How to Get the Most Out of Social Media and SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO). You’ve undoubtedly seen those three letters more than you can count – and with good reason, too. Search engine optimization is absolutely crucial to making sales in this digital world. If people can’t find your site through a simple Google search, they might miss out on your products and services.

contentThere are many ways to reach the top of the search ladder, but it is an ever-changing game. One of the considerations is social media. Lots of companies use Facebook and Twitter to reach out to customers and promote their brands. It’s only natural to assume this online presence has an effect on SEO ratings, right? Not entirely.

The Relationship Between Social Presence and High Ratings

In 2010, Google’s Matt Cutts stated in a video that the search engine used social signals – likes, followers, retweets, etc. – when rating pages. In 2014, however, Cutts released another video with a different story. This time he said Google wasn’t relying on social media signals. The confusion left many companies scratching their heads and worrying about wasted effort.

Many experts in the field are adamant that businesses shouldn’t discount social media just yet. Neil Patel, founder of Quick Sprout, says social media is the “new SEO.” Even if the signals don’t improve search results, they’re markers of internet success. Facebook sees 1.79 billion active daily users – and a lot of potential customers.

Considerations About Social Media and SEO

It’s been established that social links don’t contribute to a page’s authority – but they could still help your search rank. Many of today’s marketers believe backlinks through social media have a big impact on your ratings. Although Google’s stance is unclear thanks to contradicting videos, Bing has confirmed that social media backlinking is a significant part of how it ranks results.

Social media profiles are also search engine results. Even if they don’t affect the position of the web page, they show up on internet searches. Furthermore, people may be more likely to click the Facebook or Twitter link than your regular page, because they feel it is more personable and trustworthy.

If you’re looking to make the most out of your online presence, you don’t have to do it alone. SEO experts stay on top of trends and patterns so you don’t have to.

At SteerPoint, we’re a full-service marketing agency for this digital world. No matter your needs, we’d love to help you on your journey.