Using social media and SEO for simultaneous success

Using social media for SEO might sound like you’re mixing oil and water, but the truth is they can actually play off each other quite well. While platforms like Google handle an enormous share of daily searches (8.5 billion, to be exact), social media also sees massive activity—Facebook alone fields 1.5 billion searches. Though only a slice of that volume relates to your offerings, that slice can still pack a punch. Below are five ways you can use social media to amplify your SEO efforts.

1. Amplify content to get indexed and ranked

In an ideal world, every piece of content you publish would immediately land on page one of Google. Reality is more brutal: the top result only gets a 27.6% click-through rate, and about 95% of people never venture past the first page. While a solid SEO strategy helps you climb the ranks, it’s not always quick or guaranteed.

Promote your new articles, guides, or videos across your social channels to jumpstart traffic. Search engines see those visits (and possibly interactions, like dwell time), signaling that your content is worth indexing faster. If your social posts entice people to read more than one page, you’re sending a positive message to Google that your site is engaging. That can translate into slightly better rankings over time. If you are not using SEO plugins or manual indexing requests in Google Search Console, social shares can be a pretty decent way to alert search engines to new or updated content.

2. Social proof

To grow in the B2B space or any field where trust is paramount, you need to show you are legit. Before committing, potential customers often dig into reviews, testimonials, awards, or stats that attest to your brand’s credibility. Social channels are a natural home for sharing that “social proof,” reaching people who might never see it on your website. Post insights, host Q&A sessions, or share quick tips that highlight your industry knowledge. People scrolling by might become followers or customers, especially if they see you’re consistently helpful.

A behind-the-scenes glimpse, a milestone achievement, or a tour of community involvement can make your brand human. It is not merely about brand awareness, it is about trust in your brand. Mention any notable press features or influencer shoutouts on social. This extends the reach of that endorsement beyond the original publication.

3. Link building

Backlinks are at the heart of SEO—every inbound link is like a vote of confidence for your site. Social media doesn’t directly give you those SEO-boosting links (social URLs are typically “nofollow”), but it does help your content reach new eyes. If an industry blogger or editor sees your post on LinkedIn and finds it compelling, they might link to you in their next article, creating a real, do-follow backlink that helps with SEO.

Don’t just tweet “Check out my post!” Offer a hook or highlight a key takeaway that piques curiosity. That’s more likely to generate interest and potential backlinks. Even if you don’t get immediate links, your social presence can remind people you exist—and that’s half the battle in attracting future backlinks. Don’t be shy about reposting evergreen content. The more eyeballs you get, the higher your odds of earning that sweet, sweet backlink.

4. Local support

Local SEO is not only for pizzerias or coffee houses. If you're based out of a location or cater to an area, you want to rank in local search terms such as "business consultant near me." Social media may provide a layer of authenticity as well. Ensure your social profiles display accurate Name, Address, and Phone info. Google cross-references this data, so any mismatch might confuse the local algorithm.

Use location-based hashtags or geotags on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. This can tip off potential customers that you’re active and local. Don’t ignore Google Business Profile. Sharing updates or promos there helps you appear more robust in local search results. Encourage customers to leave you a review on Facebook if they’re not keen on using Google. Those positive comments can appear in search results, influencing people’s decision to click on your link over a competitor’s.

5. Raise brand awareness

People can’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist. SEO is fantastic for pulling in organic traffic from search queries, but social media can accelerate that awareness much faster. By popping up in relevant social feeds and conversations, you stay top of mind for potential customers.

Help your posts and profiles surface in platform searches by including relevant industry hashtags. For example, if you are a marketing consultant, toss in “#MarketingTips” or “#B2BMarketing.” Comment on high-profile posts or collaborate in groups. This puts your brand in front of individuals who are already interested in your market.

If your slogan or brand name is memorable, develop a hashtag. Consumers who write about your product can use it, sharing your information with their followers. Influencer partnerships can expose your brand to their following, many of whom would never know about you if not for this partnership. The more your name is heard on social, the better chance they will Google it. That added brand-search volume can indirectly help with your ranking, because Google sees you as a brand people actively look for.