How to tell the difference between SEM and SEO?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by Networxnz, Dec 6, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hello friends, I believe you have many great ideas about this.

    What is exactly the distinction between Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? Do you really understand both concepts?

    So, what do you think which form of Internet marketing is better? (between SEM and SEO)
     
    Networxnz, Dec 6, 2009 IP
  2. Goran

    Goran Peon

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    #2
    Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume or quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" or un-paid ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results as opposed to search engine marketing (SEM) which deals with paid inclusion.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization

    I would say SEO is better
     
    Goran, Dec 6, 2009 IP
  3. Networxnz

    Networxnz Active Member

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    #3
    Thank you for sharing Goran.
     
    Networxnz, Dec 6, 2009 IP
  4. cheska

    cheska Peon

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    #4
    SEO is under SEM. Search Engine Optimization is one of SEM's key feature. SEM doesn't really stands for paid marketing or campaigns. SEM is the term used if you are promoting your website in search engines and if you are promoting your site you can use Organic on Inorganic SEO method, Affiliate Marketing Campaigns, PPC and etc. SEO is just a part of SEM.

    I hope my 2 cents helps:)
     
    cheska, Dec 6, 2009 IP
  5. Scripter

    Scripter Peon

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    #5
    SEM is much better scalable. Investment X, return Y. With SEO you need to know very well what you are doing or you'll end up with a miserable failure after days, weeks or even months of time/work spent.

    I know alot of guys making good money with SEM, but only a few who make enough via SEO to call it a "monthly income".
     
    Scripter, Dec 7, 2009 IP
  6. Networxnz

    Networxnz Active Member

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    #6
    It is important to note that the terms SEO and SEM should not be used interchangeably. They are two different things – but both practices can help your website to become a success, if used properly and with good judgment.
     
    Networxnz, Dec 10, 2009 IP
  7. anllyy

    anllyy Peon

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    #7
    SEO is Search Engine Optimization. In SEO, your goal is to get your page to be first in the search engine rankings.SEM is Search Engine Marketing. This can be accomplished by using SEO, but it can also include paid ad listings and sponsored links.

    but now some seoers are actually sem. Because they are running their own sites and they do ppc by themself.
     
    anllyy, Dec 10, 2009 IP
  8. dorothykinder

    dorothykinder Peon

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    #8
    AS what Goran has discussed is the correct thing, SEO is just the amount of traffic directed towards your website through Natural or Organic way, but SEM deals with Paid Listings, such as what you see in Google as Sponsored Links.
     
    dorothykinder, Dec 10, 2009 IP
  9. Networxnz

    Networxnz Active Member

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    #9
    But one thing for certain, SEM and SEO can assist our websites to become a success, as long as they are used correctly and with fine judgment.
     
    Networxnz, Dec 13, 2009 IP
  10. Hagen

    Hagen Peon

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    #10
    Search Engine Optimization is a tool used for Search Engine Marketing. You use Search Engine Optimization so that you can get your websites to rank higher in search results, thus aiding your marketing efforts.

    Search Engine Marketing can also include Pay-Per-Click advertising if you're using Google Adwords, Yahoo Search Marketing, etc.
     
    Hagen, Dec 13, 2009 IP
  11. Ankit87

    Ankit87 Greenhorn

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    #11
    Both SEO and SEM is important for internet marketing. If you want some good traffic to your site and also want to promote your site in internet then the both of the form is necessary for your product
     
    Ankit87, Dec 13, 2009 IP
  12. Networxnz

    Networxnz Active Member

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    #12
    So, if Search Engine Optimization is only a tool used for Search Engine Marketing, then questioning about which form of internet marketing is better between SEM and SEO is exactly not applicable. Are they really different? What do you think guys?
     
    Networxnz, Dec 14, 2009 IP
  13. rasel89

    rasel89 Guest

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    #13
    Marketing is only SEM. SEO is needed when you desire to make a site & earn from there.
     
    rasel89, Dec 15, 2009 IP
  14. Hagen

    Hagen Peon

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    #14
    Exactly. SEO could be considered a TYPE of SEM, so you can't really compare them because one encompasses the other. Asking whether SEO is better than SEM is like asking whether direct response advertising is better than marketing. You can't compare them because one is a type of the other.

    Now, you could compare SEO and pay-per-click search engine advertising, since those are both types of SEM. But you'll still get different answers depending on who you ask (ie: some people will say SEO because it can be done for free, and some people will say pay-per-click because it can produce results faster).
     
    Hagen, Dec 26, 2009 IP
  15. Networxnz

    Networxnz Active Member

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    #15
    Okay, I got your point. So, I think if one really wishes to know more about it then he must do his own research concerning it.
     
    Networxnz, Jan 5, 2010 IP
  16. julietevents

    julietevents Peon

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    #16
    SEM includes many techniques :

    PPC
    Affiliate marketing
    SEO
    Email marketing etc . . .

    Hence among them seo technique is the best because it brings business . . .


    _________________________________________________________________
    New York Wedding planner, Wedding planner New York
     
    julietevents, Jan 5, 2010 IP
  17. Networxnz

    Networxnz Active Member

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    #17
    Well, this is more clearer!
     
    Networxnz, Jan 5, 2010 IP