{"id":473,"date":"2026-03-30T21:27:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T18:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/?p=473"},"modified":"2026-03-30T21:27:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T18:27:11","slug":"seo-vs-smo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/seo-vs-smo\/","title":{"rendered":"SEO vs SMO: Two Powerful Digital Marketing Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/seo-vs-smo\/#What_is_SEO\" title=\"What is SEO?&nbsp;\">What is SEO?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/seo-vs-smo\/#What_is_SMO\" title=\"What is SMO?&nbsp;\">What is SMO?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/seo-vs-smo\/#The_Right_and_Wrong_Way_to_SMO\" title=\"The Right and Wrong Way to SMO&nbsp;\">The Right and Wrong Way to SMO&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/seo-vs-smo\/#Comparisons_and_Similarities_of_SEO_and_SMO\" title=\"Comparisons and Similarities of SEO and SMO\">Comparisons and Similarities of SEO and SMO<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/seo-vs-smo\/#Social_Media_Optimization_and_Search_Engine_Algorithms_Why_You_Need_SMO_for_SEO\" title=\"Social Media Optimization and Search Engine Algorithms: Why You Need SMO for SEO&nbsp;\">Social Media Optimization and Search Engine Algorithms: Why You Need SMO for SEO&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/seo-vs-smo\/#Take-Aways\" title=\"Take-Aways:&nbsp;\">Take-Aways:&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><strong>SEO and SMO are both digital marketing tools<\/strong>. Their effectiveness comes from utilizing <a href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/long-tail-keywords\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"579\">keywords<\/a> that take advantage of Google\u2019s algorithm. They help to make sure local customers will find what they are looking for. That person looking up\u00a0<em>how to fix their phone<\/em>? They are going to see sites with the best SEO and SMO first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_SEO\"><\/span><strong>What is SEO?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/what-does-seo-stand-for\/\">Search engine optimization (SEO) <\/a>is a marketing strategy that aims to bring more people to your website the first way, by improving your <a href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/the-complete-guide-to-understanding-serps\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"493\">search engine rankings<\/a>. This strategy ranges from developing content that is search friendly to changing technical aspects of your website to best match search engine algorithms and to improve user experience. SMO which we will discuss in depth below can be one part of SEO but it also contributes to your online traffic by <a href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/guest-posting-brand-awareness-tool\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"501\">building brand awareness.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SERP.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SERP.png 900w, https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SERP-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SERP-768x580.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Search Engine Result Page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_SMO\"><\/span><strong>What is SMO?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sproutsocial.com\/insights\/social-media-optimization\/\">Social media optimization (SMO)<\/a> is another online marketing strategy that focuses on developing your business\u2019s social presence on traditional social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and Youtube. But SMO also focuses oaan enhancing your company\u2019s presence and online reputation through a variety of other interactive communities like blogs, forums, and basically anywhere your business is brought up online.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SMO can help you strengthen your brand and boost online visibility and brand familiarity. Another major benefit is that optimizing your social media builds trust for your business because consumers will see you not only mentioned but recommended by others. When they see your business recommended this creates social proof that builds their trust and customer loyalty even further.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might also like:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/social-media-scheduler.html\">Free Social Media Scheduler Tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1-1-thoughtco-com-600x338-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1772\" srcset=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1-1-thoughtco-com-600x338-1.png 600w, https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1-1-thoughtco-com-600x338-1-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Social media platforms<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Right_and_Wrong_Way_to_SMO\"><\/span><strong>The Right and Wrong Way to SMO<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SMO is not about joining every possible online group just for the sake of mentioning your business. The number of Facebook or Linkedin Groups your company joins is less important than the impact of your company page on other users, and potential customers. In fact, just joining a bunch of groups and then remaining inactive lacks authenticity, is not interactive, and is mostly counterproductive for SMO and SEO. Instead focus on engaging with relevant social audiences, contributing to conversations, and posting relevant and authoritative content for your industry.&nbsp;This way you can use social media to make a lasting impression and connection with your target audience and convert them into leads and customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparisons_and_Similarities_of_SEO_and_SMO\"><\/span><strong>Comparisons and Similarities of SEO and SMO<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SEO and SMO are both cost-effective ways to gain new customers and build brand awareness and there are many techniques that they share. <a href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/how-to-scale-link-building\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"244\">Link building<\/a> is important for SEO because backlinks increase search ranking. Meanwhile, good SMO <a href=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/marketplace\/backlinks.html\">produces backlinks<\/a> as customers share recommendations and information about a given brand\/website. In addition, both strategies require high-quality content that is trusted by search engines and holds the attention of online readers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1625060563881.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1625060563881.png 1000w, https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1625060563881-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1625060563881-768x425.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">SEO &amp; SMO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Social_Media_Optimization_and_Search_Engine_Algorithms_Why_You_Need_SMO_for_SEO\"><\/span><strong>Social Media Optimization and Search Engine Algorithms: Why You Need SMO for SEO&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Social shares are more important in calculating rankings because they communicate the reliability and value of the shared content to search engines. This originated with the Hummingbird Google Algorithm update and continues to be relevant to good SEO today.&nbsp; Google values quality content that is relevant, authoritative, and shareable. So the more your content has been shared across social media, the higher its perceived quality. This will lead to better rankings!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/social-media-backlinks.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/social-media-backlinks.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/social-media-backlinks-300x169.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Social media backlinks<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take-Aways\"><\/span><strong>Take-Aways:<\/strong>&nbsp; <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SEO and SMO are related digital marketing strategies that work together to improve the online presence and they contribute to each other. SMO helps provide inbound links as customers share their recommendations, feedback, and thoughts about a company on social forums. In addition, SMO allows you to develop stronger customer relationships with users who found your website through search. In this way, the two strategies positively interact to help grow your customer base and business!<br><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SEO and SMO are both digital marketing tools. Their effectiveness comes from utilizing keywords that take advantage of Google\u2019s algorithm.<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1773,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=473"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2603,"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473\/revisions\/2603"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessily.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}