SEO and SEM are two different approaches to increasing website traffic from search engines. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is focused on optimizing a website to get traffic from organic search results. SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing, which involves promoting websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results pages primarily through paid advertising. SEM may incorporate SEO, which adjusts or rewrites website content and site architecture to achieve a higher ranking in search engine results pages to enhance pay per click (PPC) listings and increase the Call to action (CTA) on the website.
Here are some key differences between SEO and SEM:
SEO
- Focuses on optimizing a website to get traffic from organic search results.
- Uses keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building to improve website ranking.
- Takes time to see results, but can lead to long-term benefits.
- Does not involve paid advertising.
SEM
- Involves promoting websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results pages primarily through paid advertising.
- Uses paid advertising with AdWords or Bing Ads, pay per click (particularly beneficial for local providers as it enables potential consumers to contact a company directly with one click), article submissions, advertising and making sure SEO has been done.
- Can lead to immediate results, but requires ongoing investment.
- Incorporates both paid search results and organic search results.
In summary, SEO and SEM are both ways to market a business in search engines, but they use different approaches. SEO focuses on optimizing a website to get traffic from organic search results, while SEM involves promoting websites through paid advertising and may incorporate SEO techniques.
