Because it facilitates content discovery, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial component of any digital marketing strategy. More people will see your content if it appears higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Promoting your website through social media channels is now a proven strategy. Having a strong social media strategy that promotes brand recognition and return on investment is crucial to all of this. Making sure your social media, content marketing, and search engine optimization strategies all work together is the sweet spot of any digital marketing campaign.
This article will demystify the interplay between search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing (SMM), and provide five guidelines for making the most of each.
Does Google take social signals into account?
The term “social signals” refers to activities carried out on social media platforms. So, will Google’s search engine rankings improve if your content gets lots of shares and likes? Google has sent conflicting messages about this issue over the years.
As early as 2010, the massive search engine took social signals into account as a ranking factor, prioritising quality over quantity. This means Google takes into account the author’s or creator’s social media standing when determining page rank.
Building inbound links through social media
How does this convoluted past shed light on how we currently interpret social cues?
Content that is widely shared is more likely to be seen by a wide audience.
Backlinks can be attributed to social signals, as content shared by influential social media creators is more likely to be shared by their followers.
Content that has been linked to more frequently and extensively tends to perform better in search engine results.
When it comes to SEO, backlinks are far more important than social signals. How many backlinks you acquire through social media is heavily dependent on how many creators you are able to attract as followers.
Ideally, you should:
Develop useful content that people will want to share. Included in this category are link-generating resources like how-to articles, blog clusters, and curated collections of related content.
Obtain a sizable social media following on platforms where you intend to promote content with links.
Although social media links (those from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) rarely have a noticeable effect on SEO, they can still be useful. As a result, more people will see and share your content, and some of them, like journalists, bloggers, and influencers, may even use it and link to it on their own websites.
Use subscriber push notifications, social media, and email to spread the word about your content.
Get your content in front of influential people.
Five Ways to Boost Your Social Media SEO
First, Improve Your Profile Content
It’s important to create an interesting and relevant social media profile that reflects your company because it’s one of the first things a potential customer will see.
Give as much information as you can to paint a clear picture of what it is that your company does.
Put in the effort to find the right keywords that will bring in customers who are interested in your brand.
Make sure that other sites are linking to the content on your site. Be sure your social media channels are stocked with content people will want to share.
Customer testimonials
Customers have a lot of options when it comes to platforms and accounts, so it’s important to make the most of your content to attract and engage them. Experiment with different forms of content, such as videos, blogs, testimonials, etc., to see what resonates with your target market.
In addition, make use of high-quality branding imagery to ensure that consumers will immediately identify your products. Consequently, this will boost exposure for the brand as a whole.
Third, promote inbound links with high-quality content
Only content that a user deems useful or interesting to their audience will be shared. If you’re limited in either time or materials, it’s better to focus on quality rather than quantity.
Spend time doing research, and use both internal links and external links to credible sources to establish your credibility. Expert quotes and data to back up your argument are also welcome additions.
Having a consistent voice and perspective on your field is crucial if you want to rise to the top
The fourth strategy is to use social listening to monitor the industry and your competitors.
There are some excellent free tools available that can be used for social listening, which is a powerful SEO strategy. You can use these to keep tabs on your competition and listen in on what your target audience is saying about you.
Customers are increasingly turning to social media to seek answers to their questions, read reviews, and air their grievances, so it’s important to keep an ear to the ground on all of your platforms.
5. Recognize the power of influencers and think about tapping into their services
It’s common knowledge that influential people can move the needle on social media. Just check the numbers for the influencers to find out how much.
Your influencer marketing strategy doesn’t have to aim that high, but if you know of influencers in your field or area that your target audience pays attention to, you might want to consider incorporating them into your social media campaigns.
Put Search Engine Optimization to Work for Your Social Media Marketing Efforts
It’s important to stay abreast of the latest SEO news and developments, as the industry is constantly evolving. If you want to learn the ins and outs of search engine marketing, DMI’s Professional Diploma in Search Marketing is the way to go. Get started today and learn to rank higher in search results, increasing your site’s traffic and potential customers.