Search engine marketing is a form of internet marketing that involves the promotion of websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results pages primarily through paid advertising. SEM may incorporate search engine optimization (SEO), which organically pushes your web presence to the top of search results through key terms and understanding search engine algorithms, but it also makes use of more direct means of promotion. If you have ever done a Google search and seen links with the note “ad” next to them, then you have seen search engine marketing in action. Search engine marketing also includes search engine links that go directly to product pages. These are known as product listing ads (PLAs), and their visual element allows viewers to get an immediate understanding of the goods and services being offered at a glance. These paid spots not only allow you a shortcut to the top of the search listings, but they are also a boon to your most motivated customers. These are people who already know what they want; they were prepared to make a purchase from the moment they started typing into the search bar. While these methods may cost more out of pocket than your standard SEO pursuits, they compensate by cutting out the usual marketing rigor for customers who are essentially already sold on your product. For these customers, it truly is a matter of being seen first. While the initial investment in paid advertising may be off-putting, it is sure to be offset by the instant transactions you will make from them.