Search engine optimization (SEO) is a very complex topic that involves many different factors. Since the majority of website access on the Internet is initially via a search engine such as Google, Bing or Yahoo, the optimization of websites in order to be found as quickly and easily as possible in search engines is becoming an increasingly high priority. The position in which a page appears in a search engine depends on many different factors. The fact is that the click rate on the first entry after entering the desired search terms on Google is statistically over 70%. There are many highly frequented websites that get their visitors mainly from search engines such as Google. However, before optimizing a website, the status quo must first be determined to what extent the site is already suitable for good positions in search engines. This article describes how you can do this yourself.
Latest news on the topic of SEO/GEO
22.05.2026The term SEO is currently undergoing fundamental change. While classic search engine optimization remains important, so-called GEO strategies ("Generative Engine Optimization") brings a new form of visibility to the fore. This refers to the optimization of content for AI systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini or other generative search assistants. The embedded video explains in practical terms why structured content, high information density, clear tables, direct answers and semantic correlations are becoming more important today than pure backlink strategies.
GEO for beginners („AI SEO“ 2026): Simple tutorial to get mentioned by ChatGPT | WPerformance
What is particularly interesting is that many principles that were already valid for good search engine optimization over ten years ago are suddenly gaining renewed importance thanks to AI systems. Older specialist articles with substance, clear structures and real information in particular could become more valuable in the long term than short-term advertising content or superficial social media posts. The shift from traditional SEO to GEO is an impressive demonstration of how digital visibility is currently changing.
Researching keywords - play "dumb".
Before any analysis, it is important to find out which search terms you want your website to be found for in a search engine. It is not a matter of naming particularly sonorous technical terms (hardly anyone searches for „indicative degeneration of the establishment according to the principle of successive approximation“), but it is important to put yourself in the position of the target group when researching suitable keywords. It is often helpful to give relatives or employees the task of compiling a list of suitable keywords. You should keep a close eye on the most frequently mentioned keywords after the evaluation and note them down in descending order of priority.
Quick check: Content on your website
In this article, I will initially only discuss the information that is relevant for search engines. In addition, there are other important topics such as legal certainty in order to make the website or online store largely warning-proof - however, these topics would go beyond the scope of this article, so I would rather address other important topics in a later article.
When they visit your website, they should first get a positive visual impression of the site. Obtaining the opinions of third parties also helps here. Now we come to some details. A very important note at this point: Bsearch engine optimization is not just about your homepage, but about all (!) pages. Google indexes each page individually, so the following tips apply to ALL pages of your website.
Onsite optimization
- Title tag - Technical term for the title of your website. The title is the text that is displayed at the top of the title bar of your browser window. The keywords you have written down should appear here as often and as far forward as possible. Do not write more than approx. 70-100 characters in the title. The basic rule is: as few words as possible, but as comprehensible as possible. When writing the text, remember that the page will be read by people and should only be (largely) optimized for search engines. If possible, put the name of your website at the back and the search terms that you think will be most successful at the front.
- Image descriptions - There is a so-called "alt tag" for images that allows an alternative text for images. You can read this text in modern internet browsers when you move the mouse over an image element. If no text appears when the mouse is moved over the image, no alt tag has been set - a pity, because you should use this with a description of the image using important keywords. The advantage of this information for the search engine is that it can index the content of the image in words.
- Link title - A title can be assigned to each link on your website - an important opportunity to include search-relevant keywords. The link title provides the search engine with a better topic-relevant assignment of the link. You can see the link title by moving the mouse over the link. If a text appears in a (usually yellow) text field with your important search terms, everything is OK. If this is not the case, you should make improvements at this point.
- First words on your website - Pay attention to which words are mentioned first on your website. Again, your favorite keywords should be at the top of your page if possible.
- Footer of your website - the footer of your website should once again display the most important links (e.g. imprint, contact etc.) and also contain the most important of your search terms.
The above examples naturally apply not only to the homepage of your website, but also to all subpages. Every single (sub)page of your website is recorded by a search engine and sorted according to relevance. Always remember to use as few words as possible in order to achieve maximum impact. Imagine a search engine giving your site a total score divided by the number of words on the site. Thus, the fewer words on your website, the more weight is given to each word. At the same time, the page must above all be easy to read for the user. So create good content that is easy to understand and written in good German and make sure that your most important keywords are at the beginning of the page content if possible.
Other - The domain age can certainly play a role in the listing of a website, but cannot be influenced. Wikipedia and DMOZ are more of a "nice-to-have" because not every site is included in these portals.
Further SEO measures for your website
This article only deals with a small part of search engine optimization, which should also enable beginners to carry out an initial analysis of their website. However, a complete optimization includes many other factors - both with regard to your website itself (onsite optimization) and external factors (offsite optimization). I will be happy to discuss other search engine optimization topics in subsequent articles. I hope you enjoyed our "first foray" into search engine optimization and would be delighted if you stay tuned to my articles.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is search engine optimization still relevant after many years?
For many people, search engines are still the most important entry point to the internet. Even though social networks, AI systems and platforms have gained in importance, a large proportion of information searches still begin via Google or other search systems. This is why SEO remains relevant in the long term. The 2011 article already shows that good content, clear structures and technical cleanliness are crucial. What is particularly interesting is that many of the basic principles from back then still apply today - despite all the technological changes. - What does the article mean by „status quo“ of a website?
This refers to the current status of a website from a search engine perspective. Before optimizing a page, you should first analyse how visible it already is, which search terms work, how quickly the page loads and whether content is indexed correctly at all. The article describes this step as the basis for any meaningful optimization. Without an inventory, you are practically flying blind. - Why is good content more important than pure advertising?
Advertising often only generates short-term attention. Good content, on the other hand, can bring visitors for years to come. This is also shown by older articles, which are still found and read despite their age. A specialist article can therefore build up long-term visibility and create trust. Especially in times of AI and automated search systems, structured content with substance is becoming increasingly important. - What role do search terms play for a website?
Search terms are the link between users and content. If a website does not contain the terms that people are actually searching for, it will often not be found. The article therefore explains why headlines, page titles and content should be formulated in an understandable way. This is not about artificial „keyword stuffing“, but about comprehensible language and clear topic structures. - Why is organic reach more valuable in the long term?
Organic reach develops slowly, but is often more stable. Visitors come via search engines, links or recommendations - not via paid campaigns. This creates long-term digital property in the form of findable content. Companies in particular benefit from this because they can become independent of constantly rising advertising costs. - Has SEO changed due to AI systems?
Yes, but not completely. AI systems primarily change the way content is evaluated and summarized. Nevertheless, AI systems also need high-quality sources. That's why good articles, structured content and clean websites remain important. The difference today is that content is not only read by humans, but also processed by AI systems. - Why do many old SEO principles still work today?
Because search engines ultimately continue to pursue the same goal: to find relevant content for users. Good structure, clear topics, understandable language and meaningful links still help today. Modern algorithms may have become much more complex, but the basic logic of high-quality content has hardly changed. This is precisely why the article from 2011 seems surprisingly relevant today. - Why does the article mention the click-through rate on the first search results?
Because visibility depends heavily on the position in search engines. Users mainly click on the first results. Therefore, even a small improvement in ranking can have a big impact on visitor numbers. The article points out that top positions often receive the majority of traffic. This makes SEO particularly economically interesting for companies. - What significance do your own websites still have today?
Own websites are even becoming more important again. Platforms and social networks offer reach, but no real control. Your own website, on the other hand, remains permanently in your own possession. Content can be maintained, expanded and linked in the long term. It is precisely this difference between reach and ownership that is becoming increasingly important today. - Why do some specialist articles age surprisingly well?
Because fundamental principles are often timeless. Technical details may change, but strategic correlations remain. For example, the article shows early on how important visibility, structure and search engine understanding are. As a result, the text today almost seems like an early description of many developments that only became massively relevant years later. - What distinguishes sustainable SEO from short-term tricks?
Short-term tricks often try to artificially manipulate search engines. Sustainable SEO, on the other hand, relies on genuine content, technical cleanliness and long-term benefits for readers. Search engines recognize artificial methods much better today than in the past. This is why stable content and thematic authority are becoming increasingly important. - Why does the old SEO article fit well into today's world?
Because it describes a fundamental problem that is more relevant today than ever: visibility does not arise by chance. Modern AI systems also need sources, content and structures. Looking back, the article therefore shows very well how early certain developments were already recognizable. What is particularly interesting is that many of the recommendations made back then do not seem any less relevant today - in some cases, they have even become more important.
Well explained, even if Seitwert.de is not the yellow of the egg when it comes to website checks. But useful for the "normal" store operator and sufficient.