In recent years, it seems like social media and search engines have merged together, becoming nearly one of the same.
Social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook all have robust search functionalities built-in making them excellent search engines.
In fact, most businesses these days understand how important social media can be when it comes to Social SEO —a strategy that optimizes social media content for search to enhance discoverability and engagement.
The Evolution of Social Media as Search Engines
Remember when we’d use social media for the sole purpose of connecting with friends and family? Those days are practically gone (don’t get me wrong, we STILL use it for that, too…Hi Grandma!).
Now, these platforms are being used for so much more and are driving our daily decisions on what to buy, where to travel, who to hire, etc…
…and with features such as the integration of Google search results into TikTok’s in-app search for instance, we can really see and understand the shift in how information is currently sought and ultimately consumed.
This evolution of course now demands a strategic response from businesses, especially those who understand the necessity of digital marketing but might not grasp all of the intricacies.
So how can we better understand social SEO?
The idea behind Social SEO is to optimize your social media profiles and content in order to help increase visibility in platform-specific search results.
This involves carefully selecting your keywords both in captions and hashtags, and being intentional about creating content focused around what your ideal customer is seeking.
For businesses, this means a golden opportunity to stay top-of-mind among consumers, ensuring that your brand is discoverable just when your audience needs you.
What role does Video Content play in Social SEO?
Over the last 2 decades, human attention spans have dwindled to just above 8-seconds. Yikes!
This explains why there’s been such a push for short-video content such as YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok videos.
It’s important to note though that longer-form videos aren’t any less sought out in the grander scheme of things. In fact, videos between two and five minutes are actually making a comeback as more and more people aim to consume informative video content that teaches, inspires, and engages them.
After all, an 8-second video can’t always convey messages in their entirety nor provide all the answers in a tutorial.
So what does this mean? Businesses NEED to begin incorporating video in their content strategy as clearly, people are in fact searching through videos for answers surrounding various products, and services.
What about Direct Messaging?
Here at Avrah Virtual, we cannot stress enough how much we prefer Instagram over any other platform when it comes to engagement and community building.
Why? Simply put, the Direct Messages or “DM” feature. This is where users can seek out a more personalized (and private) form of communication with their favorite brand(s).
From a business perspective, consider a more hands-on approach when it come’s to managing DM’s as it helps to foster a deeper connection with your audience.
Afterall, people buy from those they know, like, and TRUST!
Gamification and Interactive Content
As business owners, we’re all ultimately competing for the same thing, the attention of our ideal customers!
Gamification has proven to be a strategic way to captivate and engage audiences. By incorporating elements of games—challenges, rewards, giveaways, and competitions, companies can utilize social media to increase their engagement and interaction rates!
We have worked with hundreds of businesses over the years by incorporating these sorts of strategies into their content creation plans–regardless of how “big” or how “small” their business is.
There’s interactive content ideas for everyone!
Brand Authenticity and Transparency
The desire for genuineness and openness from brands is more pronounced today than ever before.
Consumers aren’t only interested in the quality of products but also seek a deeper understanding of a company’s operational ethics, environmental initiatives, and the people orchestrating the brand’s vision.
For businesses who are aiming to connect with an audience that prioritizes honesty, the act of showing the behind-the-scenes insights and engaging openly with their audience about their values, is key to gaining trust and dedication.
This makes the rise of Social SEO more appealing & understandable to the average business owner who may have relied heavily on classic forms of marketing in the past.
Social media marketing is important. Regardless of how you may feel about it.
How can we begin to embrace Social SEO?
By understanding and leveraging the trends of longer video content, direct messaging, gamification, and a focus on authenticity, brands can significantly enhance their visibility and engagement on social platforms.
Entrepreneurs who consider themselves as being “not very tech savvy”, we understand.
However, we believe strongly that embracing these trends isn’t just about staying relevant; it’s about forging deeper connections with your audience, delivering value where they’re already “hanging out” and ultimately, driving business growth in an increasingly digital world.
Need someone to help you formulate and execute a social media strategy for your business? Let us help! Book a FREE a discovery call and we’ll reach out.