How Do Social Media Posts Help Your SEO Campaign?

By now we all know that SEO is pivotal to online success, and that online marketing translates into real world sales and growth. But what about social media engagement? Is that really something you should dedicate time and resources to maintaining? 

At Alt Media Studios (AMST) we aim to be your Cleveland SEO company, so we feel pretty qualified to answer this one. Let’s get into just how social media and SEO go hand in hand.

Social Media = Online Presence

Yes, your website is the mainstay of your business’s online presence. But social media has quickly caught up. Especially for specific demographics of customers who are always online and interacting with their favorite brands on various social media channels, your company’s social media account could be one of the only ways they’ll come across your brand. 

Why does that matter? Because these days, many folks are doing their primary research on social media platforms. This is where they gauge your presence there as positive, negative or neutral and use that information to judge whether they want to interact with your company further. Real, meaningful interactions on social media platforms can then lead to website visits, backlinks and actual business being done. 

Google and Social Media Posts

Did you know that social media posts can help your website’s ranking on Google search results? It’s true. Next time you search a topic, pay attention to whether or not you see search results from Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms–you likely will. Maybe you scanned right over these or didn’t even notice them in the past, but for some online users, these might be just the results they’re looking for! Why are they there? Because they’re offering valuable content that answers common questions.

Now we can’t simplify this to the point of saying that a solid social media presence will have a direct effect on SEO ranking, but they are related. Here’s how:

• Boost web traffic with clicks through from social media sites to your website
• Improve brand reputation with Google, which can lead to higher SEO ranking
• Enhance SEO strategy by analyzing social media engagement and implementing findings with site content
• Increase backlinking when engaging social media content is shared by others

Google algorithms aim to prioritize high-quality content that engages audiences and provides value. Proof of this is how you interact with your audience on social media. So while it’s not strictly direct, it’s clear that the relationship between social media and online search ranking runs deep.

Social Media, Branding and Engagement

Every online platform that hosts your company profile needs to be consistent for best effect. This is true of the visual branding, yes, but it’s also true of the overall level of engagement. Leave an account untouched for too long, and it will leave customers wondering if you’re still in business, especially if they’re using social media profiles to research businesses. And lack of consistency in posting will naturally mean that the algorithm won’t suggest your account or your posts to platform users. Lack of engagement can quickly spiral downward and render your social media presence obsolete.

On the other hand, consistent, engaging posts keep the engine running. More value in social media posts leads users to want to seek out your website, which increases referral traffic and then can help to boost your SEO ranking. The more you show up online, wherever it is, the more your business appears to be professional, engaged and responsive, and the more likely you are to build a community that seeks out your content. And though search engines don’t make note of likes, shares and comments, they will definitely track the website traffic and backlinks that result from your social media efforts. 

Content Connections

Effective social media marketing will engage your audience. You can then use the best performing content–be it an image, video or infographic–to inform the content you’ll include on your website in the form of a written blog, or as a newsletter that’s pushed to subscribers. A topic that resonates should bring in site traffic, which of course affects your online search rankings. 

Make a Difference Locally

We’ve mentioned some big players in the social media space, but when you’re looking to boost local exposure, there are other social media platforms that demand your attention. Platforms like Google My Business and Next Door are primary destinations for folks in your area who are looking for businesses like yours. On these platforms, user reviews and company interactions can have a direct and outsized influence on how you rank in local search results. So take the time to thoughtfully develop your profile, focusing on location-specific involvement and meaningful community engagement. And when those community members engage with your business, don’t ignore it! Addressing reviews and taking part in local events will give clear evidence that you’re aware and engaged, and could lead more potential customers to check you out. If they land on your website, the strategy has brought you full circle.

Cleveland SEO Services

If you’re convinced that social media marketing deserves a place in your SEO-centric approach to your digital marketing plan, then make some time to talk to the Cleveland SEO experts at Alt Media Studios. As a Google partner, we know what search engines track and how you can do the most to get their attention across all your online platforms. 

If running analytics and transforming social media success into a thriving blog and well-traveled website is overwhelming and you aren’t sure how to get started, then call on us, your trusted digital marketing agency in Cleveland. We take a data-driven approach to your social media engagement and make a point of maximizing success across online platforms. We’re intentional, we’re focused, and we’re ready to help you achieve long-term SEO gains. Contact us today to learn more about our full range of digital marketing services!