SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page, which is the page a search engine displays in response to a user's query. This page lists the results the search engine deems most relevant to the user's query. Search results can include web pages, local listings, videos, images, news articles, and special features like knowledge graphs, snippets, and local business info.
Key aspects of SERP include:
- Organic Results: These are listings on a SERP that appear because of their relevance to the search terms, as opposed to their being advertisements. The search engine's algorithm determines organic results.
- Paid Results: These are paid ads at the top of search engine results. They are marked as ‘Ad' to distinguish them from organic results.
- Featured Snippets: These are short excerpts from a webpage that appear at the top of Google's search results to answer a user's query quickly.
- Local Pack: Local searches display a “local pack” with a map and a list of businesses and their contact details.
- Rankings: The order in which the results are displayed, typically with the most relevant results appearing first. The ranking is influenced by various factors, including SEO, the user's location, and past search behavior.
- User Experience: Modern SERPs are user-friendly with filters, tabs, and interactive features.
Businesses must understand SERPs to optimize their online content for SEO and SEM strategies. The layout and features of SERPs can vary significantly depending on the search engine and the type of query.
