The 10 SEO Terms That Confuse Therapists (and What They Really Mean)
If you're a therapist who feels overwhelmed by SEO lingo, you’re not alone. I get it! It can feel like a foreign language!
But a little understanding goes a long way toward improving your website’s visibility, which means more clients (who need your help!) finding you.
Let’s break down the 10 most confusing SEO terms and make them easy to understand (and use!).
1. What is a Title Tag?
What It Is: A title tag is simply the headline for your web page. It shows up in search results and browser tabs as the page title.
Why It’s Confusing: "Title tag" sounds technical, but think of it as just a catchy headline for each page on your site.
Why It Matters for SEO: It helps search engines (and potential clients!) understand what your page is all about. Having a clear, relevant title makes it more likely people will click on your link.
Example: “Anxiety Therapy in Austin - Find Relief with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy”
Quick Tip: Use your primary keyword and keep it under 60 characters to make sure it displays well in search results.
2. What is a Meta Description?
What It Is: This is the brief description that appears below your title in search results.
Why It’s Confusing: Many people think the meta description doesn’t matter, but it’s actually a key part of attracting clicks.
Why It Matters for SEO: It’s your chance to “sell” your page, giving potential clients a reason to click on your site. Think of it as a mini-ad for your page.
Example: “Discover how anxiety therapy can help you regain control. Book a consultation today with a licensed Austin therapist.”
Quick Tip: Include a call to action (like “Book a consultation”) and keep it under 160 characters to make sure it doesn’t get cut off.
3. What is Alt Text?
What It Is: Alt text is the descriptive text you add to images on your website.
Why It’s Confusing: It’s easy to overlook, but alt text is essential for both SEO and accessibility.
Why It Matters for SEO: Alt text helps search engines understand what’s in your images, which can increase your chances of appearing in image searches. It also improves the experience for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers.
Example: “Therapist in session with client during CBT therapy for anxiety.
Quick Tip: Use specific, relevant keywords and describe the image accurately.
4. What is User Experience (UX)?
What It Is: UX is all about how people feel when they visit and navigate your website.
Why It’s Confusing: "User experience" sounds vague, but really, it’s about making your website easy and pleasant to use.
Why It Matters for SEO: A user-friendly site keeps visitors engaged longer, which signals to search engines that your site is valuable. Google rewards this with better rankings.
Example: A mobile-friendly site with simple navigation and a clear path to book a consultation
Quick Tip: Make sure your site loads quickly, is easy to read on mobile, and has simple navigation.
5. What is a Backlink?
What It Is: A backlink is a link from another website that points to your site.
Why It’s Confusing: “Backlink” sounds complex, but it’s simply when another site links to yours.
Why It Matters for SEO: Backlinks act as endorsements for your site. If credible, relevant sites link to you, Google sees this as a sign that your site is trustworthy and relevant.
Example: A local mental health blog linking to your site in an article about EMDR therapy.
Quick Tip: Aim to earn backlinks from sites that are credible and relevant to mental health and wellness.
6. What is a Keyword?
What It Is: Keywords are the words or phrases that people type into search engines when they’re looking for something. As a therapist, these might be terms like “trauma therapy,” “child counselor,” or “couples therapy in Seattle.”
Why It Matters for SEO: Using relevant keywords throughout your website helps search engines connect your site with people who are looking for the exact services you offer.
Quick Tip: Choose keywords that match the specific services you provide and the location you serve, like “grief counseling in Chicago.”
7. What is Keyword Density?
What It Is: This refers to how often a keyword appears on a webpage in relation to the total word count.
Why It Matters for SEO: Overloading a page with keywords can hurt your ranking (this is called “keyword stuffing”), but sprinkling them naturally throughout your content can help search engines understand the topic of your page.
Quick Tip: Use keywords naturally in your writing. Avoid forcing them into every other sentence.
8. What is an Internal Link?
What It Is: These are links on your website that connect one page to another page within your site.
Why It Matters for SEO: Internal links help search engines understand the structure of your website and guide users to relevant content, improving their experience on your site.
Quick Tip: Add links within your blog posts to other parts of your site (like linking a blog on anxiety to your anxiety therapy service page).
9. What is Page Speed?
What It Is: Page speed is how quickly your website loads for visitors.
Why It Matters for SEO: Search engines, especially Google, reward fast-loading websites with better rankings. Slow-loading sites can frustrate visitors, leading them to leave quickly.
Quick Tip: Use compressed images and limit plugins to help improve your site’s speed.
10. What is Search Intent?
What It Is: Search intent is the reason behind a searcher’s query, such as wanting information, finding a location, making a purchase, or FINDING A THERAPIST!
Why It Matters for SEO: Understanding what people want when they search for something like “anxiety therapy near me” can help you create content that answers their questions and matches their needs.
Quick Tip: Tailor your content to meet different intents. If someone searches “What is EMDR?” they’re likely looking for information, so a blog post explaining EMDR therapy would be helpful.
SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding just a few key terms (looking at you, title tags, meta descriptions, and alt text), you can start making small changes that can lead to more people finding your site.
And if you need help, let’s talk! Sometimes, getting a bit of guidance can make all the difference.
Talk soon!
XOXO,
Ashley, LCSW – Your mental health copywriting BFF ;)
