Many people believe that the terms SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) are synonymous, but actually the terms and methods are very different even though they work best when used synchronistically. It’s a bit like chocolate and peanut butter- two very different ingredients that taste best together. 

One of the biggest differences between SEM and SEO is the time involved. SEM is something that can be done in a relatively short amount of time with pretty quick results. Quick results- but costly. One of the largest components of SEM is PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising, which can instantly make your site visible on search engines. PPC ads can be, however, incredibly expensive. Pay-Per-Click means exactly that- you pay every time someone clicks on your ad. So, while your website might be getting more and more views you are spending more and more money. Of course, you can avoid spending loads of money by employing smarter methods of PPC but uncovering the methods that will best suit your website can take time and end up falling more in the SEO category. 

SEO takes more time and effort than SEM. It involves optimizing your website to create a better environment for search engines and for users. This includes incorporating targeted keywords into your site’s content and properly utilizing your title tags and URLs among other things. In this metaphor SEO is the peanut butter- though it doesn’t give you the instant satisfaction of chocolate, it will nourish you and keep you energized over the long run. Search Engines will reward your efforts and users will visit your site again and again. 

While both SEM and SEO have advantages and disadvantages when used independently- when used in tandem they can make all the difference in the world to your website. Combined, your site can have the quick visibility of SEM with the long lasting results of SEO.