What Is SEM?
SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is the process of gaining website traffic by purchasing ads on search engines. This is mostly done through Google Ads & Microsoft Advertising (Bing).
Paid Search Synonyms & Acronyms
“Search Engine Marketing” is used as an umbrella term to include both SEO (search engine optimization) and paid search. Over time, the industry has adopted the SEM acronym to refer mainly to paid search.
At Lambos Digital, we generally use SEM, PPC and “Paid Search” to refer to paid advertising with the longer term of search marketing used to encompass both SEO and SEM. Below are some of the most common terms also used to refer to SEM activities:
- Paid search ads
- Paid search advertising
- PPC (pay-per-click)
- PPC (pay-per-call) – some ads, particularly those served to mobile search users, may be charged by the number of clicks that resulted in a direct call from a smartphone.
- CPC (cost-per-click)
SEM / PPC For Beginners
Google Ads is by many measures the most popular paid search platform used by search marketers, followed by Microsoft Advertising, which also serves a significant portion of ads on Yahoo.
Beyond that, there are a number of “2nd tier PPC platforms” as well as PPC advertising options on the major social networks.
In addition to covering general paid search trends, you can find some basic articles to help you get started learning and building a paid search account below:
- Search Engine Marketing
- Google Ads Set Up
- Keyword Research
- Google Ads Account Management
- Google Ads Production Tasks
Pay Per Click Advertising Tips & Tactics
At Lambos Digital, we take pride is treating Google Ads like a science. This has led us to create documentation that outlines so of our best practices. We also love to write about these in our blog.
Learn Expert Tips In Google Ads
- Reduce Overall Cost Per Acquisition
- Drive Higher Quality Leads and Sales
- Improve Ad Effectiveness