SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) are two digital marketing strategies that aim to improve the online visibility of a website. Although both have the goal of attracting traffic to a website, there are key differences between them.

Focus: SEO focuses on optimizing a website to improve its ranking in organic search results, while SEM includes both organic optimization and pay-per-click advertising (such as Google Ads). The goal of SEM is to increase visibility in both organic and paid search results.

Tactics: SEO uses tactics such as keyword research, content optimization, link building, and improving user experience to increase a website’s ranking. On the other hand, SEM uses paid ads to reach users searching for specific terms.

Cost: SEO is a long-term strategy that generally requires an investment of time and effort. Although it can be more cost-effective in the long run, the results may take time to manifest. SEM, on the other hand, can generate quick results but often involves a cost per click on your ads.

Results: SEO results can be long-lasting and persist even after you stop investing in optimization. SEM, on the other hand, can generate quick results but they may disappear as soon as you stop investing in paid advertising.