Organic Search

Definition - What does Organic Search mean?

Organic search is a term for search engine results that are naturally generated and not influenced by commercial relationships between an organization and a search provider, ISP or other party hosting search results. This is in contrast to paid search results, where prominence on a given platform is purchased by an advertiser as a commodity.

Typically, Web users pay more attention to organic search results, or try to focus exclusively on these types of natural results. However, paid search results, like other forms of online promotion, do have an effect on their audience.

Techopedia explains Organic Search

Business pros often urge businesses to combine paid and organic search visibility strategies by purchasing prominence as well as cultivating good search engine optimization and pay-per-click programs.

For the average user, the issue of blurred lines between paid and organic search results is important. Many Web users are concerned about transparency in terms of the results of a Web search, and will look for ways to preserve organic search strategies.