Semantic SEO · Glossary
What is source context?
Source context is the purpose and identity of a website as search engines understand it: who the site is, what it offers and why it exists. It shapes which topics the site is expected to cover and how its content is interpreted.
Written by Noor KhanWhy Source context matters
The same article reads differently coming from a clinic, a software vendor or an affiliate blog. Content aligned with a clear source context is easier for search engines to trust; content that drifts outside it is weaker.
How Source context works
- Search engines infer source context from the business, the main entity, page types and how topics are framed.
- Topics closest to the source context carry the most weight; distant topics carry less.
- Consistent framing across the site reinforces the context over time.
How to apply it
- Define your source context in one sentence before planning content.
- Frame topics from your angle: a clinic explains treatment, a software vendor explains workflows.
- Make your About page, schema and service pages state that identity clearly.
Example
Two sites write about 'Shopify SEO': an agency frames it around services and results, a plugin vendor around features and setup. Each should, because their source contexts differ.
Common mistake
Publishing whatever topics have search volume, regardless of whether they fit what the business actually is.