Your SEO Results are Impacted by Social Media

In the age of the internet, we have seen social media transform from simple instant messengers and chat rooms into a raging beast that is one of the most powerful marketing tools available on the planet. Nothing can reach as many customers in as short a time period as a viral social media post.

As your brand’s social media presence grows, you will likely find yourself wondering how all of your post engagement, all those likes and comments, with your brands overall SEO Results. Does getting thousands of likes on Facebook or Twitter help you show up in a Google search?

The answer is a bit complicated. While there is some correlation between your social proof and your search engine rankings, it does require a bit of a deep dive to understand exactly how the two correlate. It may take a bit of studying to create strategies that will use this correlation to your advantage.

Social Signals

The specific metrics regarding how social media users interact with your content are called social signals. These signals include all of the things that happen with your social media posts: likes, upvotes, comments, shares etc.

Search engines take into account these social signals when they are aggregating the search results and deciding which brands and/or links are relative. When an internet user adds a search query into the search bar, the social signals play a part in what results come back to him or her.

Social media has had a drastic change on daily life. It influences our decisions and it has changed the way many people communicate. In fact, driving traffic on your social media platforms can be a great way to get users back to your site.

The Influence Social Signals Have on SEO Results

There are over 3 billion people around the world that use one or more forms of social media. That is 3 billion potential customers that may find their way to your site. Consider the potential!

Adding a social share widget to your website and your blog content can help improve your SEO. By enticing readers to share your content or your products, you are adding links to social media channels. The more links you recieve, the more credible you look in the eyes of the search engine.

Likes and shares are not the only things that help boost your SEO. If you can entice your customers to create reviews in Yelp or even on Google, it will help boost your rankings in local searches.

Wrapping it All Up

Search engines focus on providing high-quality results for each search which means the content needs to be relevant and it needs to have a bit of social proof. A strong social media strategy will help you get the social signals you need to show up closer and closer to that coveted front page. Build your SEO with social media engagement, customer reviews, and high-quality written content on your site. Focus on providing value for your customers, and Google will take notice!

Richard Coen

With over 21 years of experience in Digital Marketing, 31 years in sales and 25 years in business development, Richard assists companies to develop key growth strategies on a local or international basis. He can assist marketers to achieve balance in their approach to key areas affected by the growth in digital marketing.