Since Google became the most used search engine, many businesses have scrambled to perform Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and while only a few can be at the top in SEO, and game changer has arrived, Search Media Optimization. Will it kill SEO? Probably not for a while, but it could.

Search Media Optimization (SMO) is the methodisation of social media activity with the intent of attracting unique visitors to website content. SMO, in contrast to SEO, focuses on driving traffic to websites from sources other than search engines. SMO is like viral marketing technique except that “word of mouth” is created through the use of social bookmarking, blogs, RSS feeds, video, and photo sharing websites.

Social media has become a force to be reckoned with as it is becoming common knowledge that sites are starting to see and increasing number of visitors coming from social media sites such as Facebook than from search. According to Ben Elowitz, co-founder and CEO of Wetpaint, states: “the era of SMO liberates publishers from the exercise of tricks, hacks and keywords. Instead the big opportunity is now once again creating and refining the most appealing content possible.” Google has yet to crack the code on what drives social interest, it is currently a reflection of what people are interested in after enough interest is garnered. Facebook and other social media platforms can check “Likes” and quickly use that as an advantage in their marketing techniques, while Google has to wait for enough people to “search” data before it seems relevant enough to move up the search rankings.

Beware Google, it may be a good time to click the “Like” button on social media, and position yourself well in SMO.

Source: http://digitalquarters.net/2010/10/seo-is-dead-and-the-new-king-is-%E2%80%98smo%E2%80%99/

Owners and marketers of businesses often ask themselves how they can use the internet to find new customers and engage with existing customers. Social Media gives businesses the ability to amplify visibility and create a value proposition for their target customers.

Social Media serves as a platform to identify, learn, and connect with customers and prospects along with those who influence their decisions.

In early February 2011, a move seen as a chance for redemption for AOL by some and also a move that makes no sense to others, AOL acquired Huffington Post and puts the combined companies in a position to command over 250 million unique visitors online globally. AOL is currently fading in its dial-up Internet services and is trying to re-establish itself as a media empire that is already made up of MapQuest, AOL Music, Engadget, TechCrunch, and other well known media platforms. Huffington Post is one of the top 10 online news companies and boasts a large online visitor base of over 25 million monthly viewers and blog posts by celebrity contributors (who post for free) such as Bill Gates and Barack Obama.

According to Ben Parr, author of the article “AOL’s $315 Million Bet: “The Huffington Post” Will Make It Relevant Again [OP-ED]” states: “Until today, AOL has been a disorganized collection of media entities that weren’t strong enough on their own to truly transform AOL into a media powerhouse.”

“The acquisition of The Huffington Post will create a next-generation American media company with global reach that combines content, community, and social experiences for consumers,” said Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of AOL. “Together, our companies will embrace the digital future and become a digital destination that delivers unmatched experiences for both consumers and advertisers.”

Arianna Huffington went on to state, “The Huffington Post will continue on the same path we have been on for the last six years – though now at light speed – by combining with AOL. We are fusing a legendary and powerful new media brand with [an] innovative news organization, known for its distinctive voice [and] highly engaged audience.”

It can be identified from what Armstrong and Huffington are voicing is that there is a goal to create a large community of visitors who go online to access interactive content. Where there are online visitors, there is also an opportunity to make money through online paid advertising. AOL has been using this knowledge to try and reinvent itself; however, passed acquisitions of MySpace, Friendster, and others have been deemed as failures, we will have to wait and see if AOL has learned from its past failures and make itself relevant, especially since online media is even more competitive than before.