In our December 31 story about 2012 SEO trends, I talked about the seven SEO practices to watch for and implement in 2012. All of these practices remain highly relevant for those working to increase traffic levels to their websites. But one in particular has received a considerable amount of buzz lately: social media sharing and engagement.
Sharing is Golden – Literally
Social sharing - the new face of SEO
Mom spoke the truth when she uttered her mantra, “Sharing is golden. Share your Barbies with your cousin, or else!” OK, so I didn’t want to share my Barbie® dolls with that little brat, but I’ve changed and so should you. Way back in February 2011, Google made an announcement implying that social sharing would take on a more important role in how people find information and, consequently, your website.
If you want to drive more traffic to your site as well as tout your site’s high Google page rank, you need to share your content as well as others’ content that you find helpful, interesting, or just plain cool.
The Usual Suspects
Where do you share this content that will have cyber-groupies banging on your virtual door for more? Everywhere. Share on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and popular social bookmarking sites like Digg and StumbleUpon. Reports abound about the traffic driving benefits of the new social media star, Pinterest. Pinterest allows you to share (bookmark) an interesting story or website by pinning a graphic associated with it to a pinboard of your choosing, associated with your account. People can click on the image to see the content associated with it on the originating website.
Web Surfing? So Generation Lame
People don’t surf the web for information with the frequency and intensity they did five, or even two, years ago. Instead, they browse social networks and find the information and content they need by perusing relevant shares by others. Think about it. You design your social network around your personal interests and needs. If pneumatic conveyance systems don’t interest you, you probably won’t follow a group of engineers who design these industrial transport mechanisms. Perhaps your interest lies in photography. You’ll likely follow and engage with photographers and related creative professionals.
Play the Game or Go Home
The basic SEO practices that involve getting quality linkbacks and using targeted keywords in your site framework and within your content continue to remain critical for website SEO. But social sharing optimization (SSO) has emerged as a significant component of the overall SEO picture. Share innovative and high quality content that offers high value to readers. Learn about copywriting techniques that compel your social network followers to click on your tweet, or G+ share to read, comment, and re-share.
SEO and social sharing say, "I do."
SEO will you take Social Media as your Google-ly wedded spouse? I do.
Social media and SEO put a ring on it – they got married. The game has some new rules added to the old ones. The two have become one. Invite them both to your website and into your badassery filled content. They’ll return the favor by inviting you to rise in the ranks with them.
Now share with us! How has social media sharing impacted traffic to your site?
Image credits: glamour dot com, Royal Wedding – UK The Guardian
About Samantha Gluck
Social media has definitely driven traffic to all my websites and blogs. Just this a.m. I had a new visitor to my blog from someone who saw my post on Twitter. Pinterest is ranking in the top 10 referral sites to my two eCommerce sites as well. It’s just amazing! You definitely will need your social sharing pants on to compete online these days! Great points Samantha!
Lisa recently posted..And The Blog Went POOF…! Gone Into Thin Air
I think all of us have seen the value of social media for driving traffic to our sites. Things like commentluv also help. I’ve had visitors that clicked on my commentluv link associated with comments I’ve left on other websites. I’ve seen traffic from Pinterest on Medtopicwriter, but just a little here. StumbleUpon and Twitter are still my 1st and 2nd traffic drivers as far as social media goes. It’s good to know that Pinterest is boosting your traffic for the eCommerce sites too.
You definitely have your social media pants on, girlfriend! Me too, but I think mine’s a mini-skirt.
Samantha Gluck recently posted..Recipes for Great Writing and Why I Feel Like a Rockstar
Thank you so much for the link love, Samantha. I think that demonstrates another point, too: if you start sharing as many relevant links from your own community as you can rather than just random links you find on Google, your community members will be much more likely to share your stuff, too–raising your SEO rankings even further.
Love “Google-ly wedded spouse.” Hey, look at the pretty birdies (while I steal this…)!
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..The Attitude Cycle Of Your Sales Prospect Part 1: The Selfish Reader
LOL! Thank you for that uplifting comment, Shakirah! The ending (look at the pretty birdies) made me truly laugh out loud. You’re right: sharing great content put out there by others in your community enhances that intangible bond between like-minded professionals as well as increases the likelihood of targeted sharing. Great addition to the marriage our friends, Mr. and Mrs. SEO-SocialSharing, gorgeous!
I agree with your concepts regarding relationship between search engine optimization and social sharing and certainly there will be many out there who will agree with your implementations as well. On the other hand what I am feeling since couple of years now that internet is no more for families. Internet is used all around the globe but most of the times we forget that what we are sharing at the moment (via snaps or gossips) will not be useful if we want to read or see with our own families.
There are many other ways in a noble way to share the ideas, I hope to God there will be many who will agree to me.
Junaid recently posted..Today’s Teenagers are depressed – Find out With Android Spy Software
Thanks for sharing, Junaid! Social sharing is here to stay and something everyone must get on with, if they hope to get noticed and change the world. XO
Samantha Gluck recently posted..Freelance Writing Dreams Wins Best Copywriting Blog at World Media Awards