What does an SEO specialist do?

Written by Lawrence Hitches

9 min read
Posted 11 February 2023

Are you curious to know what an SEO specialist does daily? Search engine optimization (SEO) is becoming increasingly crucial for businesses looking to stay competitive. But, understanding the role of an SEO specialist can be complicated and overwhelming. This comprehensive guide will explore exactly what an SEO specialist does to help websites succeed in search engine optimization. We look at their duties, responsibilities, and how they impact your business or website’s visibility online. So if you want to learn more about the world of SEO specialists, read on!

In This Article

What is an SEO Specialist, and What Does an SEO Specialist Do?

An SEO specialist is an individual who holds the knowledge and expertise necessary for optimizing websites for successful exposure in today’s top search engines. Their mission is to discover new and creative ways to drive more visitors to the website and ensure its placement in the highest rankings of search engine results.

Through diligent attention to keywords and other key elements off page optimization, these specialists help businesses connect with potential customers by improving their visibility within the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) of search engine marketing, they use innovative methods and strategies to direct potential customers towards the business, thus opening up fresh opportunities for growth and increased revenue.

It’s all about providing an effective strategy that will increase traffic flow while maintaining a high-ranking position on search engines.

What Are The Responsibilities Of An SEO Specialist?

The role of an search engine optimization specialist is dynamic and constantly evolving, but here are some of the core responsibilities they typically have:

  • Conducting keyword research to identify keywords that potential customers are searching for
  • Analyzing the website’s existing content and structure to identify areas for improvement
  • Optimizing website content and meta tags, including titles and descriptions, to ensure they are keyword-rich and relevant
  • Creating and implementing a link-building strategy to improve the website’s backlink profile and increase its authority
  • Monitoring search engine rankings and analyzing the performance of ongoing SEO efforts
  • Staying up-to-date with the latest search engine algorithm updates and changes

What Skills Does An SEO Specialist Need?

To be become a successful SEO Specialist, you need a combination of technical skills and creative skills. Here are some of the most critical skills you need for SEO:

  • Strong knowledge of search engine algorithms and ranking factors for SEO strategy.
  • Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and other web technologies for technical SEO
  • Ability to conduct keyword research and analyze competitors’ websites
  • Familiarity with analytics tools, such as Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Search Console, Google Tag Manager for web analytics data.
  • A toolkit of SEO tools such as Semrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, SEO Surfer just to name a few SEO tools
  • Ability to create and execute effective link-building strategies using the skyscraper, moving man, and guest posting methods.
  • Excellent writing skills to know to create high-quality, keyword-rich content that Google will rank
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team to execute a broader marketing strategy is key to become an SEO specialist

Soft Skills For An SEO Specialist

Many good SEO Specialist also must possess several essential soft skills outside of the search engine optimization field.

Communication Skills

An SEO Specialist must be able to communicate technical information to non-technical clients clearly and concisely. Their SEO field expertise comes through being able to collaborate effectively with other members of marketing team and their web development team.

Adaptability

The world of SEO is constantly evolving, and an search engine optimization specialist must be able to quickly adapt to changes in organic search results, engine algorithms digital marketing agencies and industry trends. An experienced SEO Specialist tackles constant changes in the digital marketing field, and refines SEO practices and uses new SEO tools.

Patience & Consistency

SEO is the marathon, not the sprint. SEO efforts require patience to see results and the consistency of actions to slowly chip away at the menial search engine optimization tasks that are the long-term search results strategy’s building blocks.

What Does An SEO Specialist Do Daily?

The day-to-day tasks of an SEO specialist can vary depending on the size and nature of a few keywords the company they work for and the stage of a website’s optimization journey.

Waking Up And Checking The Latest Trends

SEO experts must be on the pulse of industry updates to ensure clients’ websites remain at the top of search engine results. It’s essential that every day begins with a review of new news, improvements, and trends in search engine optimization from sources like Search Engine Land or SEO Roundtable – this allows search engine marketing specialists to spot any recent adjustments in algorithms utilized by major search engines, and adjust strategies accordingly.

Keyword Research And Competitor Analysis

Once they are up-to-date with the latest trends paid search,, SEO specialists move on to keyword research and competitor analysis. This process involves identifying keywords that potential customers are likely to use when searching for a particular product or service. They also analyze their clients’ competitors to see what keywords they target and how they rank for relevant keywords on search engines.

On-Page Optimization

On-page optimization involves making webpage content and structural changes to a website speed make it more appealing to search engines. search engine optimization specialists work with their clients to ensure that the content on their websites is relevant, high-quality, and keyword-rich. They also optimize the website’s structure, including the title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags, internal links, to ensure that search engines can easily crawl and index the website.

Link Building

Link building is an essential aspect of search engine optimization. SEO specialists work to establish links from other websites to their client’s websites, which helps to increase their visibility on search engines. They use a variety of tactics, such as guest blogging, skyscraper, moving man, or social media content marketing,, to build links and drive more traffic to the business or web developers they are working with.

Measuring And Analyzing Results

SEO is a continuous process, and most SEO specialists regularly measure and analyze the results of their website content off page optimization efforts. They use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track their client’s website traffic and determine which strategies are working and which need improvement. Based on these results, they adjust their system to ensure that their client’s websites rank high on search engines.

Wrapping Up The Day

SEO specialists summarize their work and plan for the next day. They also communicate with marketing team and their clients to update them on the progress of their projects and discuss any concerns they may have.

Final Word

day in the life of an SEO specialist is filled with exciting and challenging tasks. From staying updated on the latest trends to measuring and analyzing search results, they play a critical role in helping businesses succeed online. If you’re interested in a , now is the time to start!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Difference Between An SEO Specialist And A Digital Marketer?

SEO specialists focuses on optimizing websites for search engines, while a digital marketer may have a broader range of responsibilities, including paid advertising, email marketing, social media marketing, and more. 

What Is The Average Salary Of An SEO Specialist?

The average salary of an SEO specialist varies based on several factors, including experience, location, and the size of the company they are working on. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an SEO specialist in the United States is approximately $50,000 per year, but this can range from $30,000 to $80,000 or more, depending on the individual’s experience and the company they work for.

How Good Is A Career In SEO For The Future?

A career in SEO could be an excellent choice for the future. It’s an ever-evolving field that requires ongoing knowledge and skill to stay ahead of the game. Plus, with more businesses relying on digital marketing and SEO best practices, there is plenty of job security and potential for growth within the industry. As you hone your skills in search engine optimization, you can look forward to staying up-to-date with new trends while also building a fulfilling career path.

How Hard Is It To Learn SEO?

Grasping the fundamentals of SEO can be challenging, but with dedication and a willingness to learn, it’s certainly achievable. The key is understanding how search engine algorithms work and using that knowledge to create content strategies and landing pages that drive organic search and traffic. It may take some time to get your head around all the technical aspects of SEO, but once you do, there will be plenty of rewards!

Is SEO A Stressful Job?

SEO for digital marketing professionals can be demanding, requiring time and commitment to research the latest trends online marketing, and techniques. It’s essential to stay up-to-date with changes in search algorithms and social media accounts and contact clients who may have urgent requests or queries. For those passionate about digital marketing, it can be a gratifying job.

Can An SEO Specialist Guarantee First-Page Rankings?

No SEO expert can promise a spot on page one, for that is in the hands of search engines. While they may use methods to optimize a website’s presence in SERPs, the algorithms employed by search engines determine which sites rank for a given keyword. An array of elements factor into this decision such as content relevance and quality, backlink profile target audience, and user experience. Although an SEO pro can utilize tried-and-true techniques and stay abreast of trends to help boost rankings for relevant keywords, they have no direct control over the search engine’s calculations.

Written by Lawrence Hitches

Posted 11 February 2023

Lawrence an SEO professional and the General Manager of Australia’s Largest SEO Agency – StudioHawk; he’s been working in search for eight years, having started working with Bing Search to improve their algorithm. Then, jumping over to working on small, medium, and enterprise businesses with SEO tactics to reach more customers on search engines such as Google, he’s won the Young Search Professional of the Year from the Semrush Awards and Best Large SEO Agency at the Global Search Awards.

He’s now focused on educating those who want to learn about SEO with the techniques and tips he’s learned from experience and continuing to learn new tactics as search evolves.