Can SMO and SEO co-exist in 2014?

Can SMO and SEO co-exist?

Image Courtesy: godwardmarketing.com

Some time ago, it was really easy to choose between SEO and SMO, as SEO was the only way to optimize a website and rank it well in search engines. The confusion began in experts mind when the concept of social media optimization (SMO) came into the action. It contributed social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other with several new facilities like chatting, sharing information (Photos, videos, content etc.), make friends online, applications and games that attracts user intention.

The social attraction gave internet marketing experts a new vision to take advantages of these social platforms in driving website traffic, influencing targeted customers and increasing awareness for their brand freely. The analysts also noticed that social media is not only a source to achieve goals quickly, but also a biggest advancement in SEO efforts. Now business owners and marketing experts pay attention to what keywords give benefits to their business socially and in what means SMO supports SEO?

It created a debatable environment among internet marketers and analysts, ”Which one is better?” Some of them provided us similarities and differences between SEO and SMO given below:

Similarities:

  • Keys of link-ability are content, design and usability.
  • Quality content always praised and an important factor for both SEO and SMO success.

Differences:

  • SEO works on search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing etc, but SMO have their own social platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Google plus.
  • You should actively take parts in communities and social activities for SMO success, but in SEO participation is not a necessary factor.

But this is a kind of discussion that never be reached on a conclusion in lack of analysis and unsatisfactory outputs. Now new point strikes on mind, “Can SEO and SMO co-exist in future?” I really think that the combination of SEO and SMO can only be the complete package of online success in 2014. As Google algorithm changes time to time, it is necessary to keep your both eyes opened on both processes. Matt Cutts announcement remains SEO alive in which he said that “link building is still a ranking factor”.

So, if SEO is the process of inbound links, outbound links, keywords link with web site and on-page optimization, then SMO is the presentation of search engine activities in front of your targeted customers and the co-existence of both is the “WIN WIN” plan for a business.

This is all what i think or assume. I really appreciate your views on this topic whether SEO and SMO co-exist in future or SMO will overtake the SEO?