Tier 7 — Social and Community: profiles, OG cards, engagement

Originally published at thatdevpro.com. This article is part of the 14-tier Engine Optimization stack from ThatDevPro, an SDVOSB-certified veteran-owned web + AI engineering studio. You are reading the Dev.to republish; the canonical source is on ThatDevPro.com. Source repo for the AI-citation surfaces: github.com/Janady13/aio-surfaces.

Tier Explanation: Turns social platforms into searchable ranking and community signals that feed back into Google, AI engines, and brand authority. In 2026, social platforms (especially TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and X) function as primary search engines. Algorithms prioritize keyword-rich captions, on-screen text, spoken words, authentic engagement, dwell time, community signals, and UGC. External links are often deprioritized — content must work natively on each platform. Strong social presence boosts E-E-A-T, AI citations, and branded search volume. All actions execute on social profiles, posts, bios, embedded website elements, and supporting infrastructure. Tiers 1–6 must be in place first.

Related Frameworks

This tier implements the following framework documents in the /Framework/ library. Consult them for canonical reference, audit rubrics, and detailed implementation patterns.

• framework-digitalpr.md — Earned mentions across social platforms
• framework-videoseo.md — TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube optimization
• framework-eeat.md — User-generated proof and engagement signals
• framework-trustsignals.md — Social proof and community signals

A. Social Brand & Profile (3)

1. SBO — Social Brand Optimization

• Maintain consistent branding across every social profile: logo, banner, color palette, voice, founder photo
• Use the same handle across platforms when possible (e.g., @thatdeveloperguy on every platform)
• Optimize bio sections with keyword-rich descriptions including primary services and location
• Add link-in-bio tools (Linktree alternative or self-hosted) routing to high-conversion pages
• Verify profiles on every eligible platform (Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook)
• Cross-reference profiles via sameAs in Organization schema per Tier 1 EEA
• Add a dedicated /connect/ or /social/ hub page with all verified profile links
• Audit profile completeness quarterly — every field filled, contact info accurate, hours updated

Code Example — Social hub page with sameAs schema:

<section class="social-hub">
  <h1>Connect with ThatDeveloperGuy</h1>
  <p>Follow our work across every platform. Same expertise, different formats.</p>

  <ul class="social-grid">
    <li>
      <a href="https://linkedin.com/company/thatdeveloperguy" rel="me noopener">
        <strong>LinkedIn</strong>
        <span>Long-form thought leadership and case studies</span>
      </a>
    </li>
    <li>
      <a href="https://x.com/thatdeveloperguy" rel="me noopener">
        <strong>X (Twitter)</strong>
        <span>Daily AI search updates and quick insights</span>
      </a>
    </li>
    <li>
      <a href="https://youtube.com/@thatdeveloperguy" rel="me noopener">
        <strong>YouTube</strong>
        <span>Tutorials, walkthroughs, and webinar replays</span>
      </a>
    </li>
    <li>
      <a href="https://tiktok.com/@thatdeveloperguy" rel="me noopener">
        <strong>TikTok</strong>
        <span>Short-form SEO and AI search tips</span>
      </a>
    </li>
  </ul>
</section>

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://linkedin.com/company/thatdeveloperguy",
    "https://x.com/thatdeveloperguy",
    "https://youtube.com/@thatdeveloperguy",
    "https://tiktok.com/@thatdeveloperguy",
    "https://instagram.com/thatdeveloperguy",
    "https://facebook.com/thatdeveloperguy"
  ]
}
</script>

• Validation: All profiles verified, sameAs schema includes every active platform, branding consistency audit passes 100%

2. SPO — Social Platform Optimization

LinkedIn Optimization:

• Optimize company page About section with primary keywords and clear value proposition
• Maintain personal founder profile with consistent professional headshot and complete experience history
• Publish weekly long-form articles directly on LinkedIn — dwell time matters more than likes in 2026
• Use LinkedIn newsletters to build subscriber base independent of algorithm
• Avoid external links in posts — LinkedIn deprioritizes them heavily; place links in first comment
• Use document carousels and native video — both get 5x more reach than text posts
• Engage authentically in comments on industry posts before publishing your own (the "engagement-then-post" pattern)

X (Twitter) Optimization:

• Optimize bio with primary keyword, location, and clear CTA
• Post threads on flagship topics — Grok-powered search rewards depth and current relevance
• Use X Lists to track competitors, journalists, and industry voices
• Pin best-performing tweet promoting flagship content
• Engage in real-time conversations during industry events with relevant hashtags
• Avoid pure broadcast — reply, quote-tweet, and converse for algorithmic boost
• Cross-link X posts on owned content for embed-as-citation strategy

Pinterest Optimization:

• Create vertical pin images (1000×1500px) with keyword-rich titles overlaid as text
• Write keyword-rich pin descriptions (200–500 characters) optimized for Pinterest search
• Build topic-specific boards mirroring site pillar structure
• Add ImageObject and rich pin schema for products, articles, and recipes
• Publish 5–10 pins per week — Pinterest rewards consistency over bursts
• Repurpose blog featured images into pin-optimized variants automatically

Code Example — Embedded LinkedIn post with surrounding context:

<article class="embedded-social">
  <h2>Featured Insight from Our LinkedIn</h2>
  <p>Joseph's recent breakdown of why most agencies miss AI citation opportunities — discussion thread with 200+ comments from industry leaders:</p>

  <div class="linkedin-embed">
    <iframe
      src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:share:POST_ID"
      height="400"
      width="100%"
      frameborder="0"
      allowfullscreen
      title="LinkedIn post: Why most agencies miss AI citation opportunities"
      loading="lazy">
    </iframe>
  </div>

  <p>Read the full discussion <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/josephanady_ai-search-citations" rel="noopener">on LinkedIn</a> or see our complete framework in the <a href="/guides/ai-search-optimization/">guide</a>.</p>
</article>

• Validation: Each platform has documented optimization playbook, posting cadence maintained, platform-specific KPIs tracked monthly

3. EMO — Employee Advocacy Optimization

• Build employee advocacy program where team members share branded content from personal profiles
• Create internal "share kit" with pre-written post variants per platform
• Track Employee-Generated Content (EGC) — EGC reaches 8x further than corporate posts
• Build employee bios on /team/ page with Person schema and links to professional profiles
• Encourage employees to maintain worksFor schema linkage on their personal sites
• Use tools like Bambu, EveryoneSocial, or GaggleAMP to coordinate advocacy programs
• Reward authentic engagement with internal recognition, not forced quota systems
• Train team on personal brand basics — every employee voice strengthens the company entity

Code Example — Team page with employee Person schema:

<section class="team-grid">
  <h2>The Team</h2>

  <article class="team-member" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person">
    <img src="/team/joseph-anady.jpg" alt="Joseph W. Anady" itemprop="image">
    <h3 itemprop="name">Joseph W. Anady</h3>
    <p itemprop="jobTitle">Founder & Lead Developer</p>
    <ul class="social-links">
      <li><a itemprop="sameAs" href="https://linkedin.com/in/josephanady" rel="me noopener">LinkedIn</a></li>
      <li><a itemprop="sameAs" href="https://x.com/josephanady" rel="me noopener">X</a></li>
    </ul>
    <meta itemprop="worksFor" content="https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization">
  </article>
</section>

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization",
  "employee": [{
    "@type": "Person",
    "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/about/joseph-anady/#person",
    "name": "Joseph W. Anady",
    "jobTitle": "Founder & Lead Developer"
  }]
}
</script>

• Validation: 80%+ of team members active in advocacy program, EGC posts outperform corporate posts in reach, team Person schemas validate

B. Content & Engagement (4)

4. SVO — Social Video Optimization

TikTok-specific:

• Place primary keyword in spoken audio within first 3 seconds (TikTok's algorithm transcribes and indexes)
• Add on-screen text matching spoken keywords for redundant signal
• Write keyword-rich captions (up to 4,000 characters now allowed) with relevant hashtags
• Hook viewers in first 3 seconds — completion rate is the dominant ranking signal
• Use trending sounds when topically relevant — boost discovery without losing brand fit
• Reply to comments with video replies for compound engagement signal
• Cross-post to Reels and YouTube Shorts to maximize per-asset reach

Instagram Reels-specific:

• Vertical 9:16 format, 1080×1920px, 30–90 seconds optimal length
• Front-load keyword-rich captions — first line is what's shown in search and feed
• Add alt text on every Reel cover for accessibility and Instagram search indexing
• Use 3–5 niche hashtags (over-hashtagging signals spam in 2026)
• Add on-screen text for sound-off viewing (60% of users watch muted)

Universal short-form video:

• Maintain consistent posting cadence (3–5 per week minimum) — algorithm rewards consistency
• Build content series with consistent visual identity for recognition
• Repurpose long-form video into 30+ short-form clips per piece
• Embed top-performing short-form videos on related blog posts

Code Example — Embedded short-form video with schema:

<figure class="reel-embed">
  <div class="vertical-video-wrapper">
    <iframe
      src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/REEL_ID/embed"
      width="320"
      height="560"
      frameborder="0"
      scrolling="no"
      allowtransparency="true"
      loading="lazy"
      title="Instagram Reel: 14-tier framework explained in 60 seconds">
    </iframe>
  </div>
  <figcaption>Watch the full breakdown on <a href="https://instagram.com/reel/REEL_ID" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://tiktok.com/@thatdeveloperguy/video/VIDEO_ID" rel="noopener">TikTok</a></figcaption>
</figure>

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "VideoObject",
  "name": "14-Tier AI Search Framework Explained",
  "description": "Quick 60-second breakdown of the engine optimization framework",
  "thumbnailUrl": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/social/reel-cover.jpg",
  "uploadDate": "2026-04-15",
  "duration": "PT1M",
  "embedUrl": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/REEL_ID/embed",
  "transcript": "Most agencies focus on Google rankings. But in 2026, AI search is where citations happen..."
}
</script>

• Validation: 3+ short-form videos posted per week per platform, average completion rate above 50%, top-performing clips cross-embedded on owned site

5. SFO — Social Feed Optimization

• Embed live social feeds (Instagram, TikTok, X) on homepage and relevant content pages
• Use keyword-rich surrounding text to give context to embedded social content
• Build "Latest from Our Socials" dynamic section that auto-updates via API or RSS
• Add structured data linking embedded posts back to their canonical platform URLs
• Maintain content calendar with cross-platform posting schedule
• Use platform-native scheduling tools (Meta Business Suite, X Ads, LinkedIn Scheduler) for organic reach
• Vary content types per platform — don't broadcast identical posts everywhere
• Track per-platform engagement rate, not just follower count

Code Example — Dynamic social feed embed:

<section class="social-feed">
  <h2>Latest Updates from Our Channels</h2>

  <div class="feed-grid">
    <div class="feed-column">
      <h3>From X</h3>
      <a class="twitter-timeline"
         data-height="600"
         data-theme="light"
         href="https://twitter.com/thatdeveloperguy">
        Tweets by ThatDeveloperGuy
      </a>
    </div>

    <div class="feed-column">
      <h3>From LinkedIn</h3>
      <iframe
        src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/POST_ID"
        height="400"
        width="100%"
        loading="lazy"
        title="Recent LinkedIn posts">
      </iframe>
    </div>
  </div>

  <p class="context">
    We share AI search insights, framework updates, and case studies daily across all major platforms.
    <a href="/connect/">See all our channels →</a>
  </p>
</section>

• Validation: Social feed embeds load under 3 seconds, engagement metrics tracked per platform, surrounding text includes target keywords

6. CGO — Community Growth Optimization

• Embed active comment sections on blog posts using moderated platforms (Disqus, Hyvor, Commento, native CMS)
• Add "Join the Conversation" CTAs linking to your social communities
• Display community engagement metrics on-site ("1,200+ subscribers", "500+ Discord members")
• Build community recognition program: feature top contributors, highlight UGC, run challenges
• Create dedicated /community/ page showcasing member work, success stories, and engagement
• Set community guidelines clearly to maintain quality engagement
• Respond to comments within 24 hours — engagement velocity signals algorithm
• Use AI-powered moderation tools to scale community management without losing authenticity

Code Example — Community CTA + comment section:

<section class="community-section">
  <h2>Join 1,200+ Engineers Building Smarter Sites</h2>
  <p>Get weekly updates, exclusive tutorials, and direct access to our private community.</p>

  <div class="community-platforms">
    <a href="https://discord.gg/thatdeveloperguy" class="cta-discord" rel="noopener">
      Join Discord (450+ members)
    </a>
    <a href="/newsletter/" class="cta-newsletter">
      Subscribe to Newsletter
    </a>
  </div>
</section>

<section class="comments-section" id="discussion">
  <h2>Discussion</h2>
  <div id="disqus_thread"></div>
  <script>
    var disqus_config = function () {
      this.page.url = window.location.href;
      this.page.identifier = document.body.getAttribute('data-page-id');
    };
    (function() {
      var d = document, s = d.createElement('script');
      s.src = 'https://thatdeveloperguy.disqus.com/embed.js';
      s.setAttribute('data-timestamp', +new Date());
      (d.head || d.body).appendChild(s);
    })();
  </script>
</section>

• Validation: Active comment sections on top 20 pages, average response time under 24 hours, community membership growing 5%+ monthly

7. OCO — Owned Community Optimization

• Build owned community on platforms you control: Discord, Circle, Mighty Networks, Slack, self-hosted forums
• Avoid Facebook Groups for serious community-building — algorithm changes destroy reach overnight
• Add community access as gated benefit (free tier or paid tier based on business model)
• Build searchable archive of community discussions indexed by topic for SEO benefit
• Use community Q&A as content fuel — popular questions become blog posts, videos, podcasts
• Run community-exclusive events: AMAs, live tutorials, beta access, member-only research
• Track community health metrics: weekly active members, message velocity, retention curve
• Cross-pollinate community content with public content — best discussions become published case studies

Code Example — Community access tier integration:

<section class="community-access" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/MemberProgram">
  <h2 itemprop="name">ThatDeveloperGuy Community</h2>

  <div class="tier-cards">
    <article class="tier-card">
      <h3>Free Tier</h3>
      <ul>
        <li>Discord access (450+ members)</li>
        <li>Weekly newsletter</li>
        <li>Public Q&A archive</li>
      </ul>
      <a href="https://discord.gg/thatdeveloperguy" rel="noopener" class="btn">Join Free</a>
    </article>

    <article class="tier-card featured">
      <h3>Pro Tier ($49/mo)</h3>
      <ul>
        <li>Everything in Free</li>
        <li>Private Slack channel</li>
        <li>Monthly office hours with Joseph</li>
        <li>Beta access to new tools</li>
      </ul>
      <a href="/community/pro/" class="btn-primary">Upgrade to Pro</a>
    </article>
  </div>
</section>

• Validation: Owned community platform launched, 500+ active members within 6 months, monthly active rate above 40%

C. Discovery & Search on Social (3)

8. HAO — Hashtag Authority Optimization

• Research and own 3–5 niche-specific branded hashtags (e.g., #ThatDeveloperGuyTips, #14TierFramework)
• Build dedicated landing pages for branded hashtags showing campaign aggregation
• Use 3–5 hashtags per post in 2026 — over-hashtagging signals spam to most algorithms
• Mix hashtag strategy: 1 broad (high-volume), 2 niche (medium-volume), 2 branded
• Track hashtag performance per platform — tags that work on Instagram may flop on LinkedIn
• Encourage UGC under branded hashtags via incentive campaigns
• Add hashtag aggregation widgets to relevant on-site pages
• Audit hashtag relevance quarterly — tags drift in meaning over time

Code Example — Branded hashtag campaign page:

<section class="hashtag-campaign">
  <h1>#14TierFramework — See How Others Are Using It</h1>

  <p class="campaign-intro">
    Tag your AI search optimization wins with #14TierFramework on any platform.
    We feature the best implementations every Friday.
  </p>

  <div class="campaign-aggregation">
    <iframe
      src="https://www.juicer.io/api/feeds/14tierframework/iframe"
      title="Aggregated #14TierFramework posts"
      width="100%"
      height="600"
      frameborder="0"
      loading="lazy">
    </iframe>
  </div>

  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/14tierframework" rel="noopener" class="cta">
    See on Instagram
  </a>
  <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/14tierframework" rel="noopener" class="cta">
    See on TikTok
  </a>
</section>

• Validation: 3+ branded hashtags actively used, hashtag campaign page tracks UGC, 100+ posts per branded hashtag within 6 months

9. QPO — Q&A Platform Optimization

Reddit-specific:

• Identify 5–10 relevant subreddits in your niche, become genuine community member before posting
• Follow 9:1 rule — engage 9 times for every promotional post
• Host AMAs (Ask Me Anything) on relevant subreddits when established
• Build "Discuss on Reddit" CTAs on flagship content with pre-filled post templates
• Embed top Reddit threads on related content pages (with mod permission)
• Use Reddit's search to find unanswered questions — answer comprehensively, link only when natural
• Avoid Reddit promotion outside designated self-promo subreddits — bans are permanent

Quora-specific:

• Identify top questions in your niche by view count and follower count
• Write comprehensive answers under your verified author profile with credentials
• Embed Quora answers as testimonial-style proof on related blog posts
• Build "Answered on Quora" sections linking to your high-performing answers
• Update old answers — Quora ranks recently-edited content higher
• Build mirror "answer hub" pages on your own site mirroring top Quora questions

Code Example — Reddit CTA with pre-filled post:

<section class="reddit-cta">
  <h3>Discuss This Article</h3>
  <p>Share your thoughts with the community on Reddit:</p>

  <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/submit?title=Complete%20Guide%20to%20AI%20Search%20Optimization&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthatdeveloperguy.com%2Fguides%2Fai-search-optimization%2F"
     class="btn-reddit"
     rel="noopener">
    Share on r/SEO
  </a>

  <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bigseo/submit?title=Complete%20Guide%20to%20AI%20Search%20Optimization&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthatdeveloperguy.com%2Fguides%2Fai-search-optimization%2F"
     class="btn-reddit"
     rel="noopener">
    Share on r/bigseo
  </a>
</section>

<aside class="quora-answers">
  <h3>Related Questions Answered on Quora</h3>
  <ul>
    <li><a href="https://www.quora.com/What-is-AI-search-optimization" rel="noopener">What is AI search optimization?</a> — 12k views</li>
    <li><a href="https://www.quora.com/How-does-Perplexity-choose-citations" rel="noopener">How does Perplexity choose its citations?</a> — 8k views</li>
  </ul>
</aside>

• Validation: Active engagement in 5+ subreddits, 20+ comprehensive Quora answers, Q&A platform referral traffic tracked in GA4

10. SXP — Search Everywhere Presence

• Map every platform users might search for your brand or topic: Google, Bing, ChatGPT, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit
• Optimize bio and profile description on each platform with consistent keyword-rich content
• Build "Find Us Everywhere" hub page listing all platform presences with verified links
• Track per-platform branded search volume — TikTok search now rivals Google for under-30 demographics
• Audit platform search results monthly: search your brand name, document what surfaces
• Optimize for in-app search on each platform with platform-native keyword strategy
• Use TikTok and YouTube as Tier 1 search platforms, not just video distribution channels
• Test target queries across 8+ platforms quarterly to verify discoverability

Code Example — "Find Us Everywhere" hub:

<section class="find-us-everywhere">
  <h1>Find ThatDeveloperGuy on Every Platform</h1>
  <p>Search "ThatDeveloperGuy" or "14-Tier Framework" on any of these:</p>

  <div class="platform-grid">
    <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=ThatDeveloperGuy" rel="noopener">
      <h3>Google</h3>
      <p>Knowledge Panel + organic results</p>
    </a>
    <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=ThatDeveloperGuy" rel="noopener">
      <h3>TikTok</h3>
      <p>Short-form tutorials and tips</p>
    </a>
    <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ThatDeveloperGuy" rel="noopener">
      <h3>YouTube</h3>
      <p>Long-form tutorials and walkthroughs</p>
    </a>
    <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=ThatDeveloperGuy" rel="noopener">
      <h3>LinkedIn</h3>
      <p>Thought leadership and case studies</p>
    </a>
    <a href="https://chat.openai.com/?q=ThatDeveloperGuy" rel="noopener">
      <h3>ChatGPT</h3>
      <p>Ask anything about our framework</p>
    </a>
  </div>
</section>

• Validation: Brand discoverable in top 5 results on 8+ platforms, branded search volume growing across multiple platforms, Knowledge Panel triggers on Google

D. Influencer & Advocacy (2)

11. IAO — Influencer Authority Optimization

• Build influencer collaboration strategy targeting micro-influencers (10k–100k followers) in your niche
• Create dedicated /collaborations/ or /featured-collaborations/ hub showing partnered content
• Add Person schema for collaborating influencers and mentions schema for cross-references
• Embed influencer testimonials with proper attribution and link to their profiles
• Co-create content (interviews, joint webinars, collaborative research) for compounding reach
• Track influencer ROI — engagement quality and audience overlap matter more than raw follower count
• Use platforms like Modash, GRIN, or Aspire for influencer discovery and management
• Build long-term partnerships rather than one-off sponsored posts

Code Example — Collaboration hub with Person schema:

<section class="collaborations-hub">
  <h1>Featured Collaborations</h1>

  <article class="collaboration" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article">
    <h2 itemprop="headline">AI Search Roundtable with Lily Ray, Aleyda Solis, and Joseph Anady</h2>

    <div class="collaborators">
      <div itemprop="author" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person">
        <span itemprop="name">Lily Ray</span>
        <a itemprop="sameAs" href="https://x.com/lilyraynyc" rel="noopener">@lilyraynyc</a>
      </div>
      <div itemprop="author" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person">
        <span itemprop="name">Aleyda Solis</span>
        <a itemprop="sameAs" href="https://x.com/aleyda" rel="noopener">@aleyda</a>
      </div>
    </div>

    <p>Industry roundtable on the state of AI search citations in 2026...</p>
    <a href="/collaborations/ai-search-roundtable-2026/">Watch the full discussion →</a>
  </article>
</section>

• Validation: 3+ active influencer partnerships, collaboration hub page live, partnered content generates 5x reach of solo content

12. SLO — Social Listening Optimization

• Set up brand monitoring across all major social platforms via Brand24, Mention, Sprout Social, or Talkwalker
• Track brand mentions, hashtags, competitor activity, and industry conversations
• Set up alerts for high-priority keywords: brand name, founder name, key products, common misspellings
• Document sentiment analysis monthly — track favorable vs unfavorable mention ratio
• Identify unconverted brand fans — users who mention you positively but don't follow yet
• Monitor competitor social activity for content gaps, audience reactions, and positioning shifts
• Use social listening data to inform content calendar — gaps in conversation become content opportunities
• Respond to negative mentions within 4 hours during business hours

Code Example — Social listening dashboard structure (internal admin page):

<section class="social-listening-dashboard" data-noindex="true">
  <h1>Social Listening — Last 30 Days</h1>

  <div class="metrics-grid">
    <article class="metric-card">
      <h3>Brand Mentions</h3>
      <p class="metric-value">1,247</p>
      <p class="metric-change">+18% vs last month</p>
    </article>

    <article class="metric-card">
      <h3>Sentiment Score</h3>
      <p class="metric-value">+0.78</p>
      <p class="metric-change">Predominantly positive</p>
    </article>

    <article class="metric-card">
      <h3>Top Hashtags</h3>
      <ul>
        <li>#14TierFramework — 320 uses</li>
        <li>#AISearch — 280 uses</li>
        <li>#GEO — 195 uses</li>
      </ul>
    </article>

    <article class="metric-card">
      <h3>Action Items</h3>
      <ul>
        <li>Convert 47 unlinked mentions to backlinks</li>
        <li>Respond to 3 negative mentions (within SLA)</li>
        <li>Engage with 12 high-value brand fans</li>
      </ul>
    </article>
  </div>
</section>

• Validation: Social listening dashboard maintained, response SLA met 95%+, unlinked mention conversion rate above 25%

E. Conversion & Commerce (3)

13. SCM — Social Commerce Management

• Enable shoppable elements on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Facebook with proper product catalog sync
• Add "Buy on [Platform]" buttons on product pages linking to native checkout
• Use Product schema with offers, pricing, availability matching social catalog data exactly
• Build social commerce galleries on-site embedding shoppable Reels and TikToks
• Track per-platform commerce attribution — which platform drives most revenue per dollar of effort
• Use platform-native checkout where possible to reduce conversion friction
• Maintain product feeds via Meta Commerce Manager, TikTok Shop, Pinterest Catalogs
• Audit product information consistency across all social commerce channels weekly

Code Example — Shoppable post integration:

<section class="shoppable-product">
  <article itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Product">
    <img src="/products/14-tier-audit.jpg" alt="14-Tier Engine Optimization Audit" itemprop="image">

    <h2 itemprop="name">14-Tier Engine Optimization Audit</h2>
    <p itemprop="description">Comprehensive audit of all 112+ optimizations across your site.</p>

    <div itemprop="offers" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Offer">
      <span class="price">$<span itemprop="price">997</span></span>
      <meta itemprop="priceCurrency" content="USD">
      <link itemprop="availability" href="https://schema.org/InStock">
    </div>

    <div class="commerce-ctas">
      <a href="/checkout/audit/" class="btn-primary">Buy on Our Site</a>
      <a href="https://instagram.com/p/PRODUCT_ID/" rel="noopener" class="btn-instagram">View on Instagram</a>
      <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/shop/product/PRODUCT_ID" rel="noopener" class="btn-tiktok">View on TikTok Shop</a>
    </div>
  </article>
</section>

• Validation: Product catalog synced across 3+ social commerce channels, per-channel revenue attribution tracked, conversion rate above 1.5% on social commerce traffic

14. SAD — Social Ad Distribution

• Build dedicated landing pages per major social ad campaign with UTM tracking
• Match landing page visual style to ad creative for message-match continuity
• Add conversion-focused schema and clear above-the-fold CTAs
• Implement retargeting pixels: Meta Pixel, TikTok Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, X Pixel
• Use platform-native ad formats: Reels ads on Instagram, Spark Ads on TikTok, Document ads on LinkedIn
• A/B test ad creative continuously — winning ads decay within 2–3 weeks
• Track Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) per platform and reallocate budget monthly
• Build lookalike audiences from highest-LTV customer segments

Code Example — Conversion-optimized landing page:

<article class="ad-landing-page" data-campaign="ai-search-2026">
  <header class="hero">
    <h1>Get Cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity & Claude</h1>
    <p>Our 14-tier framework gets your business mentioned in AI answers. Get a free audit today.</p>

    <form action="/api/leads/audit-request" method="POST" class="lead-form">
      <input type="hidden" name="utm_source" value="meta">
      <input type="hidden" name="utm_campaign" value="ai-search-2026">

      <input type="email" name="email" placeholder="Your business email" required>
      <input type="url" name="website" placeholder="Your website URL" required>
      <button type="submit">Get Free Audit</button>
    </form>
  </header>

  <!-- Meta Pixel + TikTok Pixel + LinkedIn Insight Tag -->
  <script>
    fbq('track', 'Lead', {content_name: 'ai-search-audit'});
    ttq.track('SubmitForm', {content_id: 'ai-search-audit'});
    _linkedin_partner_id = "PARTNER_ID";
  </script>
</article>

• Validation: Per-platform CAC tracked, retargeting audiences active across all major platforms, conversion rate above 5% on ad landing pages

15. ECO — Engagement Conversion Optimization

• Add social proof counters showing real-time engagement ("1,200+ subscribers", "4.9/5 from 127 clients")
• Implement comment-to-lead workflow on blog content: comment automation routes engaged commenters to lead capture
• Use ManyChat, Chatfuel, or native platform DM automation for Instagram comment-to-DM flows
• Track social referral conversions with GA4 events and platform pixels
• Build "engagement triggers" on key content — quizzes, polls, calculators that capture leads
• Display recent engagement social proof on conversion pages ("Sarah just downloaded the framework")
• Use exit-intent triggers to convert unengaged visitors with last-chance offers
• Track full funnel: social impression → click → site engagement → lead → customer

Code Example — Real-time social proof + engagement triggers:

<section class="conversion-page">
  <div class="social-proof-bar">
    <p>📣 <strong>237</strong> businesses got their AI search audit this month</p>
  </div>

  <div class="recent-activity-feed">
    <p>Sarah from Austin downloaded the framework <em>2 minutes ago</em></p>
    <p>Mike from Denver booked an audit <em>14 minutes ago</em></p>
  </div>

  <button id="engagement-quiz" class="cta-quiz">
    Take the 60-Second AI Search Readiness Quiz
  </button>

  <script>
    document.getElementById('engagement-quiz').addEventListener('click', () => {
      gtag('event', 'engagement_quiz_started', {
        'campaign_source': document.referrer
      });
    });
  </script>
</section>

• Validation: Social-to-lead conversion rate tracked, full funnel attribution active in GA4, comment-to-DM automation generating 10+ leads per month

F. Direct Communication (1)

16. DMO — Direct Message Optimization

• Set up DM auto-responders on all platforms with personalized triggers (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X)
• Build DM funnel mapping: trigger phrase → auto-reply → qualifier questions → lead capture
• Use ManyChat or similar for Instagram DM funnels — comment "GUIDE" gets auto-DM with link
• Maintain "DM us for a quote" as primary CTA on social posts (engagement-friendly vs link-out)
• Track DM-to-lead-to-customer conversion rates per platform
• Train team on DM response time SLAs — first response within 1 hour during business hours
• Use saved replies and templates for common DM inquiries to maintain quality at scale
• Build DM-based newsletter alternative (Telegram channel, WhatsApp Business broadcast)

Code Example — DM funnel trigger CTA on website:

<section class="dm-cta">
  <h2>Get Your Free Framework Checklist</h2>
  <p>Comment "FRAMEWORK" on any of our recent posts, and we'll DM you the complete 28-item Tier 1 checklist instantly.</p>

  <div class="platform-ctas">
    <a href="https://instagram.com/thatdeveloperguy" rel="noopener" class="btn-ig">
      Comment on Instagram
    </a>
    <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thatdeveloperguy" rel="noopener" class="btn-tiktok">
      Comment on TikTok
    </a>
  </div>

  <p class="alternative">
    Or message us directly: <a href="https://m.me/thatdeveloperguy" rel="noopener">DM on Messenger</a> /
    <a href="https://wa.me/15055123662" rel="noopener">WhatsApp</a>
  </p>
</section>

• Validation: DM auto-responders active on 4+ platforms, average DM response time under 1 hour, 50+ DM-sourced leads per month

Summary

• Total items: 16
• Sub-clusters: 6 (Social Brand & Profile, Content & Engagement, Discovery & Search on Social, Influencer & Advocacy, Conversion & Commerce, Direct Communication)
• Format: Each item includes 7–8 implementation steps, a code example, and a validation criterion
• Net change from original: 8 platform-specific items consolidated into 3 unified items, 3 dropped (overlap with prior tiers), 5 added, 4 critical acronym conflicts resolved (CEO → CGO, CFO → SFO, SAO → SAD, SCO → SCM, plus SEO → SXP)
• Position in stack: Social amplification tier — depends on Tiers 1–6, turns owned content into multi-platform reach and feeds back into entity authority

About this series

This is one of 14 articles in ThatDevPro's Engine Optimization stack — a productized SEO + AEO + AIO + GEO service. Each tier is a self-contained framework with concrete checklists, validation steps, and code patterns.

Canonical source for this article: https://www.thatdevpro.com/insights/seo-tier-7-social-and-community/

The 14-tier series:

1. Tier 1 — Foundation
2. Tier 2 — Search Visibility
3. Tier 3 — AI Domination
4. Tier 4 — Entity and Authority
5. Tier 5 — Local Domination
6. Tier 6 — Content and Multimedia
7. Tier 7 — Social and Community
8. Tier 8 — Data, Analytics, Conversion
9. Tier 9 — Monitoring and Intelligence
10. Tier 10 — Workflow and Operations
11. Tier 11 — Marketplace and Retail
12. Tier 12 — International
13. Tier 14 — Advanced and Immersive

Tier 13 is retired.

Need this implemented on your site? ThatDevPro ships the full 14-tier stack as a productized service. SDVOSB-certified veteran-owned. Cassville, Missouri. See the Engine Optimization service.

Open-source tooling powering this series:

• aio-surfaces — Python toolkit (MIT) for generating llms.txt + aeo.json + entity.json + brand.json
• llms.txt generator — live Hugging Face Space