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Social Media Marketing
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ARTICLE #37
Using social media and SEO for simultaneous success
Social Media Marketing
Content Marketing
Digital Marketing
SEO Strategy
SEO Tips
Social Media Marketing
Content Marketing
Digital Marketing
SEO Strategy
SEO Tips
Written by:
5 min read
Updated on: June 29, 2024
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Most businesses accept that an effective SEO Strategy is vital for growth. Yet some still skip social media channels—particularly in B2B sectors—missing out on a golden opportunity to enhance visibility. Although Social Media Marketing can be tricky due to changing algorithms and the need for fresh, attention-grabbing Content Marketing, it also opens the door to brand recognition and user trust. In other words, it can be a valuable Digital Marketing asset when paired with the right tactics.
But social media isn’t solely for pushing out images or random articles. When used wisely, it can shape brand awareness, show off expertise, build credibility, and send high-quality traffic to your website. Here’s how social media and SEO can work hand-in-hand to strengthen each other.
Most businesses accept that an effective SEO Strategy is vital for growth. Yet some still skip social media channels—particularly in B2B sectors—missing out on a golden opportunity to enhance visibility. Although Social Media Marketing can be tricky due to changing algorithms and the need for fresh, attention-grabbing Content Marketing, it also opens the door to brand recognition and user trust. In other words, it can be a valuable Digital Marketing asset when paired with the right tactics.
But social media isn’t solely for pushing out images or random articles. When used wisely, it can shape brand awareness, show off expertise, build credibility, and send high-quality traffic to your website. Here’s how social media and SEO can work hand-in-hand to strengthen each other.
What is the relationship between social media and SEO?
What is the relationship between social media and SEO?
There’s been debate for years about whether social media has a direct effect on search engine rankings. Some say Google ignores social signals, while others argue that social presence supports business success. The truth is that social performance isn’t an official ranking factor on Google—but it still provides indirect boosts.
Social media can drive engagement, spark more link sharing, and bring traffic to your site. That matters if you are aiming for higher organic rankings. You can also link relevant social profiles to your Google Business Profile, which can help local searches if people spot your brand across multiple platforms. Meanwhile, data suggests that 54% of social media users turn to these channels to research products, and around 71% of consumers are likelier to recommend a brand if they had a positive experience with it online.
There’s been debate for years about whether social media has a direct effect on search engine rankings. Some say Google ignores social signals, while others argue that social presence supports business success. The truth is that social performance isn’t an official ranking factor on Google—but it still provides indirect boosts.
Social media can drive engagement, spark more link sharing, and bring traffic to your site. That matters if you are aiming for higher organic rankings. You can also link relevant social profiles to your Google Business Profile, which can help local searches if people spot your brand across multiple platforms. Meanwhile, data suggests that 54% of social media users turn to these channels to research products, and around 71% of consumers are likelier to recommend a brand if they had a positive experience with it online.
How does social media help with SEO?
Although social media isn’t a direct ranking factor, it does indirectly enhance SEO. Every share or mention amplifies brand exposure, funnels traffic to your site and generates the kind of signals search engines notice. This extra visibility can ultimately lift your pages in the rankings—even if social metrics aren’t officially part of Google’s formula.
1. Brand awareness
People are more inclined to purchase from a business they’ve seen around. When you post regularly on social channels, you stay in front of potential customers. If you offer valuable content, they’ll remember you once they’re ready to buy. Research indicates around 82% of individuals prefer a familiar name after doing their homework on a search engine.
2. Engagement rate
Though Google may not track likes or shares as a ranking factor, strong engagement can inspire more interaction overall. That includes comments, retweets, or mentions from new audiences. Some brands even reward fans who participate—through promos or freebies—which can spread your name further.
3. Better backlink potential
If your posts or articles grab people’s attention, there’s a chance they’ll link to your site. High-quality backlinks remain a key element of any SEO Strategy, so the more eyes on your content, the better. Even if you don’t have a huge following, one influential reader could share your piece, triggering a wave of additional shares—or a mention on a popular website.
4. Trust and credibility
An empty or inactive social media feed often raises eyebrows. People like to see real engagement, whether it’s product updates, user reviews, or behind-the-scenes stories. A lively feed signals a genuine brand—one that cares about its audience and pays attention to feedback.
5. Local search visibility
Platforms like Google Business Profile can act like social channels in their own right. Regular posts, updated contact details, and positive comments or reviews help your local presence. If people see consistent details across different platforms, they’re likelier to consider your brand dependable.
Although social media isn’t a direct ranking factor, it does indirectly enhance SEO. Every share or mention amplifies brand exposure, funnels traffic to your site and generates the kind of signals search engines notice. This extra visibility can ultimately lift your pages in the rankings—even if social metrics aren’t officially part of Google’s formula.
1. Brand awareness
People are more inclined to purchase from a business they’ve seen around. When you post regularly on social channels, you stay in front of potential customers. If you offer valuable content, they’ll remember you once they’re ready to buy. Research indicates around 82% of individuals prefer a familiar name after doing their homework on a search engine.
2. Engagement rate
Though Google may not track likes or shares as a ranking factor, strong engagement can inspire more interaction overall. That includes comments, retweets, or mentions from new audiences. Some brands even reward fans who participate—through promos or freebies—which can spread your name further.
3. Better backlink potential
If your posts or articles grab people’s attention, there’s a chance they’ll link to your site. High-quality backlinks remain a key element of any SEO Strategy, so the more eyes on your content, the better. Even if you don’t have a huge following, one influential reader could share your piece, triggering a wave of additional shares—or a mention on a popular website.
4. Trust and credibility
An empty or inactive social media feed often raises eyebrows. People like to see real engagement, whether it’s product updates, user reviews, or behind-the-scenes stories. A lively feed signals a genuine brand—one that cares about its audience and pays attention to feedback.
5. Local search visibility
Platforms like Google Business Profile can act like social channels in their own right. Regular posts, updated contact details, and positive comments or reviews help your local presence. If people see consistent details across different platforms, they’re likelier to consider your brand dependable.
Is social media itself a ranking factor?
Google has said it doesn’t count follower numbers or post likes as part of its ranking algorithm. That doesn’t mean your social profiles have no influence, though. Google may verify your business details—like name, phone, and address—via social accounts. Accurate information boosts your local credibility. Also, if you are creating content that earns high engagement or sparks backlinks, it indirectly benefits your SEO.
Bing, on the other hand, has confirmed that it factors social metrics into its rankings. A page with strong social traction might earn better visibility there. In short, ignoring your social presence means forgoing potential traffic from at least some search engines.
Google has said it doesn’t count follower numbers or post likes as part of its ranking algorithm. That doesn’t mean your social profiles have no influence, though. Google may verify your business details—like name, phone, and address—via social accounts. Accurate information boosts your local credibility. Also, if you are creating content that earns high engagement or sparks backlinks, it indirectly benefits your SEO.
Bing, on the other hand, has confirmed that it factors social metrics into its rankings. A page with strong social traction might earn better visibility there. In short, ignoring your social presence means forgoing potential traffic from at least some search engines.
How to use social media for SEO?
Social media and SEO have similar potential for reach. Google handles 8.5 billion searches per day, Facebook sees 1.5 billion searches, and YouTube users watch 1 billion hours of video. Only a small fraction of those searches relates to your business, but you can get the idea.
So, social media outshines SEO in several ways, here are five methods you can use to benefit from social media for SEO:
1. Amplify content to get indexed and ranked
There’s no guarantee Google will place your newest blog post at the top. Meanwhile, the first organic slot on Google sees a 27.6% click-through rate, and nearly 95% of users rarely venture past page one. By sharing your latest posts on social platforms, you can collect visits that might otherwise never materialise. More traffic can indicate user interest, prompting Google to index that page sooner and possibly rank it higher.
Tips
Share your content on multiple networks to widen your reach.
Refresh older articles and reshare if they remain relevant.
Encourage comments or discussion to show there’s genuine reader interest.
2. Social proof
Whether you are in B2C or B2B, prospective customers want to see legitimate evidence of your track record. Sharing awards, testimonials, and positive reviews on social media can build that credibility. You can also address common questions or concerns in posts, which leads to greater confidence in your business. In turn, potential clients are more likely to seek you out in search results.
3. Link building
Many search engines still treat inbound links as votes of trust. Social platforms aren’t direct “link juice” hubs—most of them mark external links as no-follow—but that shouldn’t stop you. Post links to your blog or product pages, and if enough readers find value, they may reference or recommend it on their own sites, generating the kind of backlinks Google values.
4. Local support
Small businesses often rely on local SEO to stay visible. You can strengthen that visibility by providing consistent phone numbers, addresses, and opening hours on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Business Profile. Sprinkle in local keywords and tags to target customers in your region.
5. Raise brand awareness
Brand recognition isn’t just about being seen on search engine results pages. It’s also about showing up on feeds where your customers actually hang out. Tactics might include:
Using hashtags and relevant keywords to become more discoverable.
Commenting thoughtfully on industry-related threads or local posts.
Teaming up with influencers whose followers align with your target demographic.
Encouraging fans to tag you when they talk about your products or services.
All of these techniques drive more traffic to your site, which signals Google that your brand is worth taking seriously.
Social media and SEO have similar potential for reach. Google handles 8.5 billion searches per day, Facebook sees 1.5 billion searches, and YouTube users watch 1 billion hours of video. Only a small fraction of those searches relates to your business, but you can get the idea.
So, social media outshines SEO in several ways, here are five methods you can use to benefit from social media for SEO:
1. Amplify content to get indexed and ranked
There’s no guarantee Google will place your newest blog post at the top. Meanwhile, the first organic slot on Google sees a 27.6% click-through rate, and nearly 95% of users rarely venture past page one. By sharing your latest posts on social platforms, you can collect visits that might otherwise never materialise. More traffic can indicate user interest, prompting Google to index that page sooner and possibly rank it higher.
Tips
Share your content on multiple networks to widen your reach.
Refresh older articles and reshare if they remain relevant.
Encourage comments or discussion to show there’s genuine reader interest.
2. Social proof
Whether you are in B2C or B2B, prospective customers want to see legitimate evidence of your track record. Sharing awards, testimonials, and positive reviews on social media can build that credibility. You can also address common questions or concerns in posts, which leads to greater confidence in your business. In turn, potential clients are more likely to seek you out in search results.
3. Link building
Many search engines still treat inbound links as votes of trust. Social platforms aren’t direct “link juice” hubs—most of them mark external links as no-follow—but that shouldn’t stop you. Post links to your blog or product pages, and if enough readers find value, they may reference or recommend it on their own sites, generating the kind of backlinks Google values.
4. Local support
Small businesses often rely on local SEO to stay visible. You can strengthen that visibility by providing consistent phone numbers, addresses, and opening hours on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Business Profile. Sprinkle in local keywords and tags to target customers in your region.
5. Raise brand awareness
Brand recognition isn’t just about being seen on search engine results pages. It’s also about showing up on feeds where your customers actually hang out. Tactics might include:
Using hashtags and relevant keywords to become more discoverable.
Commenting thoughtfully on industry-related threads or local posts.
Teaming up with influencers whose followers align with your target demographic.
Encouraging fans to tag you when they talk about your products or services.
All of these techniques drive more traffic to your site, which signals Google that your brand is worth taking seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEO in social media?
SEO in social media, also known as social SEO, is optimising your content and social channels to increase your reach in search engine result pages. It aids in increasing the visibility of your content when people search for a business similar to yours.
Does SEO drive 1000% more traffic than social media?
Research shows that SEO drives traffic over 1000% more effectively compared to social media. Almost 60% of marketers consider inbound strategies like SEO for generating leads. SEO leads have approximately a 14.6% close rate.
What is more important, SEO or social media?
SMM or social media marketing is an ideal way to drive traffic to your website while SEO or search engine optimization is essential to rank your website. If you want to achieve these goals to increase search rankings by increasing your number of followers, it won't be possible without SEO and SMM.
Final thoughts
Social Media Marketing and SEO can reinforce each other and create broader digital success. By blending strong Content Marketing with an authentic social presence, you’ll likely see gains in both online visibility and trust from potential clients. Think of this integration as a supportive loop: search engines notice when users care about your site, and social channels help you gather the interest you need to be noticed in the first place.
If you are exploring ways to refine your Digital Marketing approach, consider how both social platforms and search engine optimisation can complement each other. With the right balance, you’ll grow brand recognition, draw more traffic, and strengthen your reputation as a reliable authority in your field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEO in social media?
SEO in social media, also known as social SEO, is optimising your content and social channels to increase your reach in search engine result pages. It aids in increasing the visibility of your content when people search for a business similar to yours.
Does SEO drive 1000% more traffic than social media?
Research shows that SEO drives traffic over 1000% more effectively compared to social media. Almost 60% of marketers consider inbound strategies like SEO for generating leads. SEO leads have approximately a 14.6% close rate.
What is more important, SEO or social media?
SMM or social media marketing is an ideal way to drive traffic to your website while SEO or search engine optimization is essential to rank your website. If you want to achieve these goals to increase search rankings by increasing your number of followers, it won't be possible without SEO and SMM.
Final thoughts
Social Media Marketing and SEO can reinforce each other and create broader digital success. By blending strong Content Marketing with an authentic social presence, you’ll likely see gains in both online visibility and trust from potential clients. Think of this integration as a supportive loop: search engines notice when users care about your site, and social channels help you gather the interest you need to be noticed in the first place.
If you are exploring ways to refine your Digital Marketing approach, consider how both social platforms and search engine optimisation can complement each other. With the right balance, you’ll grow brand recognition, draw more traffic, and strengthen your reputation as a reliable authority in your field.
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Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
FOR® Industries
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
hel@for.co
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®