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We often see some confusion over SEO, content marketing.

The question is, how do they fit together?

The truth is that they both are a natural fit for each other.

Now, we will share exactly why this is the case.

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The Fiction: SEO and content marketing are not integrated.

One problem that exists between SEO and content marketing is that they are separated in the marketing world as two very different elements. The truth is that they go together and blend quite nicely with one another.

There are those who even think that content marketing eliminates the need for SEO completely. These people couldn’t be more wrong. Some people think that content marketing eliminates the need for SEO.

The Facts: SEO and content marketing overlap.

When trying to understand the integration of SEO and content marketing, think of it this way.

First, here’s the incorrect view of SEO and content marketing. This is wrong:

Now, here’s the right way to view them:

Is there a difference between SEO and content marketing?

The short answer is…yes. SEO and content marketing are distinguished from one another in several critical areas. And while they have points of differentiation, you still can’t separate the two completely from one another.

Instead of splitting every hair, let’s just go over the few that are key.

  • SEO is narrower, and more technical.
  • Content marketing is broader and more holistic.

This is the way in which the two converge:

  • The way to apply SEO in a broader way is to channel its specific technical endeavors into content marketing.
  • Conversely, the only way to ensure the success of content marketing is to apply SEO techniques in its implementation.

How does SEO and content marketing sync?

SEO creates demands and content marketing supports and helps to fulfill those demands.

You can think of it as a conversation between two people. One person makes a request (SEO) and the other person is there to help complete and fulfill that request (Content Marketing).

SEO demands content. Content marketing is content.

There is no such thing as SEO without content. You need words, articles, substance, keywords, verbiage. The three C’s of SEO are no doubt: content, content, and content.

SEO helps you find the right keywords to target. Content marketing uses those keywords.

The basic idea of SEO is keywords. Utilizing them, and tracking your ranking of them in the SERPs.

How do you apply these keywords? How is all the research funneled into its practical application?

You guessed it, content marketing. The only way you can use your keywords is to be employing them strategically throughout your content. Content marketing consists of top-notch content, written and tailored for readers, while naturally using the keywords that you’re targeting.

SEO wants linkbacks / backlinks, great content marketing gets shared and linked.

Linkbacks are everything that SEO hopes for, especially big linkbacks such as edu’s placing links to your blog articles.

This hope can only become reality by presenting absolutely perfect content through content marketing.

The best way to build links is by creating stellar content, and letting the masses link back to it.

If you want this important component of SEO, you’ve got to have the indispensable element of content marketing.

How can you get this linkback that SEO desperately wants? You must have content that is worth linking to.

SEO demands consistent content.

It’s no secret that Google likes new and fresh content. If you are familiar with SEO, you know that new content gets rapidly indexed, and registers higher in the SERP’s than older content.

Good SEO means consistent output of content. What does that mean? That content marketing is being utilized and it’s being used right.

Content marketing runs on constant action. Unlike the human body, its stamina is unlimited and it can keep going on and on. This is just what SEO needs. A partner that never stops, never gets tired, and is always available.

This is another way that SEO and content converge.

Conclusion

We can talk about the SEO and content marketing connection all day, and we’ll still conclude with the same results. You can’t have one without the other.

Here are two important things you should take away from this.

  1. You’re not an SEO, unless you’re also a content marketer. You’re not a content marketer, unless you’re also an SEO.

These two components need each other and they need to work together. They need to work together to create results.

  1. Your SEO campaign will fail unless you integrate content marketing. Your content marketing campaign will fail unless you integrate SEO.

We’ve established that SEO will only succeed when content marketing features are integrated in the project.

Your hard work and finished content is all for naught unless people search and discover it. To help that cause you need a map, and that is what SEO provides.

These elements are orphans when they are alone. When they meet, they can create absolute wonders.

Geoffrey Purkis

Geoffrey is the Founder and CEO of Seattle Web Search. He’s a web developer and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) expert located in Seattle, Washington with extensive experience in the field. Geoffrey specializes in helping his clients find the right combination of web, search, social, and video content to get the best results from their online marketing efforts.

8 Comments

  • Daniella Gordon says:

    SEO and content marketing used to be silo’ed, but this article proves just how much this is dissolving and being replaced by one holistic marketing strategy. These days, every aspect of marketing needs to support each other to get a successful end result. Great summary!

  • Bianca Simpson says:

    This is a great article that explains content marketing and SEO. So helpful!

  • Danie Matthews says:

    I enjoyed this article! What do you think is the best way to generate leads using content marketing?

  • Charly Neel says:

    Great article! Content marketing has become such a major key in digital success, and the article explains exactly why.

  • Mabel Smith says:

    I had no idea that SEO and content marketing worked together like this!

  • Riley Ellis says:

    Do you need to constantly be updating your website or blog? How often should content be posted on your website?

  • Margaret Burch says:

    This was so informative in understand the differences between the two, and then learning how exactly they work hand in hand to build the other up! Thanks for sharing.

  • Ivy Rose says:

    I love how this explained the relationship bridging SEO and content marketing

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