Contested Name Space – Noun phrase. A name sapce (q.v.) for which opposing points of view are being promoted.

Cross Pollinization – Noun phrase. The practice of promoting one or more Web documents as relevant, favorable content in two or more search results (q.v.).

Flip – Verb. The process of pointing links at a secondary page on a Web site in the hope that it will replace a primary page in a targeted search result (q.v.).

Hostile entity – Noun phrase. A Web site, individual, or group of individuals systematically creating and/or promoting unfavorable content about a brand or personal name. Example: A Web site is a hostile entity if it produces or promotes more than one unfavorable article in a name space.

Hostile Environment – Noun phrase. A search result populated by multiple unfavorable articles from numerous sources, usually all being hostile entities.

Name Space – Noun phrase. Also spelled “namespace”. A name space is that portion of the search results (on one more or more search services) that is determined by an arbitrary standard to be relevant to a brand or personal name.

Online Reputation Management – Noun phrase. The practice of identifying and responding to content concerning a topic such as a brand or a personal name. Favorable content is promoted or otherwise rewarded; unfavorable content is passed over for promotion or reported for abuse. Online reputation management may include direct consumer engagement or the creation of Web content for consumer viewing.

ORM – Acronym. Online Reputation Management.

Protected Name Space – Noun phrase. A name space (q.v.) for which search reputation management (q.v.) is being performed.

Protected Query – Noun phrase. “Protected Name Space”.

Search Engine Reputation Management – Noun phrase. The art of managing search results page contents to show only neutral or favorable content for a brand or personal name.

SERM – Acronym. Search Engine Results Management or Search Engine Reputation Management.

Shared name space – Noun phrase. A name space (q.v.) in which multiple brands or individuals may have a legitimate promotional interest.

SRM – Acronym. Search Reputation Management.

About the SEO Theory SEO Glossary

There is no standardized or universally accepted SEO glossary. This Seo glossary was prepared for the readers of the SEO Theory blog as a quick reference to explain terms used on SEO Theory. Other SEO glossary sites may provide alternative definitions for some or all of the expressions defined in this SEO glossary.