search engine point of view.

Key elements: 

• Site speed optimization
• XML sitemap
• Crawlability and indexability
• HTTPS security
• Structured data (Schema markup)

4. Local SEO

As the name says it all, local SEO is a type of SEO mostly done by small-scale local business owners who want to rank their website on top of Google for location-specific keywords. Local SEO is generally done by restaurants, plumbers, or small retail store owners. For example, if you run a coffee shop in New York, local SEO ensures that when someone searches “coffee shop near me,” your business appears in the top results.

To improve local SEO, businesses should claim and optimize their Google My Business listing, ensuring all information like address, phone number, and business hours is accurate. Additionally, incorporating location-specific keywords in your website’s content, such as “best coffee shop in New York,” and acquiring positive local reviews can significantly improve visibility.

Another important aspect is getting listed in local directories and earning local backlinks from websites in the same region. By optimizing for local SEO, businesses can increase foot traffic, calls, and online inquiries from people searching within their locality.

Key Elements: 

• Google My Business (GMB) optimization
• Local citations
• Customer reviews management
• Localized content and keywords
• NAP consistency (name, address, phone)

5. White-hat SEO

White-hat SEO is the most legitimate type of SEO practice that Google promotes and encourages all webmasters and SEO experts to follow this practice for better rankings. White-hat SEO involves adhering to the guidelines prescribed by search engines and focusing on providing helpful content to the users. 

The white-hat techniques are sustainable and ensure long-term SEO results without the risk of getting a website penalized by search engines like Google. Some of the popular white-hat SEO techniques include creating high-quality content, optimizing the site for user experience, and acquiring contextual backlinks from reputed sites.

For instance, if you’re optimizing a site for a law firm, creating in-depth articles about legal advice and targeting relevant keywords will help improve visibility without resorting to manipulation. Another common white-hat tactic is improving website accessibility and usability, such as making sure your site is mobile-friendly and fast-loading.

White-hat SEO techniques help to build trust with search engines and users. The aim of this type of SEO is to ensure slow and organic results by focusing on quality over quantity in terms of both content and backlinks. 

Key Elements:

• High-quality content creation
• Ethical link-building strategies
• User-focused design and UX
• Proper keyword research and usage
• Transparency in practices

6. Black Hat SEO

Black-hat SEO is the opposite of white-hat SEO. It includes practices and unethical strategies to manipulate search engine rankings by violating the guidelines of search engines. The aim of black-hat SEO is to improve the rankings in quick time with less SEO efforts. However, such a type of SEO has a high risk of getting a website penalized by a search engine or getting a site completely deindexed.

Common black hat techniques include keyword stuffing, where a page is loaded with irrelevant or excessive keywords in an attempt to rank higher, and cloaking, which involves presenting different content to search engine crawlers than what users see.

Another example of black hat technique is the buying and selling of links from private blog networks. Buying links from high-quality sites is allowed and permitted, but buying cheap links might take your website downhill. You can consider buying links from real business and SaaS websites. Black-hat SEO techniques give good results in the short term, but the result won’t last for long.

In my personal opinion, you should avoid black-hat SEO.

Key Elements: 

• Keyword stuffing
• Cloaking
• Spammy backlinks
• Hidden text or links
• PBN (Private Blog Networks)

7. Grey Hat SEO

Grey hat SEO type is the combination of white hat and black hat SEO which includes practices that are not against the search engine guidelines but are still considered manipulative and could potentially lead to penalty from search engine like Google. Grey hat SEO offers quick results that white hat SEO without extreme risk associated with the black hat SEO, but they carry elements of uncertainalty.

Grey hat SEO is the combination of white hat and black hat SEO which includes practices that are not against the search engine guidelines but are still considered manipulative and could potentially lead to penalties from search engines like Google. Grey hat SEO offers quicker results than white hat SEO without the extreme risk associated with black hat SEO, but they carry elements of uncertainty.

Examples of grey hat SEO include excessive link exchanges, using clickbait to drive traffic, or creating pages with duplicate content but tweaking them slightly to appear unique. Another example is leveraging Private Blog Networks (PBNs), where a group of websites is created solely to build backlinks to a primary site to improve its ranking.

While grey hat techniques may not immediately lead to penalties, they operate in a murky area, and search engines are constantly updating algorithms to penalize sites using manipulative tactics. The risk of grey hat SEO is that what works today may not work tomorrow, and as search engines evolve, strategies that were once borderline acceptable could become grounds for penalties. Therefore, it’s a short-term strategy with uncertain long-term outcomes.

Key Elements: 

• Clickbait headlines
• Link buying (non-compliant)
• Duplicate content
• Manipulative guest posts
• Article spinning

8. WordPress SEO

WordPress powers more than 40% of all websites globally, making it the most popular content management system (CMS). Due to its versatility, WordPress is widely used by businesses, bloggers, and e-commerce platforms, but optimizing it for SEO requires careful attention. WordPress is highly SEO-friendly out of the box, especially with tools and plugins such as Yoast SEO and All in One SEO, which make it easier to manage meta tags, keywords, and content readability. 

These plugins help streamline SEO tasks like optimizing meta descriptions, titles, and image alt texts, which are crucial for ranking well in search engines. Additionally, WordPress is known for its customizable nature, allowing users to control almost every element of SEO, such as URL structures, page load speeds, and mobile responsiveness—factors that Google uses to rank websites.

Popular case study to read for WordPress SEO:  WPBeginner showed a 300% increase in organic traffic over a year after applying SEO best practices like optimizing content with Yoast, improving internal linking, and making the site mobile-responsive.

Key Elements:

• SEO plugins (Yoast, RankMath)
• Custom permalinks
• Optimized theme performance
• Image and media compression
• Internal linking via widgets

9. Amazon SEO

Amazon SEO operates in a completely different landscape compared to traditional SEO for search engines like Google. Instead of prioritizing backlinks, content depth, or user engagement, Amazon’s A9 algorithm focuses on a product’s relevance and sales performance to determine its ranking on search results. The key to mastering Amazon SEO lies in understanding how to optimize product listings to meet both customer search intent and Amazon’s internal performance metrics.

The most critical element of Amazon SEO is the product title. Well-optimized titles that include relevant keywords, brand names, and primary product features improve a product’s discoverability. However, balancing keyword stuffing with readability is important—titles should be clear and compelling to potential buyers. Additionally, Amazon allows sellers to input backend search terms, where relevant keywords can be added without cluttering the visible product description.

Here’s an example of a perfect product title on Amazon.

Another important ranking factor is product reviews and ratings. Products with higher ratings and more reviews tend to rank better because they signal to Amazon’s algorithm that customers trust and value the product. As a result, Amazon often promotes these listings higher in search results, believing that they are more likely to convert.

Fact about Amazon SEO: Jungle Scout ran an experiment where a seller optimized product titles and descriptions with long-tail keywords, resulting in a 24% increase in monthly sales and a boost in product ranking within the Amazon search results.

Key Elements: 

• Product title optimization
• Backend search terms
• High-quality images and descriptions
• Product reviews and ratings
• Competitive pricing strategy

10. Shopify SEO

Shopify SEO is essential for online store owners who want to drive organic traffic and improve visibility on search engines. Unlike platforms like WordPress, Shopify is designed specifically for e-commerce, which makes SEO optimization slightly different. For starters, Shopify automatically generates a clean URL structure and includes mobile-responsive design, which is important because Google now prioritizes mobile-first indexing. However, Shopify’s default URL structure (such as “/collections/”) is not always ideal for SEO, and store owners may need to take extra steps to ensure their URLs are optimized.

Product pages are critical to SEO success on Shopify. Each product needs a well-crafted title, description, and meta tags that include target keywords without overstuffing. Utilizing the product’s name and its main features in the title and description ensures relevance for search queries. Shopify also allows for adding alt text to images, which is an essential practice for improving a store’s visibility in Google’s image search results.

Here’s the perfect product title and description for Shopify:

Key Elements: 

• Product page SEO
• URL structure optimization
• Mobile-responsive design
• Meta tags and alt text
• Site speed and performance

11. Enterprise SEO

Enterprise SEO involves optimizing websites with large volumes of content, complex site structures, and, often, millions of pages. Because of the sheer size and complexity, Enterprise SEO requires a more sophisticated and scalable approach than regular SEO. Large businesses, especially those in e-commerce, publishing, or other content-heavy industries, depend heavily on SEO strategies that not only cover technical aspects but also content optimization at scale. 

For example, a multinational company with multiple subdomains and regional websites would need to focus on optimizing each website separately while ensuring a unified SEO strategy across the board.

The technical foundation of an enterprise website is crucial for successful SEO. Regular technical audits are necessary to detect and fix issues such as broken links, poor URL structures, crawl errors, and duplicate content, all of which can negatively affect search engine rankings. Automation tools, such as BrightEdge and Botify, are essential for managing this process, as they help automate tasks like crawling and indexing, identify technical SEO issues, and monitor keyword performance.

Key Elements: 

• Large-scale keyword research
• Automation tools and workflows
• Cross-departmental collaboration
• Scalability of content strategies
• Data-driven decision making

12. Ecommerce SEO

Ecommerce SEO is the practice of optimizing an online store to make it more visible in search engine results. Given the competitive nature of eCommerce, SEO plays a crucial role in driving traffic, increasing conversions, and boosting sales. Effective eCommerce SEO involves optimizing product pages by using high-quality images, detailed product descriptions, and strategic keyword placement in titles, meta descriptions, and product categories. 

For example, if you’re selling running shoes, your product page should include keywords like “best running shoes for men” or “comfortable running shoes for women.” It’s also important to optimize for long-tail keywords that match specific customer queries, such as “lightweight running shoes for marathon training.” In addition to optimizing product pages, creating an intuitive site structure that allows both users and search engines to easily navigate through product categories is vital.

Ecommerce sites should also focus on generating product reviews, as user-generated content can improve SEO and build trust with potential customers. Additionally, implementing technical SEO elements like a fast-loading site, secure checkout processes, and mobile optimization are crucial for both ranking and user experience. With the growing reliance on online shopping, eCommerce SEO is essential for businesses looking to stand out in crowded marketplaces.

Here’s how the reviews should look:

Key Elements: 

• Product schema markup
• User-friendly navigation
• Customer reviews optimization
• Mobile Optimization
• Secure checkout processes (HTTPS)

13. Saas SEO

SaaS  is a type of SEO which focuses on driving organic traffic to software platforms, often targeting both businesses and individual users. Given the digital nature of SaaS products, Saas SEO  strategies are fine-tuned to attract potential customers who are looking for software solutions online. One of the most effective approaches to SaaS SEO is developing in-depth, authoritative content that demonstrates a company’s expertise in solving specific pain points and creating high-quality backlinks from real business website.

SaaS companies often rely heavily on content marketing, using blog posts, case studies, whitepapers, and how-to guides to attract their target audience. 

For example, a company offering project management software might create long-form blog posts targeting keywords like “best project management tools” or “how to improve team collaboration.” This not only helps attract organic traffic but also builds credibility in the software’s niche.

Because many SaaS products operate on a subscription or freemium model, the SEO strategy also involves optimizing landing pages for conversions. 

These landing pages often target highly specific long-tail keywords that focus on users looking to try the software before buying. Clear, concise copy, calls to action (CTAs), and user testimonials are essential to make these pages effective. 

Additionally, SaaS SEO also involves optimizing product features and pricing pages to ensure they rank well for both branded and non-branded keywords.

Key Strategies for SaaS SEO

• Content Marketing: Developing detailed blog posts, case studies, and whitepapers helps build topical authority.
• Freemium Model SEO: Many SaaS companies offer free versions of their software, optimizing landing pages to target trial and freemium users.
• Backlink Building: Securing backlinks from authoritative tech websites and blogs strengthens domain authority and boosts search rankings.

Key Elements:

• Funnel-focused content (TOFU, MOFU, BOFU)
• Case studies and customer testimonials
• Keyword targeting for specific pain points
• Scalable link-building strategies
• Software-specific technical SEO (load speed)

14. Etsy SEO

Etsy SEO is a crucial component for sellers on the platform who want their products to stand out among the millions of handmade, vintage, and custom items available. Etsy’s internal search engine operates on a different algorithm than traditional search engines, focusing on product relevance and listing quality as primary ranking factors. Therefore, optimizing product listings is essential for increasing visibility and sales.

To succeed in Etsy SEO, sellers must first focus on keyword optimization in product titles, descriptions, and tags. Etsy’s search engine scans these elements to determine if a product matches a user’s search query. Unlike Google, where backlinks and content authority play a huge role, Etsy focuses on how well a product is described and tagged.

A perfect product an title on Etsy must look like this:

Sellers should use relevant keywords that accurately describe their products but also appeal to how customers search. For example, a seller offering handmade jewelry might include keywords like “boho earrings” or “custom gemstone necklace” in the title and description.

Another important aspect of Etsy SEO is utilizing the 13 available product tags effectively. These tags should include variations and related terms for each product, ensuring that listings appear in as many relevant searches as possible. 

In addition to keyword optimization, the quality of images, product descriptions, and customer reviews also plays a vital role in ranking. High-quality, visually appealing images increase click-through rates, while detailed and clear descriptions improve conversions.

Etsy also factors in the overall listing quality score, which reflects how well a product has performed in terms of views, favorites, and sales. This means sellers should focus not only on SEO but also on creating compelling product pages that encourage buyers to click and purchase. 

Additionally, consistent positive reviews and high customer satisfaction scores improve a listing’s visibility in search results. By continuously optimizing listings, testing different keywords, and maintaining high-quality products, Etsy sellers can improve their rankings and grow their business organically.

Example of Etsy product review

Key Elements:

• Tag optimization
• Product title keywords
• Effective shop descriptions
• Favorable product reviews
• Inventory management for SEO

15. YouTube SEO

YouTube has over 2.1 billion active users globally, making it the second-largest search engine after Google. With such a vast audience, mastering YouTube SEO type is critical for content creators and businesses looking to grow their visibility. 

YouTube’s search algorithm heavily relies on several key ranking factors, such as watch time, engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares), and video optimization (title, description, tags). Videos that rank higher typically receive more views and have longer viewer retention, which is crucial because YouTube prioritizes content that keeps users on the platform for longer periods.

One essential aspect of YouTube SEO is optimizing video titles and descriptions with relevant keywords. Research shows that 90% of the top-ranking videos on YouTube have titles that include an exact match of the target keyword (Backlinko, 2022). Additionally, tags help YouTube’s algorithm categorize and rank videos, so including a mix of general and long-tail keywords can improve discoverability. Closed captions and transcripts can further enhance rankings by making content accessible to a wider audience and improving keyword relevance for search engines.

Here’s the perfect example of YouTube title:

In terms of engagement, studies have shown that videos with higher likes, shares, and comments tend to outperform others in search results.  

Key Elements: 

• Video title and description optimization
• High-quality thumbnail
• Tags and categories
• Closed captions for better indexing
• User engagement metrics (likes, comments)

16. Bing SEO

Though Google dominates the search engine market, Bing holds a solid share, with 6.7% of global desktop searches as of 2023 (StatCounter, 2023). This share increases significantly in specific regions like the United States, where Bing powers over 36% of desktop searches, largely due to its integration with Windows and default settings in Microsoft Edge (ComScore, 2022). 

For businesses looking to diversify their traffic sources, optimizing for Bing SEO type can yield substantial benefits, especially since competition is often lower than on Google.

Bing’s search algorithm differs slightly from Google’s. For instance, Bing places greater emphasis on on-page SEO, particularly the exact matching of keywords in titles and meta descriptions. Unlike Google, Bing prefers longer content, with research suggesting that top-ranking pages on Bing often exceed 2,000 words. 

Additionally, while backlinks are important for Bing SEO, it tends to value older, more authoritative domains with established link profiles more highly than Google does.

Bing also places a significant focus on social signals from platforms like Facebook and Twitter. A study by Search Engine Journal found that Bing incorporates social media shares into its ranking factors, which means that content that performs well socially may also rank higher in Bing’s search results. Businesses and content creators optimizing for Bing should focus on comprehensive on-page optimization, building long-term backlinks, and leveraging social media to improve visibility.

Key Elements: 

• Keyword optimization (less competitive than Google)
• Bing Webmaster Tools
• Meta tags and site structure
• Image optimization (Bing Image Search)
• Backlink quality and quantity

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