Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are two terms that seems to be similar but when you look deeper into what they mean and what they do, you will discover that SEO and SEM are two different things. The easiest way to comprehend the difference between SEO and SEM is to define what each of them means.
First, let us define what SEO or search engine optimisation means. SEO is an approach that aims to improve the performance of your website in terms of traffic through the organic or unpaid search engine results. The objective of SEO is to rank higher in search engine results like in Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines. SEO may also aim to rank higher not just in web search, but also in video, image and local searches. The higher your website ranks in search engines, the higher chance you will have to drive traffic into your website.
And now, let’s talk about SEM, what is it? SEM is a strategy that includes SEO. It actually an internet marketing that uses the different aspects of search engine technology in its marketing strategies. It utilises SEO and other services like pay-per-click; and search engine tools that would help you improve your search engine presence and eventually increase your website traffic.
Generally, SEO is a component of SEM. SEO is used to enhance your search engine ranking, while SEM is more of a marketing strategy to promote your business with the use of search engine services and tools. While SEO is geared towards the organic or unpaid, SEM is more on the paid advertisements; both with the aim to improve your business’ online presence.
