Types of SEO

There is no single rulebook that defines the types of SEO, and you will often find different interpretations of how SEO is categorized. What matters most is understanding how SEO is practiced across different business needs and platforms. To make this easier, we have grouped SEO into five broad categories: Core SEO, Local SEO, International SEO, Platform SEO, and Specialized SEOs.

Let’s dive in.

Core SEO

Broadly, Core SEO consists of three essential areas: On-Page SEO, Off-Page SEO, and Technical SEO. Anyone starting to learn SEO must understand these three types, as they form the foundation of how websites appear on search engines.

On-Page SEO focuses on content, keywords, headings, internal linking, and overall page structure. Off-Page SEO is about building trust and authority through backlinks, brand mentions, and external signals. Technical SEO ensures the website loads fast, is easy for search engines to crawl, and functions smoothly across devices. Every other type of SEO builds on this core.

Local SEO

Local SEO helps businesses appear in search results when users look for services “near me” or within a specific city or region. It focuses on optimizing Google Business Profiles, local keywords, customer reviews, and location-based content.

Businesses such as clinics, gyms, and coaching centres rely heavily on Local SEO to attract nearby customers who are ready to take action. It is especially important for service-based businesses operating within a defined geographic area.

International SEO

International SEO is used when a business targets users across multiple countries or languages. It helps search engines understand which version of a website should be shown to users in different regions.

This involves using country-specific domains or folders, language targeting, and technical signals such as hreflang tags. Without proper International SEO, the wrong audience may see the wrong content, leading to poor user experience and missed opportunities.

Programmatic SEO

Programmatic SEO uses automation and structured data to create hundreds or even thousands of SEO-friendly pages at scale. These pages follow predefined templates and usually target long-tail keywords.

This approach works best for platforms, marketplaces, and data-driven websites. When implemented correctly, Programmatic SEO allows businesses to scale organic traffic efficiently without manually creating every page.

Affiliate SEO

Affiliate SEO focuses on ranking content that promotes third-party products or services and earns commissions. Common formats include product reviews, comparisons, buying guides, and “best of” lists.

Success in Affiliate SEO depends heavily on search intent, content quality, trust, and authority. This type of SEO is commonly used by bloggers, niche website owners, and content creators.

Platform SEO

Platform SEO focuses on optimizing content within a specific platform rather than a traditional website. Each platform has its own search algorithm and ranking factors.

Platform SEO helps content rank better inside that platform’s ecosystem. It is useful for businesses that rely heavily on third-party platforms for visibility, discovery, and sales instead of only depending on Google search.

YouTube SEO

YouTube SEO falls under platform-based SEO. It helps videos appear in YouTube search results and recommendations by optimizing titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnails, watch time, and engagement.

Since YouTube is one of the largest search platforms, YouTube SEO is valuable for educators, coaches, brands, and creators who want to grow visibility through video content.

Ecommerce SEO

Ecommerce SEO helps online stores rank product and category pages in search results. It focuses on product descriptions, site structure, internal linking, page speed, and overall user experience.

The goal of Ecommerce SEO is to attract shoppers who are actively searching to buy products. Strong Ecommerce SEO reduces dependence on paid ads and drives consistent, high-intent traffic.

Amazon SEO

Amazon SEO falls under Ecommerce SEO and focuses on helping products rank higher within Amazon’s search results. This includes optimizing product titles, bullet points, descriptions, backend keywords, images, and reviews.

Unlike traditional SEO, Amazon SEO is closely tied to sales performance. Products that convert well are more likely to rank higher.

Shopify SEO

Shopify SEO is a specialized form of Ecommerce SEO tailored to Shopify-based stores. It includes optimizing product pages, collections, URLs, internal linking, and Shopify-specific technical settings.

Because Shopify has certain platform limitations, SEO requires smart structuring and content optimization to ensure products are discoverable in search engines.

Specialized SEOs

Specialized SEOs are advanced forms of SEO designed for specific business models, industries, or growth strategies. They go beyond basic SEO and address unique challenges such as scalability, buyer journeys, and monetization.

These SEO types are typically adopted once a business has clarity on its audience and long-term goals.

SaaS SEO

SaaS SEO falls under specialized SEO and is designed for software-as-a-service businesses. It focuses on educating users, targeting high-intent keywords, and supporting longer sales cycles.

Content often includes product-led pages, comparison pages, use cases, and educational resources. The goal is not just traffic, but qualified leads and trial sign-ups.

Conclusion – Types of SEO

The different types of SEO highlight how broad and adaptable SEO has become. These categories can be further expanded into subcategories based on business needs and platforms.

SEO strategies differ across industries, business models, and platforms. Understanding these distinctions helps businesses apply the right SEO approach and achieve meaningful, productive results.

Note: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)/AI Search Optimization (AI SEO) is not included in this list, as GEO focuses on visibility within large language models rather than traditional search engines.