Search Engine Optimization Strategies

DHTML (dynamic HTML)
Advanced version of HTML that contains more features, for example, animation.

dial-up connection
A method of connecting to an internet service provider using a telephone connection in a system of many lines shared by many users. A dial-up connection can be started manually or automatically by a computer's modem or other device.

digital certificate / signature

Direct Hit
Direct Hit was a search engine that provided search results by analyzing the activity of millions of previous internet searchers. Direct Hit was acquired by Teoma, who subsequently removed the public search interface.

discussion forums
Discussion forums are sites where people can meet for open discussion on various topics.

DNS (Domain Name Server)
Machine which translates an internet domain name, such as to internet Protocol (IP) address

Dogpile is a metasearch engine that searches multiple search engines at a time and displays the results from each engine in order.

Name with which domain name server records are associated that describe subdomains or hosts.

domain name
Meaningful and easy-to-remember "handle" for an internet address.

doorway / bridge / entry / gateway / information page
A doorway page is an information page created for the sole purpose of ranking high in search engines for a particular keyword phrase, or specific search engine.

The process of copying a file from a remote computer to your local computer.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
DSL is a technology that transmits high-bandwidth information over ordinary copper telephone lines. Individual connections will typically provide 512 Kbps to 1.544 Mbps downstream and 128 Kbps upstream transfer rates. A DSL line can carry both data and voice signals and the data part of the line is continuously connected.

dynamic ad rotation
Delivery of ads on a rotating, random basis so that visitors are exposed to different ads in different pages of a site.

dynamically generated page
A dynamically generated page is a database driven page created "on the fly," depending on the user's interest or request.


e-book / ebook
Electronic version of a traditional print book that can be read on a personal computer or a special e-book reader.

e-commerce / ecommerce (electronic commerce)
Buying and selling of goods and services over the internet.

email / email (electronic mail)
Electronic messages sent over the internet.

email discussion lists
Email discussion lists are similar to discussion forums, except the discussions are conducted via email, not on the Web.

email marketing
Marketing via email.

Process of encoding data into a form which is hard to read and decipher. This data can then be decoded (decrypted) by someone with the correct key.

Excite@Home, the company that owns the Excite search engine recently filed for bankruptcy. As a result, Excite@Home sold to InfoSpace, which has decided to replace the Excite search engine with InfoSpace's Dogpile metasearch engine results. So search results on both Excite and Dogpile are identical.

Private network that uses the internet and the public telecommunication system to securely connect a business with its customers, suppliers and business partners.


FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
List of frequently asked questions and answers.

FAST search
Search engine that powers the AllTheWeb search engine.

Favicon.ico (Favorite icon)
Customized image that Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 and above uses, if it is available, as an icon to go with a user-specified bookmarked site on the Links bar at the top of a web browser window. For more information about designing your site's Favicon, visit

Method of recording the address of a file or webpage for later reference in the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.

FFA (Free For All)
Links page where anyone can add a link. Do not bother with submitting your site to FFA pages, as it will only generate lots of spam emails for you.

FindWhat is a popular pay per click search engine supplying results for some of the most popular search and metasearch engines on the internet, including Dogpile, Excite, MetaCrawler and

Program that tells you the name associated with an email address.

Set of related programs used to prevent unauthorized outsiders from accessing the local network.

Angry, inflammatory, or insulting message sent via email, or posting to a forum or newsgroup.

flame war
Exchange of angry, inflammatory, or insulting messages between internet users.

Popular authoring software developed by Macromedia. It's used to design and deliver low-bandwidth animations, presentations, applications, and websites. To view a Flash file, users have to install the Macromedia Flash player.

Often used to refer to the bottom part of a webpage.

Frames allow you to present webpages in multiple, independent windows or subwindows, where certain information can be kept visible, while content in the other windows are scrolled or replaced.