Marketing & measurement
SEM
Search engine marketing: promoting visibility through search; often used specifically for paid search advertising.
In everyday use
A business runs search ads for a relevant query.
What to keep in mind
Some definitions include SEO too. Specify whether you mean paid search or the wider discipline.
Also searched as: search engine marketing
Further reading
Original explanation and example by Perspectism. Further reading may cover the wider subject, rather than this exact wording. Edition updated 7 October 2026.
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