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How to Use Social Media to Rank on Google

How to Use Social Media to Rank on Google

Most marketers still think of social media and SEO as two completely separate channels.

But in reality, using social media to rank on Google is one of the most powerful and underutilized strategies you can implement—especially if you’re already creating content.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly how it works, why it matters, and how to start today.


Why Social Media Matters for SEO

While Google doesn’t treat social shares as a direct ranking factor, it does prioritize:

  • Traffic to your site

  • Engagement and time on page

  • Backlinks and brand mentions

  • Authoritativeness

When your social media content drives traffic and visibility, it sends strong signals to Google about your site’s relevance.


5 Ways to Use Social Media to Improve Google Rankings

1. Use Keywords in Your Captions and Posts

Just like in blogs, use relevant keywords in your:

  • Post headlines and captions

  • Hashtags

  • Alt text for images

  • Video descriptions

Example: Want to rank for “lead generation strategy”? Use that phrase clearly in your LinkedIn headline or Instagram caption.

2. Link Social Posts Back to Optimized Pages

Instead of sharing generic homepage links, drive users to SEO-focused content like:

  • Blog posts

  • Lead magnets

  • Case studies

  • Pillar pages

This creates a trail from social to search.

3. Build Engagement That Signals Authority

High engagement doesn’t just improve your reach—it increases your content’s discoverability and shareability. That often leads to backlinks, which are critical for SEO.

To encourage interaction:

  • Ask questions

  • Tag relevant people or brands

  • Respond to comments quickly

4. Repurpose High-Performing Content

Extend your blog’s lifespan by turning it into:

  • A LinkedIn carousel

  • A Twitter/X thread

  • A short video

  • A SlideShare or PDF guide

The more your content appears on authoritative domains, the more Google sees it as trustworthy.

5. Stay Consistent

The best SEO results come from momentum.
Post consistently and build a rhythm—Google picks up on content frequency and freshness.

Real Example: From Social Posts to Page 1

We worked with a client targeting “ecommerce SEO strategy.”
Rather than just publishing a blog, we:

  • Created keyword-aligned social posts

  • Shared them across LinkedIn, X, and Instagram

  • Linked each post back to the main article

  • Repackaged the blog into a short video

In under 6 weeks, their article moved to page 1 on Google for the target term.

Final Thoughts

Social media isn’t a replacement for SEO—it’s an amplifier.
If you’re already posting, you’re sitting on a powerful opportunity to boost your rankings organically.

So the next time you write a blog, publish a case study, or launch a new product—ask yourself:

“How can I use this content to rank on Google using social?”

Ready to Combine Your SEO and Social Strategy?

We help brands create simple, high-impact content that works across platforms and improves your rankings.

👉 Get in touch for a custom strategy, or DM us with “SEO Boost” to start.






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