The relationship between social media marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) can be complicated. The question is, does social media have an impact on search engine results?
Some marketers have lost sight of how both methods effectively benefit each effort. This blog will clear the air and explain how social media and SEO complement each other and if they can boost one another.
Social Media Signals Aren’t Used to Influence SEO Rankings.
A common misunderstanding between social media marketing and SEO is that social media with its links, likes, and following, have a direct influence on a page’s SEO ranking. Google sees social network postings as distinct web pages. That being said, if it’s like a web page, shouldn’t the same SEO standards apply?
Well, not quite. The problem is, Google doesn’t like platforms they don’t trust, and social media is just too easy to manipulate. For example, we know that links are major Google ranking elements, but Google considers it just too simple to establish links on social media platforms—in other words, social links aren’t the same as links from high-quality websites.
However, just because those signals don’t have a direct impact on your page ranking doesn’t mean that social media and SEO don’t complement each other. In reality, they should be functioning together in any smart marketing approach. What marketers should do is focus on a strategy that will work together, and that requires a more comprehensive look.
Page Views and Engagement Can Be Increased Using Social Media
The simplest and most successful approach to distribute your SEO-based material is through social networking. While incoming links from social media does not have the same impact as connections from high-quality sites, they can affect your bounce rate and time-on-site engagement.
High-quality links from influential websites can also be obtained through social media. Influencers utilize social media just as much as the average person. There’s a strong possibility they’ll see your material and include it on their own website or blog because it’s in the same industry.
Social Media Can Be a Useful Indicator
Keep an eye on engagement numbers. Once you’ve got your content up and running and receiving a consistent number of likes, shares, and comments per post, you can better determine which topics and content your audience is most interested in, as well as which ones are a waste of time.
While social media platforms display in search listings, the results have no effect on your website’s SEO. Although it can increase brand awareness and authority, social media and SEO do not directly build your site’s page rank which is why understanding SEO is an important aspect for the digital growth of a business.
Are you looking to take your social media marketing to the next level of SEO? If you feel you need a little more help or assistance with your social platforms and SEO, contact us on our website or give us a call at 248-684-0500. We hope to hear from you soon!