SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing, which refers to the practice of promoting a website or online content through paid advertising on search engines. The goal of SEM is to increase website visibility and drive targeted traffic to a website or landing page through paid search engine advertising.

SEM involves a range of techniques, including keyword research, ad creation, ad targeting, and bid management. Keyword research involves identifying the keywords and phrases that users are searching for related to a particular topic or business. Ad creation involves creating text or display ads that are visually appealing and relevant to the target audience. Ad targeting involves selecting specific demographics, interests, and behaviors to target with the ad. Bid management involves setting bid prices for specific keywords and adjusting bids based on performance.

SEM can be highly effective in driving website traffic and generating leads and sales, as it allows businesses to target users who are actively searching for specific products or services related to their business. However, it can also be highly competitive and expensive, as businesses compete for the top ad positions on search engine results pages.

Overall, SEM is an important digital marketing strategy for businesses of all sizes, as it can help increase brand visibility, drive targeted traffic, and generate leads and sales through paid search engine advertising.