You probably know that SEO stands for search engine optimization. But people often ask what social media’s role is in SEO - so we held an #SMTLive Twitter chat to learn more about how the two work together and how they impact businesses. And who better to help us lead such a chat than the man who has the (verified) Twitter handle, @SEO?
AJ Ghergich is that man, and also one of our stellar SMT Experts. As the President & CTO of Brado Digital Intelligence, Ghergich is an SEO and social media expert. We know him well, and trust him to help guide our community on this topic, so we asked him to join us to help answer any questions people might have on Twitter during this chat.
Let's get started with question one.
Here we go... Q1- What are the main factors you notice are impacting your company's ranking on Google (and other search engines)? #SMTLive pic.twitter.com/hVrKNXtq49
— Social Media Today (@socialmedia2day) August 27, 2019
AJ had a well thought out answer.
A1: The 3 Main SEO Factors for Rankings on Google
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
1. Relevant Earned Media Citations at the Domain-Level
2. Relevant Earned Media Citations at the Page-Level
3. Page-Level content relevance, length, format, and structure#SMTlive #SEO pic.twitter.com/lLCg6mc74e
In simple terms, search engines rank your website based on the following:
1. Whether or not people trust your site enough to cite and link back to your content.
2. Whether or not your content is optimized for users - matches users’ searches and is generally user-friendly.
Q2 - What critical SEO tactics do you use in your digital marketing strategy day-to-day? #SMTLive pic.twitter.com/XM9hrcTyB1
— Social Media Today (@socialmedia2day) August 27, 2019
AJ, our resident expert, uses multiple tactics in his day-to-day. He spells them out for us below.
A2: Critical SEO Tactic #1 - Mine Google People Also Ask boxes for all the questions your customer has around your topic.
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
Use This Free tool https://t.co/salLkMswT0 #SMTlive #SEO
A2: Critical SEO Tactic #2 - Create Net-New Content That Fills the Gaps Identified by Mining Questions From People Also Ask Boxes. #SMTlive #SEO pic.twitter.com/mOYjgXR88q
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
A2: Critical SEO Tactic #3 - Structure Net-New Content to Answer Customer Questions in the Flow They Were Asked...Discovery to Specificity. Use Questions as Sub-Headers Whenever Possible. #SMTlive #SEO pic.twitter.com/cqTDWMNgAJ
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
A2: Critical SEO Tactic #3 - Create Linkable-Assets to Accompany at Least 20% of Your Content. These Assets Will Become Your Earned-Media Citation Magnets. #SMTlive #SEO pic.twitter.com/QJqI8pYBJa
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
A2: Critical SEO Tactic #3
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
Outreach, Outreach, Outreach. Use Paid Social Promotion to Custom Audiences to Get Your Linkable-Assets in Front of the Right People. Followup With 1:1 Emails. #SMTlive #SEO pic.twitter.com/PFp7aelH3f
Essentially, AJ has set tactics he uses on a daily basis to make sure his SEO is up to speed. And it looks like a lot of other people on Twitter are prioritizing SEO in their social strategies as well, judging by this poll.
Q3 - POLL: Does your social media strategy currently play a role in your SEO planning? #SMTLive
— Social Media Today (@socialmedia2day) August 27, 2019
If you're confused by all this SEO jargon, let's look at things from a social-first perspective.
Q4 - How can social media improve your SEO? #SMTLive pic.twitter.com/Bs9cpah0KC
— Social Media Today (@socialmedia2day) August 27, 2019
Here's AJ's answer:
A4 - Does Social Media Improve SEO?
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
YES but not directly! They indirectly influence one another.
They work together which is why search engines are becoming more social and social networks are turning into mini search engines. #SMTLive #SEO
Better Together! pic.twitter.com/CTuOvsLfpz
The idea that social networks are turning into mini-search engines feels eerily true. It makes sense that SEO and social media have a closer tie than ever before as a result.
Q5 - How do you optimize your social media content to be easily found and shared? How do you encourage click-through to your site? #SMTLive pic.twitter.com/KatkT43xh6
— Social Media Today (@socialmedia2day) August 27, 2019
That coveted CTR and high share count obviously have a lot to do with SEO's influence on social. But how do you influence them directly? AJ shared a simple solution with us.
A5: Make sure you validate your OG tags! #SMTLive #SEO https://t.co/b9zlG06sQV pic.twitter.com/wGkvXRuvh5
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
That debugger is a social media manager's best friend.
This has been such a great chat. Can't wait to write up the recap for this one. Here is our final question of the day...
— Social Media Today (@socialmedia2day) August 27, 2019
Q6 - What myths can we debunk right now about search engines and the ways social media and SEO interact?
#SMTLive pic.twitter.com/LeR804vPQe
SEO has a lot of mythology surrounding it among social media professionals. AJ identified a few common myths for us and set them straight. We love a good SEO episode of "Myth Busters."
A6:
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
Big Myth: Social is a ranking factor.
Truth: There is a CORRELATION between social signals and SEO, but not necessarily causation. #SMTlive #SEO pic.twitter.com/EcHMh65SYL
A6:
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) August 27, 2019
When social looks like it’s creating a ranking improvement, it’s more likely that content that is shared a lot is seen a lot.
That may lead to gaining links, and THAT is likely causing any improved rankings. Links matter and social is a place to get those links.
#SMTLive pic.twitter.com/6to9ZL36VY
The more you know. Thank you so much to AJ and everyone else who joined the chat! We hope you found some of these expert insights helpful.