One of the things that I love about being a professional freelancer is that you never stop learning. Since most of my expertise in business content writing is experiential, I often learn about the different terms after the fact. I knew what the term meant, but not what it was called! One of those backward-learning experiences is SEO and SMO, which I’m now forwarding to you! Let’s go.

SEO and SMO in digital marketing

So, first things first. Let’s examine the central question: what is SEO and SMO in digital marketing?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which means that writers create and optimize content for search engines, such as Google, Etsy, Shopify, and others. The goal is to create content that will rank high in search engines and be easy for searchers to find.

SMO stands for Social Media Optimization. SMO writers will create content that will resonate well with social media engines and users. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok rely on well-written content to help attract and engage users.

Both SMO and SEO writers have different job responsibilities and unique approaches to content, but they both lead in the same direction: creating high-quality content that attracts attention!

What is the difference between SEO and SMO?

Pretty straightforward, right? So, let’s take a more detailed look at how SEO and SMO techniques work.

• SEO informs first and entertains second: SEO content is typically longer than SMO content. It needs to answer searchers’ questions first and then focus on engaging and entertaining them along the way, and it has more space or time to do so.

• SMO attracts and engages instantly: SMO content is created for ultra-fast engagement. Scrollers need to see something that entertains them first and makes them hesitate long enough to engage with the content. The central point is to engage and attract first and then inform second!

• SEO is more formal: In terms of writing techniques, SEO content is more formal. It uses traditional punctuation and classic language in most situations. Readers who engage with SEO content are looking for easy, well-written information on the requested topic or product.

• SMO is casual and eye-catching. SEO techniques in social media will get you basically nowhere. SMO content is designed to be short-form and casual and contains all sorts of modern nuances, including fun hashtags, emojis, and more.

SEO and SMO services are important

It’s an understatement to say that these digital marketing services are crucial to making a presence in modern-day business approaches. As you can guess, however, the correct result in SEO and SMO traffic lead generation is different enough that you need the best writer for each job!  

One of my pet peeves from a professional point of view is when customers or traditional job providers put together project details for “content writers” who are in both the worlds of business content and social media content. While both are essential, they are very unique areas. An SEO writer with no SMO training can’t provide both types of writing and vice versa.

So, now is the moment of truth. Was I the only professional writer who didn’t know the difference between SEO and SMO? What else do you think is important for readers to know?