The impact of social media on SEO is all too clear. Both Google and Bing have made it clear that the number of social recommendations is an important ranking parameter.
It is obvious that your social shares will be maximized if you are present on a social network that has the maximum number of users. And undoubtedly, Facebook is ahead of the pack.
Just think about it. Practically everyone you know is on Facebook. As of October 2012, there are 1 billion Facebook users and this is sure to contain a large chunk of your customers.
Why Facebook is Crucial for SEO
When you are present on Facebook, it is easy for more people to connect with you because many people are on Facebook (remember 1 billion and counting?). And when you share a link on Facebook, you receive much more click-thrus to your website (than from other networks) because maximum people have connected with you. This traffic surge has a direct impact on enhancing your search rankings.
Secondly with exposure to more people on Facebook, there are higher chances of more people linking back to your content from their own websites. And natural organic back links still carry considerable SEO value.
And of course, the social signals that come from people sharing your content on Facebook boosts SEO. In fact an analysis by SearchMetrics puts Facebook shares and likes as having the highest correlation with high search rankings.
4 Strategies to Leverage the SEO Potential of Facebook
1. Choose the Right Name for Your Facebook Page
Avoid the temptation to use generic keywords as your Facebook page name. Facebook is very particular about this and may revoke administrative rights to such pages without notice.
For instance, if you are a photographer, don’t use ‘photography’ in your page name, but, ‘Joe’s Wedding Photography’ is good.
It is a good idea to stick to your business name, as your Facebook page name because it allows the opportunity for your Facebook page to rank at the top of the SERP below your official website. Thus you can dominate greater space on page 1 of the SERP, and push unfavorable results, if any, beyond the first page.
2.Use Keyword Optimized Text at the Right Places
In the ‘About’ tab, use the 250 character limit wisely with your important keywords to maximize SEO value.
The ‘Info’ tab in your Facebook page is important for descriptive metadata. The fields for the ‘Info’ tab vary depending on your chosen Facebook Page category. For local businesses, it includes address, zip code etc, for product pages, it includes, product name, model number etc. So make sure you fill them up with the right keywords, so that they show up in the Google searches and the right description enhances click thru traffic, further boosting your search rank.
And when you share a link on Facebook, the first 18 characters (where you say something about the link) have maximum SEO value. Use that opportunity wisely with the right keywords.
3.Using Links Optimally for Facebook SEO
When you post updates on your Facebook page, include links to your website. Though Facebook links are no-follow, Google boosts pages that link to relevant sites. Thus it increases the SEO value of your Facebook page and helps it rank higher.
Link to your Facebook page from your website and also focus on getting more inbound links for your Facebook page. Remember traditional SEO rules where inbound links boost the SEO value of a web page. The same principle is applicable here too.
How have you used Facebook for your SEO?
About Author:
Yasir Khan, founder of post Penguin link building company Quantum SEO Labs wrote this insightful post. Yasir is based in Canada and is amongst Canada’s leading SEO consultants.
