Your Social Media is a Waste of Time... Unless You Do THIS!

The Common Myth: Are Social Media Posts a Direct SEO Ranking Factor?

As a small business owner, you’ve been told you need to be on social media. You post pictures of your work, share updates, and maybe even run a few ads. But does all that effort actually help you rank on Google? The short answer is no, not directly. Google has stated that social media signals—likes, shares, and comments—are not a direct ranking factor in their algorithm. So, does that mean you should ditch social media entirely? Absolutely not. The true connection between social media engagement and SEO is much more powerful and strategic than you think.

The Real Connection: How Social Media Indirectly Boosts Your Rankings

While a share on Facebook won't immediately push you to the top of Google, social media is a powerful tool that contributes to your online authority and visibility in three key ways:

1. Driving Qualified Website Traffic

Every time you share a link to your website, a new blog post, or a project gallery on social media, you’re creating an opportunity for a potential customer to visit your site. This increased traffic is a positive signal to Google, especially when visitors spend time on your site. This tells Google that your website is a valuable resource, which helps improve your overall search ranking over time.

2. Building Brand Authority and Branded Searches

When you're consistently active on social media—engaging with followers, sharing valuable content, and showcasing your work—you build trust and authority in your local community. This leads to more "branded searches." For example, instead of searching for "plumber Grand Rapids," people start searching for "JNM Plumbing Grand Rapids." Branded searches are a powerful signal to Google that your business is legitimate and trustworthy, which can lead to higher rankings for all of your keywords.

3. Content Amplification and Backlinks

Creating great content, like a blog post or a case study, is only half the battle. Social media is how you get that content in front of your audience. When you share a compelling article on LinkedIn or a stunning project video on Instagram, you increase its visibility. This exposure can lead to others in your industry or local media outlets seeing and linking to your content, creating high-quality backlinks that are a major factor in SEO.

Ready to Make Your Social Media Work for You?

A smart digital marketing strategy isn’t about choosing between SEO and social media—it’s about using them together to build a powerful, cohesive online presence. At JNM Creative, we specialize in creating a seamless strategy where your social media efforts directly support your SEO goals, turning likes and shares into phone calls and leads.

Stop wasting time on social media. Schedule your free 30-minute strategy session with JNM Creative today. We’ll show you how to use social media strategically to grow your business and improve your online visibility.