SEO vs PPC: Taste the Difference

Hi! I’m Deanna, the Content Lead at Avalanche Creative. I’m filling in for Lance this week while he is on parental leave.

A few weeks ago, Lance asked in our company Slack channel, “What’s the difference between SEO and PPC?” For whatever reason (maybe because he asked right before lunch?), many on our team turned to food analogies to illustrate the difference. Here are some of our favorites:

Have your cake, and eat it, too

Alex, Junior SEO: “PPC is like making a cake with a box mix—it’s easy, simple, and great if you’re looking for immediate success. SEO is like making cake from scratch—it takes time to perfect, but it can lead to more long-term success (you now have a great cake recipe!).”

Reap what you sow

Jennifer, SEO Manager: “SEO is like farming: You plant the seeds and harvest the crops down the line. PPC is like going to the grocery store: It’s convenient, but unpredictable. You may have to pay a premium just to get what you need—and once it runs out, that’s it.”

Become a customer favorite

Deanna, Content Lead: “On a restaurant menu, PPC would be the special of the day: It comes and goes depending on resources, popularity, etc. SEO would be a beloved menu staple: You know it’s good because it earned its spot.”