What it means: Google search positions, search engine optimization for top free search results, paid advertising.

Top Free Positions on Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other Search Engines:

• These positions are searched the most, and statistics show most people view the sites in this section, not the "ADs".

The Google Ads section are for Paid Advertisements:
for businesses with big budgets to advertise, or small businesses just starting out sometimes advertise too, or... businesses with websites that have failed to reach page one positions on Google for their search terms, so they pay Google.

These are referred to as Adwords and PPC, (pay per click). You pay fees to Google for a chance to be in a rotation of advertised spots. I'm not opposed to exploring these but I do NOT use them as part of my SEO campaign in general.

• Google itself says there is no preferential treatment of websites paying for PPC to boost their natural SEO position.

For other search engines you can pay Bing, or pay verticals for top advertised spots on Yelp, and more... pay lots. OR... do SEO and get top placement in search results.

Without SEO your beautiful site will not make it to page 1 on Google... and that's what is needed.

If your business is highly competitive, it will take a lot of work and time to get to the point where Google decides to put your site above all of your competition and onto page 1, let alone the top spots, but there's a chance it can be achieved!

Google my business place pages and local maps are great for "local" businesses to help them appear on page 1. Google has designated a section in search results under locally related terms to help feature local businesses this way, and these also link to your website and help your search results if Google likes what they are seeing. But remember often these positions are also VERY competitive too, and they are "local" not global.

• Google appreciates longevity in web sites and sites with a number of incoming, strong related links that give a web site some level of "authority" and this is part of why Google decides to move your site up and closer to page one or even on page one. This is a critical position for online marketing and business success.

• Can anyone find your site using generic keywords?
  
• Are you on page 1?
  
• Do you have to give the direct link or type in the exact URL (domain address) on Google? 
  

With Seo "new" business clients have a much better chance to find you! 

Here I set my computer location to Miami FL and then I typed in the search words for this site I built, but without the city. My website showed up on Google page 1 here too. There are times when Google detects your device location and shows results for searches in the city as well, because it supports local business. When a business is GLOBAL - then this does not happen.