How to Explain SEO to a Toddler (or a CEO Same Thing Sometimes)

I once tried explaining SEO to a CEO. I might as well have been reading The Gruffalo to a toddler lots of nodding, a few curious questions, and eventually, snack time.

But honestly, SEO isn’t that complicated. It just sounds fancy because we throw in terms like backlinks, meta descriptions, and algorithm updates all of which sound like things you’d find in a sci-fi novel.

So, let’s break it down the way I would if I were talking to a toddler… or, you know, a CEO.

1. Google is the grown-up. You’re the kid.

Imagine Google is a teacher. They’ve got a whole class (the internet) full of kids (websites) shouting, “Pick me! Pick me!” when someone asks a question.

SEO is basically teaching your website to raise its hand the right way, not waving wildly or eating glue in the corner.

2. Keywords are your magic words.

If a toddler wants biscuits, they say “biscuit.” Not “circular baked treat made of happiness.”The same goes for your website. If you sell SEO services in Kent, say SEO services in Kent. Don’t hide behind clever jargon or vague fluff. Use the words your audience actually types into Google.

3. Links are like friendships.

When other websites “link” to yours, it’s like them telling the teacher, “Hey, this kid’s cool.” The more respected kids (websites) that say that, the more Google listens. Just… make sure those friends aren’t the dodgy kind who try to sell sunglasses out of a van.

4. Content is your bedtime story.

If it’s boring, no one wants to hear it. If it’s too complicated, people stop listening.Good SEO content is like a great bedtime story, clear, interesting, and makes you want to ask for just one more page.

5. Patience is key.

Toddlers don’t grow overnight. (Although they somehow learn to say “no” very fast.)SEO takes time a few months to really see growth but if you nurture it properly, your website will go from crawling to sprinting.

If you’ve ever tried explaining SEO to your boss and ended up using interpretive dance, don’t worry. You’re not alone. That’s why I offer SEO audits that make sense to everyone — even your CEO.

It’s not full of jargon, graphs, or buzzwords. It’s a clear, plain-English review of what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs a little digital glue stick.

👉 Book your no-nonsense SEO audit today I promise it’ll be easier to explain than nap time.

Because whether it’s a toddler or a CEO, sometimes you’ve just got to keep it simple.