SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving a website so it appears higher in search engine results like Google, without paying for ads. Google uses automated programs called “crawlers” to scan billions of web pages and understand what each page is about. It then ranks pages using hundreds of factors — including content quality, website speed, mobile-friendliness, and how many other trusted websites link back to that page. The higher your website ranks for a relevant search term, the more free (organic) traffic you get. SEO is a long-term strategy, but it builds trust and visibility that paid ads can’t match once you stop paying for them.