Digital speak is not for the faint of heart. The worldwide web is drenched in marketing acronyms and new ones keep popping up. In fact, marketing abbreviations can drive even the most digital savvy individual straight to crazy town.
In order to simplify our understanding of marketing terminology, lets focus on the differences between the two most used acronyms. Although both terms are frequently used interchangeably, there is a specific difference between the two.
SEO
Acronym for: Search Engine Optimization
Definition: The unpaid strategies and methods employed to improve your visibility on search engines to increase the number of visitors to your website.
Objective of SEO: To rank higher on a search engine’s results page for a specific keyword or search term.
Examples of SEO:
- Social sharing and integration
- Optimized page load speed
- Optimized blog posts and page copy
- Incorporation of keywords into title tags, heading tags, etc.
SEM
Acronym for: Search Engine Marketing
Definition: Any form of internet marketing where a marketer employs the use of search engines to increase your website’s visibility. SEM is a typical marketing tactic involving paid advertisements promoting a website on search engines. SEM also includes SEO and additional search market tactics to attain its objective.
Objective of SEM: To increase the visibility of your website.
Examples of SEM:
- Combining paid search and SEO methods
- Optimize website and search content with keywords and paid advertisements on targeted audience search page
- PPC (Pay Per Click) campaigns and activities
Indisputably, both SEO and SEM are integral to website development and marketing.
In conclusion, the main difference between SEO and SEM is that SEO is a part of SEM. Although the goal of both methods is identical—to increase visibility in search engines—SEM goes slightly beyond. Search Engine Optimization involves the optimization of your website to attain higher rankings in organic search results. Search Engine Marketing incorporates further, often paid, techniques to obtain search engine traffic.
Further, note that organic SEO takes longer to show in results, but ultimately costs less. It’s essential to evaluate your distinct needs before choosing the best method.
Evolution Business Media Group is a full-service marketing agency. We use SEO, SEM, and an extensive list of other digital marketing acronyms to make your website visible. Our team of marketing specialists are here to assist you in achieving your business goals, no matter how lofty.
