Content marketing is essential in digital marketing because it helps businesses build trust, engage their audience, and provide valuable information that drives traffic and leads. High-quality content, such as blogs, videos, and infographics, improves SEO by attracting organic traffic and improving search engine rankings. It also positions the brand as an authority in the industry, which can lead to higher conversion rates. By delivering relevant and helpful content, businesses can nurture relationships with their audience, leading to long-term customer loyalty.