SEM is a very effective way for businesses and organizations to reach new customers, increase revenues, and trim acquisition costs. The most commonly known and used paid search tool is Google Ads.

SEM works by leveraging the power of search engines like Google through paid ads to reach potential customers at the perfect time and place. The SEM meaning is more commonly used to refer to pay-per-click advertising because of the paid search methods used.

The difference between SEM and SEO is SEM marketing primarily uses paid search advertising, while SEO is a more organic means of generating visibility. But it’s not really SEO vs SEM either. They do work together closely as a team.