A search engine is a program that helps users find information on the Internet. It sends out a spider to the Internet and collects site links for its database. When a user types in a keyword or combination of keywords, the spider seeks through the database and ranks the websites in order of relevancy.

A search engine is distinguished from a directory and a portal, because its pages are generated by an automated program rather than by human editors. Popular search engines include Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask Jeeves, AltaVista & Lycos.

Every search engine uses its own unique formula to decide which web sites come closest to matching its users queries. That secret formula, called an algorithm, is what determines whether a site will appear on the first page of the user's search results or on the 10th, 20th or on none at all. By optimizing your site, you can have some say in this ranking process.

Search Engine Optimization is the art and science of increasing your website's visibility to search engines for those important keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business. By optimizing your website, your business can appear prominently in the 'organic' search results (also known as 'free listings', 'algorithmic listings' and 'natural search engine results'). This is a longer-term traffic generation strategy focusing on the analysis and development of your website content and structure.

Natural Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a process that aligns a website's code and content with strategic keyword phrase targeting, ultimately assisting a search engine algorithm in understanding a website's keyword focus. SEO can be simple for some websites, while others may require intense website code, content, navigation and internal linking changes. Atomic SEO 's SEO services have proven to significantly increase natural search engine rankings