How does Social Media really Impact SEO?

[AmyLB]

It's become a common refrain that social media is critical to SEO. Taking this literally, I have been examining the impact of social media on specific pages and topical areas within my site. Specifically, I am looking at pages and content areas that we promote and link to via social media and I am seeing zero correlation to SEO success. Social media is not impacting my rankings at all. And we have a sizable social footprint.

Has anyone else done this type of analysis and seen different results?

[OlegKorneitchouk]

Social is taken into account but is currently not very influential in SERPs. Expect its significance to increase.

Check out

Chat w/ Matt Cutt's saying social is not a strong factor but is considered
http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2199092/Spotlight-Keynote-With-Matt-Cutts-SESSF

Danny Sullivan & Matt Cutts - Social v Links debate
http://www.seroundtable.com/google-links-social-15396.html

Analysis of impact of links, mentions and shares on rankings http://www.seomoz.org/blog/the-impact-of-authoritative-links-mentions-and-shares-on-rankings

[AmyLB]

Thanks so much

[ChristopherM]

Hi Barret,

Have you watched these two Whiteboard Friday's by SEOmoz:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUrl6p53yfo
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5649gtXA4o

These aren't new videos, but there is a good amount of information in the mix that you could learn from.

Otherwise, a simple search on the SEOmoz Blog or Search Engine Watch will reveal an assortment of great links to read.

Hope that helps!