What is SERP In Plain English
SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page. Here's what it means, what it includes, and why it matters for SEO.
In Plain English
SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page. It is the page you see after typing something into Google (or another search engine). A SERP shows a list of results that the search engine believes are most relevant to your query.
Think of it as the digital version of a shop window. When you search for “best running shoes,” the SERP is the display of options Google thinks will suit you best.
What Does a SERP Include?
A SERP isn’t just blue links anymore. It often contains:
- Organic results: regular website listings that earn their spot through SEO.
- Paid ads: results at the top or bottom marked with “Ad.”
- Featured snippets: highlighted answers pulled from websites.
- Knowledge panels: boxes with company or topic information.
- Local results: maps, business listings, and reviews.
Why SERPs Matter for SEO
Your website’s goal is to appear as high as possible in the SERP for searches relevant to your business. The higher you rank in the organic results, the more likely people will visit your site. Most users never click past the first page of results.
FAQs
Q: What does SERP stand for?
SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page.
Q: What is the difference between organic and paid results?
Organic results are earned through SEO, while paid results are advertisements that businesses pay for.
Q: Why don’t two people always see the same SERP?
Search engines personalise results based on factors such as location, device, and search history.