You may hear the terms “search engine optimization” and “search engine marketing” being tossed around from industry to industry.

However, there has been a long-standing debate on which is better for businesses: SEO or SEM. Since there’s a need to plan an effective online engagement strategy, it’s time to explore both strategies, and learn the truth.

So, let’s jump right in!

Understanding SEO & SEM

1# SEO

SEO, or search engine optimization, uses organic tactics to gain visibility in SERPs, which prompts search engines to show content near the top of search results, thus making them valuable and authoritative. SEO often comes in 3 categories (which can be combined into one strategy):

2# SEM

SEM, or search engine marketing, uses paid tactics to gain visibility in SERPs, which include setting up and optimizing ads with a given budget. Every time a user clicks on a paid ad, the brand gets charged.

In short, SEM is often referred to as “paid search” or pay-per-click (PPC) marketing. One good example of SEM is Google Ads, which allows brands to conduct keyword research and create campaigns that target keywords that are popular in their industry, products, or services.

So, now that we know about SEO and SEM, it’s time to look at the similarities that bring them together, as well as the differences that drive them apart.

Similarities

Differences

So … Which Is Better?

Does SEO outweigh SEM? Or vice versa? Well, the truth is, whichever is right for your brand depends on the following:

So, now that you’ve gone further in depth with both SEO and SEM, you can see how there’s no right or wrong way to go about gaining customer traffic to your business.

In fact, while some things are good with SEO, others might be better off with you using SEM. Again, that all depends on what your business needs to get more clicks and sales.

Author Bio: George J. Newton is a business development manager at Nextcoursework.com and Dissertation writing service. He is also a contributing writer for Brit Student. As a professional writer, he has been involved in many writing projects nationwide.