Many people often misunderstand and confuse the relationship between social media and SEO also referred to as search engine optimization. As an internet marketing consultant who provides Social Media Marketing services, I have a strong need to educate and inform consumers about the differences.
Along the rapid change of the market are the changes that quickly happen to all types of internet marketing. But for social media marketing, the change is much quicker than the others. For example, algorithms of a new SEO may come out every few months; but changes in social happen almost everyday. So it is important to have a deeper understanding of the relationship between the two as it is now stronger than ever.
The 3-Legged Stool of SEO
Search engine optimization originally consisted of keywords, meta-tags and content creation. As sites became more diverse, quality components gained ground creating the need for more sophisticated strategies to differentiate one site from another. Right now, SEO strategies are undergoing one of the most drastic changes in years; the inclusion of social media rankings or social „signals“ as a key indication. SEO effectively has three legs or pillars of support:
On-page SEO activities
Backlinking and other off-page SEO actions
Social signals optimization
Social Media’s Importance to SEO
The importance of social media to SEO is its use of social media tracking or „social signals“, indicating and showing what is popular or relevant at a given time. Google, a search engine, was the first to confirm this importance. Don’t forget that Google, and other search engines for that matter, wants the popular and relevant sites at the top, proving that social signals are clear signs of what is in or trendy.
Google+ is built around this function and perhaps the most integrated social media option out there but all social sites are important. According to independent research, the top 10 percent of sites demonstrate up to 350% more traffic, 410% more keywords rated on the first page of Google and over 300% more revenue. Yes – it’s THAT important!
To Reach Consumers, Increase One’s Commercial Connectivity
Smart brands are now getting into social media, smart phones and other technological advancements that increase one’s connectivity. Getting online with the „always on“ generation enhances the social media status of the brand. Mobile marketing is now the buzz word. This „always on“ economy is highly networked, more than one can possibly imagine.
The Bottom Line
SEO is becoming totally dependent on social media and its dependence is forecast to grow by leaps and bounds in the days to come as the Age of Data welcomes the dawning of the Age of Connectivity. In order to survive, businesses must be able to adapt to the changes the new age will bring.
To learn more about this author go to http://socialmedia.inorangecountyca.net/.