In 2020, it’s hard to overlook the prominence of social media. For businesses, social media’s influence looms especially large. It’s all but impossible to imagine a serious digital marketing campaign that doesn’t rely on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media giants. There remains a debate, however, over just how much of an impact social media has on your SEO. Is your search engine ranking directly affected by your social media shares?

In fact, your social shares have a noticeable effect on your website’s visibility—so much so that you should always take this factor into account when you’re planning out your content strategy. These are just some of the ways in which social media shares can affect your search ranking.

Social media shares drive traffic to your website.

When it comes to your visibility on search engines, the number of visitors to your site has always been a major consideration. It’s easy enough to see how social media can affect your website traffic. Not only do social media platforms provide a way to make your content more accessible, but social posts often provide direct links to your site. The more shares you receive across different social media platforms, the more potential visitors your site will have. Thus, the higher your site is likely to rank.

Your social media profiles show up in search engine results.

It’s easy to forget, but your business’ social media profiles are also showing up on Google’s search engine results pages. When an internet user types your business’ name into the Google search bar, they’re just as likely to see your Facebook page as your website. This means that you can help to build a larger audience for your marketing content simply by working to optimize your social media pages. When potential customers click on your social media profile pages, they’re one step away from visiting your website—and thus closer to becoming your actual customers. By the same token, however, this also means that you need to focus on making your social media profiles as complete—and as polished—as possible.

Social media shares help you raise awareness of your brand.

It’s important to make sure that everything you post on your social media pages reflects your business’ brand. All of your posts should be written in a voice that reflects your business’ attitude, values, and approach to the industry. This is why it’s so important to put time and effort into creating your social media updates. If your social media presence isn’t truly representative of your brand, then it won’t generate the kind of results you’re hoping for. This is one of the benefits of relying on a professional content creation team for your social media updates; it helps to ensure that your posts will be both high-quality and consistent in tone.

Social shares can help you widen your audience.

One of the most valuable aspects of social shares is that they expand your potential reach. Instead of being confined to your current customers, your content could potentially reach a much larger online audience. Social media also permits your content to be seen by individuals who were not searching for you. This means that you’ll be able to find far more potential customers for your business. Once your content is shared widely, your website will start receiving more high-quality traffic. This, in turn, will have a positive effect on your search engine rankings.

Social media can help you with your local SEO.

Local SEO is a critical factor for most businesses, since it enables them to target their most likely customers. Social media has an important role to play in helping you rank well for your area. When you make sure that your business’ listing information is consistent across all of your platforms, it will have a positive effect on your local search engine rankings. That’s why it’s crucial to check—and double-check—your business’ contact information on every platform you’re using. You should also be sure to add your location to your social media updates, if possible, since this will help make your content more visible to local internet users.

If you’re looking for the help you need to engage your audience effectively, it’s time to contact Pennington Creative. Our team of content marketing specialists can provide you with the essential services you require, so you can stay visible in an ever-competitive marketplace. Whether you’re in need of regular blog content, professional press releases, or relevant social media updates, our copywriters can help. If you would like to learn more about how we can assist you, drop us a line through our website. We’re looking forward to connecting with you, so get in touch with us today!

About the Author

Justyn Dillingham

Digital Marketing Manager, Special Projects