I pride myself on being able to explain SEO concepts in a clear, simple fashion to my clients, but today a potential client told me that for her SEO was about as “clear as mud”. I think we all have subject matter where we naturally tune out and the information has hard time sinking in. For a lot of people new to SEO this is clearly the case. So here’s the super simplified version: SEO is public relations.

PR campaigns try to communicate messages to target audiences in the context where they are most likely to be receptive like magazines, newspapers, etc.

SEO tries to get your message in front of your target audience in the context where they are most likely to be receptive like search results and social media sites.

The big difference between SEO and traditional PR is that I don’t have to try to get Google to come to my press conference.

(apologies to all PR professionals for massive over-simplification to make a point)

Local SEO Tip of the Day: In case you missed it read my post on Keyword Expansion

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7 Response Comments

  • SEO Pune  March 10, 2008 at 11:02 pm

    ‘Content is king …..but PR is the queen ‘, this seems to be the most repeatedly used term by SEOs lately. But then again what is PR, nobody seems to be quite sure about that .Please do share if possible.

  • seolearner  March 11, 2008 at 2:23 am

    Wait for more article to see how you explain about SEO. I just newbie, and need to know more about SEO.

  • SEO Consultant  March 27, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    I think PR people get a little put off by SEO because their so used to having to do face to face relations that when you tell them you can do it all online their not excited.

  • dhurowitz  March 29, 2008 at 5:02 am

    SEO delivers information to an audience that seeks it out, PR seeks out an audience. Push marketing VS. Pull marketing.

  • Andrew Shotland  March 29, 2008 at 7:37 am

    Very fancy d, but I don’t know about that. Don’t I seek out information by reading a newspaper which basically reprints press releases? Splitting hairs I guess, but that’s what blogs are for right?

  • Halim - Belajar SEO  June 27, 2008 at 3:18 am

    That is simple explanation of SEO, from the title I thought it was SEO is PR(page rank)..hehe..public relationship..hmm..of course.

  • Toko Blog  December 6, 2011 at 10:03 am

    wow.. PR?? Page rank? right? but about PR and seo,I choose seo. due to the optimization of websites that will enhance the visitor then PR go up