What is SEM?
If you’ve seen ads appear at the top or right of search engines, then you already know what SEM is. It is a type of marketing that involves positioning a URL or ad on the SERP to maximize traffic and increase visibility for a website.
SEM often involves paid search, where companies pay to have their ads show up at the very top of the results page. When your ads display in these optimal, highly visible positions, your business can have an edge over your competition. Plus, most searchers only click on the first few results, which gives these premium ad spots a visual advantage to catch the attention of your future customers.
Paid search ads are typically distinguished with an “ad” designation in front of the URL. Ads may also appear as a list of product images which lead to more information about purchasing products related to the search terms that were entered. The brand is then charged when a consumer clicks on an ad, also known as pay-per-click (PPC) marketing.