Organic Search Results definition
The order in which websites appear when a search engine is queried. Search engines rank websites based on a range of metrics, such as site load time and keyword distribution on the site. These metrics are given different weightings and form part of complex algorithms that drive the organic search results.
Businesses and specialist agencies attempt to manipulate organic search rankings through search engine optimisation (SEO), which seeks to improve a site’s performance on particular metrics.
Organic search results differ from pay-per-click (PPC) search results, which are at a basic level ranked using an auction format – the highest bidder occupies the top spot, with the second highest bidder in number two position.