Creating Content That Ranks: The New Rules of Social Media SEO

Creating content that ranks well in the context of social media SEO requires a blend of traditional SEO practices and strategies tailored specifically for social media platforms.

Here are some new rules and best practices to follow:

Understand the Platform Algorithms

Each social media platform has its own algorithm that determines what content gets shown to users. Familiarize yourself with how these algorithms work to optimize your content accordingly.

Facebook: Prioritizes content that generates meaningful interactions, such as comments and shares.

Instagram: Uses a mix of engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares) and relevance to the user’s interests.

Twitter: Focuses on recency, engagement, and the user’s network.

LinkedIn: Values engagement, relevance to the user’s professional interests, and recency.

Keyword Targeting

Bios and usernames: Integrate relevant keywords into your social media bios and usernames. This helps people searching for those terms discover your profile.

Content: Research and incorporate natural-sounding keywords throughout your social media posts. Don’t forget about long-tail keywords, which are more specific and often less competitive.

Engagement and Links

Compelling Content: Create high-quality, informative content that resonates with your target audience. This will encourage engagement (likes, comments, shares) which is a positive SEO signal.

Hashtags: Utilize relevant hashtags to categorize your content and increase discoverability. However, avoid overusing hashtags or resorting to irrelevant ones.

Calls to Action: Prompt your audience to take action. Ask questions, encourage discussions, or direct them to your website for more info. Include website links in your bio or captions when relevant.

Consistent Posting Schedule

Consistency is key in social media SEO. Develop a content calendar to ensure you post regularly and at optimal times.

Frequency: Determine the best posting frequency for each platform.

Timing: Identify the best times to post based on when your audience is most active.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can create social media content that ranks well within the platform’s algorithms and potentially gets discovered through search engines. Remember, SEO for social media focuses on content that gets shared and discussed, so prioritize quality and audience engagement.