Which type of SEO focuses on optimizing external factors that influence rankings?

Off-page SEO is the correct choice because it specifically refers to strategies and techniques that are implemented outside of the actual website to enhance its ability to rank higher in search engine results. This type of SEO primarily involves optimizing external factors such as backlinks from other websites, social media marketing, influencer outreach, and other forms of promotion that can signal to search engines that a site is trustworthy and relevant.

By focusing on these external elements, off-page SEO helps, for instance, in building authority and credibility, which are critical for improving search engine rankings. The more quality backlinks a site has pointing to it from reputable sources, the more likely it is to rank well because these backlinks act as votes of confidence from other domains.

On-page SEO, on the other hand, focuses on elements within the website itself, such as content quality, keyword optimization, and HTML tags. Technical SEO involves optimizing the technical aspects of a website that affect crawling and indexing, such as site speed and mobile-friendliness. Local SEO is specialized for businesses that operate in specific geographic areas, aiming to optimize visibility in local search results. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why off-page SEO is uniquely aimed at optimizing external influencing factors.