Empirically, the answer would be no, but do not be disheartened. Read further to see the other little-known SEO value Twitter can offer. The empirical answer to the question surrounds the “no follow” attribute that Twitter, and many other social media channels place on links on their sites.
By placing a “no follow” attribute, most search engines will not pass on page rank to your website, nor follow or index that link.
Moving away from the empirical answer If we look at the wider picture, not by any means negating the value of page rank but not getting too hung up about page rank, Twitter can work to enhance your online presence and website visibility. If we look at search engine optimisation from all perspectives, SEO is about driving traffic, increasing visibility and making sure your website is optimised. If people on Twitter are tweeting about your website and sharing links, this presents an excellent social media marketing channel and will channel traffic your way. Twitter can and does create a buzz around companies, their products and brands. Arguably we are getting bogged down in semantics, Twitter definitely helps with search engine marketing (SEM). Build your campaign to combine SEO, SMO and SEM and you are guaranteed greater success.
Social media optimisation – inbound marketing (and SEO) As mentioned above, not all search engines stick to the “no follow” attribute. Ask.com is known to follow “no follow” links so there is definitely an SEO value in Twitter. Add the fact that reports are emerging that Yahoo and Bing are disregarding “no follow” requests and the SEO value of Twitter is growing. These two search engines are possibly so hungry for market share that they are gobbling up as much of the internet as possible.
Twitter is, without a doubt, an essential tool for inbound marketing.
