SEM

Meaning

SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing: a broad term for promoting a website through search, often including paid search advertising as well as SEO. The two work differently: SEO earns unpaid visibility by making pages relevant and trustworthy, while paid search buys placement for as long as the budget lasts. Google's documentation states that it does not accept payment to rank a site higher in organic results. Many businesses use both, since ads give quick visibility and SEO builds a steadier base. See also: PPC, SEO, and the guide SEO Full Form: What Search Engine Optimisation Means.