New report from GroupM and comScore indicates that search engine marketing and social media combined has a huge impact on consumers’ purchasing decision online. It’s worth reading the entire report to understand how SEO and social are interdependent in driving conversion rates. GroupM and comScore looked at consumer behavior associated with purchase decisions in the electronics/telecommunications and consumer packaged goods categories. While a whopping 86 percent of consumers say search engines are very important in their buying process, social media plays an equally critical role in influencing their decision.

Forty percent of consumers who use search in their path to purchase are motivated to use social media to further their decision making process.

More than a quarter of those surveyed (28 percent) said sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter help them learn about new brands and products.

Thirty percent said they used social media to eliminate brands from contention.

Two most important influentials in social media affecting purchases are user reviews and category blogs, rather than Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Read more at www.livingstonbuzz.com