5 key differences between Search Engine Advertising and SEO
1. Paid vs. Free Traffic
Search Engine Advertising (SEM): You pay for every click or impression (e.g., Google Ads).
SEO: You earn free, organic traffic by optimizing your website for search engines.
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2. Speed of Results
SEM: Gives instant visibility—your ad can show up within hours.
SEO: Takes time—weeks or months—to rank on the first page organically.
3. Placement on Search Results
SEM: Ads appear above or below organic results, often labeled as "Sponsored."
SEO: Organic results appear in the middle of the page, below paid ads.
4. Cost Structure
SEM: Works on a pay-per-click (PPC) or pay-per-impression model.
SEO: No direct cost per click—but requires time and effort for content, links, and optimization.
5. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Strategy
SEM: Great for quick traffic and promotions, but ends when you stop paying.
SEO: A long-term investment that builds sustainable traffic over time.
