If you’re a web specialist, you are probably aware of the latest vocabulary and acronyms. If not, as a novice, it’s time to become familiar with some of the terms frequently used in the digital world.

As a result of the merger between SEO (Search Engine Optimization), otherwise known as organic or natural referencing, and SEA (Search Engine Advertising), or paid search, the term SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is very often used when dealing with digital marketing.

Combining these two first techniques of referencing, the objective of this SEM strategy aligns in the development of visibility on the web by allowing the advertiser to appear in the first results of the pages of search engines, also called SERP (Search Engine Results Page).

What are the noteworthy differences between SEO and SEA? How do these two SEO techniques complement each other and form SEM? What is the real strength of this combination?

Amauta Marketing, an expert web marketing agency in Laval, with clients in the greater Montréal area and elsewhere in the country, answers these queries.

SEM: Everything You Need to Know About How It Works

What Is SEO?

SEO can be defined as a set of actions implemented by an advertiser in order to optimize its position in the organic results of search engine pages.

The term “natural referencing” takes on its full meaning because no advertising investment is necessary. The result is based on several factors such as the quality of the content, the keywords used, the external links (backlinks) leading to third party pages or the internal linking.

Consequently, this method emphasizes a meticulous and technical work. By its natural or organic aspect, a contrast is established with paid techniques.

What Is SEA?

Depending greatly on your advertising portfolio, this second SEO technique is aligned with the same main objective, which is to increase visibility on the web through a comfortable position on the results of various search engines.

SEA differs from SEO by its immediate but costly benefits. Indeed, as opposed to natural referencing, the principle of this strategy is based on a system of advertisements resulting from a principle of keyword submissions. In this situation, if the marketing campaign is well conducted, your ad can quickly land at the top of the search results.

However, keep in mind that the operation depends fully on the budget allocated to the campaign. Without investment, the traffic to your site will be nil.

SEM: A Global Web Referencing Strategy

SEO + SEA: A Winning Combination

If SEO and SEA appear as two techniques that are opposed in form but similar in content, a complementarity exists between them, giving birth to SEM.

Being perceived as a grouping of digital marketing techniques and not as a single method in itself, the goal of the Search Engine Marketing strategy is to develop the traffic of a website through SEO and SEA techniques.

Indeed, the principle of SEM is based on the fact of being positioned in a natural way in the first results of the search engines in the long term, while optimizing the visibility in a punctual way through paid campaigns and rigorously targeted, provoking an impact in the short term. The role of keywords, common to SEO and SEA, will be decisive.

SMO, The Contribution of Social Networks

Last component of this marketing ecosystem, SMO (Social Media Optimization) gathers actions implemented to increase the visibility of a brand or a company on the web through social networks.

Indeed, in the generation of traffic, social networks can have an impact. YouTube is particularly important in search engine results. It is common to see videos from the platform displayed in the SERP.

Also, let’s not forget that social networks are also responsible for brand awareness and, consequently, for search engine optimization.

Finally, it is possible to conduct advertising campaigns via social networks in order to develop its digital visibility. To do so, many tools exist.

Amauta Marketing, Web Marketing Agency Expert in SEO

Definitely, the control of SEO requires real in-depth skills and a certain experience on the subject. Every company has specific needs, depending on its positioning, its budget and its field of activity.

Amauta Marketing in Laval offers you a personalized accompaniment by setting up the best possible strategy to meet your expectations. Composed of digital experts, the web marketing agency, focused on measurable results, helps you develop your online visibility. These real SEO professionals are waiting for you!