SEO vs. Social Media in the Online World

Social media and SEO are often seen together, influencing each other in a way to some extent, but does that actually diminish the difference between the two? Perhaps no, or may be yes, let’s find out.

SEO, A Composite Figure

SEO, a complex yet vast set of techniques and strategies, is employed for improving the visibility on the search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. SEO works in tandem with search algorithms which is constantly evolving and makes it a prolonged process.

This complex and extensive set of SEO also involves social media optimization. That’s the reason why SEO and SMO are on the same wavelength and in agreement in using tactics for obtaining high rankings. However, even then, SEO differs strictly from SMO in working with content using keywords, link development, XML sitemap, ALT/TITLE attributes, Analytics, etc.

Social Media Optimization

There are many ways in which social media optimization supports SEO. Social media helps in getting your brand prominence and recognition. It assists SEO in framing the rankings by promoting brands. Let’s see how.

1. It helps in circulating content and bringing rewards for inbound links.

2. It helps in tagging and bookmarking, and therefore establishing links.

3. It helps in extending a handshake with potential customers and building up strong relationship with them.

4. It generates more subscribers, and thus helps in customer retention.

So, this is how social media channels work and provide a clear distinction to brands as compared to others. All the above points help in more social exposure with increased links, site appearance in the search engine results, site reinforcement and maximization. That speaks quite a lot about social media.   

Reading From The Same Page

There are many similar ways in which SEO and social media act in consonance and help establishing a business. The duo communicates in a shared language from the same platform.

SEO can be an appropriate approach for any business and creating its online presence, but owing to many changes occurring in the web world, it may not prove as an adequate and the only strategy for fulfilling required marketing campaign needs for a business.

Off late, search engine optimization is welcoming the social media and benefitting from it. People have started realizing how social media is capable of affecting search engine results and therefore readily employing it. It is not easy for SEO to single handedly determine Google rankings or other assets.

The Separate Ways

While SEO does marketing, social media does branding of a product. Social media helps in building a strong online presence by gushing through several social media channels. It depends on how effectively the social media enacts on such channels.

Unlike the core strategy of SEO, social media creates social signals and plays them through Google +, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. for word-of-mouth marketing.

Social media is a different chord when it comes to spending exhausting hours on a regular basis on social media networks. Secondly, it acknowledges only the current information for creating an instant buzz.

Rather than zeroing in on conversation or latest murmur, SEO works for long-term results and a dedicated traffic by generating keyword focused content.

Summing up

The resemblances of SEO and social media in the online world stand together in single rhyme for promoting a business. But, social media strictly draws its line of succession from SEO. From here, social media takes its responsibility towards brand promotion.

The real takeaway is that while SEO marketing involves social media, SEO remains the prime mover in the web world.

Stephen Moyers is a writer, web designer, blogger and Social Media lover. He is currently associated with SPINX Digital, a Web design agency in Los Angeles, California. Check SPINX blog for latest technologies scoops.