Do you want to improve the search rank for your website or blog?
Wondering how social media can help?
Social media and search engine optimization (SEO) are undoubtedly connected and will only become more interdependent in the future.
The Role of Social Media in Rankings
Social media is definitely a very powerful a tool for brands, and is undoubtedly set to continue and see substantial growth in the future. That being said, it’s unclear exactly how search engines use social media to rank your website.
Although the official word from Google is that social signals (likes, re-tweets, shares, follows, etc) don’t factor into search results, social media is still a very powerful seo tool.
Authenticate Your Brand Through Your Social Community
Though social may only indirectly affect your rankings, one of the ways it does is through the power of your community. Search engines factor in the size of your following on social media as a measure of your authenticity.
But don’t think you can try to fool Google with fake users, they can’t engage with your content and Google is all over that one! Real users who click through from your social media accounts to your website or blog and share your content will ultimately boost critical website stats. As Google tries to determine authenticity and content value, it can look at that traffic as concrete proof that you’re doing something right.
1. Cut Down on Word Count
It is a fact that less is more when it comes to your social media copy. Rather than using extended copy in your social media posts, opt for a lower word count. Use all of the words you need, and not one more.
2. Tell People What You Want Them to Do
Sometimes, all your audience needs is a simple request so they know how to better interact with your content. A quick search of the most clickable words on social media prove that most lists have one thing in common: they’re full of call-to-action phrases. Use words and phrases like “check out,” “see,” “retweet,” “like,” and “follow” to get people to engage with your social media content. Don’t leave clicks, conversions, or shares to chance. Use a clear, concise directive when you want viewers to do something.
3. Give People a Reason to Click Through
If you want to connect with your audience, don’t sell to people; help them. Give information that is beneficial to your target audience. Make sure the content you share on social media answers a problem or pain point that’s common to your customers and prospects. Use the copy in your social media posts to refer to both the problem and the solution, and people will happily click through to your website!
4. Optimize for Keyword Searches
First, identify your most fundamental seo keywords and then include them in the headlines, summaries, links, and bios of each of your social media profiles. You can also use those keywords in the captions of relevant images you post. People searching Facebook or another network might happen across your company because of the foundation-level keywords built into your page. From there, they can be drawn into the funnel of your inbound strategy.
Just take a look at the top results when you search for “digital marketing” on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram:
5. Optimize Your Copy With Keywords
From a single hashtagged post, a follower might find your profile, more of your similar content, and click through directly to your website. Use carefully selected keywords in your posts, links, and hashtags to help elevate your rank in social search results and add to the visibility of your brand.
6. Use Keywords to Drive Content Creation
To boost your visibility on search engines across the board, make creating social media content designed to rank for specific keywords part of your marketing strategy.
7. Publish Social Posts Worthy of Backlinks
Social media posts can end up in all sorts of places beyond traditional social networks. They’re being used in blog posts and articles, ebooks, etc. If you create social media content other people want to reference, you’ll gain backlinks to your social media profiles and website, effectively increasing your authority with search engines.
Time for You to Unlock the Relationship Between Social and SEO
It appears inevitable that eventually social media will tie directly to every website’s search rankings. For now, your social media should act as an extension of seo; an inbound marketing tactic that directly impacts your reach, popularity, brand identity, and influence online.
Consider the rules of seo when crafting your social content. If your primary goal is to help your audience find your business, you should be creating messages that make you stand out from the crowd. Keep your content smart, brief, and easy to enjoy at a glance. Most of all, make it irresistible!
