What does a search engine optimizer do?

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

A search engine optimizer is in charge of developing strategies to enhance a website's content and search ranking, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. Among their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing web traffic data, researching trends, developing content materials, utilizing relevant keywords, and producing progress reports as needed. There are also instances where they must work together with content specialists and even graphic designers. Furthermore, as a search engine optimizer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with other staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

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Search engine optimizer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real search engine optimizer resumes:

Manage paid advertising using AdWords, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Create, manage, and analyze YouTube advertising campaigns and brand channels.
Manage a team in order to meet pre-agreed UMTS Pre launch radio network KPIs.
Manage SEO and SEM campaigns, tracking, and split testing strategically and using proprietary tools.
Utilize Godaddy software and systems and any require portal tools to achieve campaign goals, objectives and KPI's.
Code in HTML, Javascript and CSS.
Draft PowerPoint presentations for sales team.
Create automated PHP scripts to enhance SEO.
Design, develop and maintain Wordpress base blogs.
Attach social networking sites to client websites (Facebook, YouTube )
Participate in the development of SEM campaigns for SMB with limit budget.
Interact with zoning, site acquisition, and construction groups for all RF relate issues.
Create one video-heavy Wordpress site for a client that utilize only Youtube to create brand recognition previously.
Work with the RF testing and implementation team of vendor to implement and optimize the sites correctly.
Create email mockups with copy (tag lines) and edit email HTML templates and landing pages.

Search engine optimizer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Search Engine Optimizers are proficient in Search Engine Optimization, CSS, and HTML. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Search Engine Optimizers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Search Engine Optimization, 16%
Search engine optimizer for search engine optimization company, assisting with SEO projects for a client base of over 30 clients.
CSS, 13%
Design and Develop Wordpress websites using themes, HTML, custom CSS, Short Codes, plugin's, etc.
HTML, 12%
Have added numerous HTML updates to my Yahoo store to enhance my marketing efforts.
Web Development, 11%
Job Description Work with a team of 7 people for a web development firm in Orange County, CA.
Digital Marketing, 7%
Launched & created small digital marketing firm that served small business local services firms.
Website Content, 4%
Designed and maintained website content for local businesses.

Most search engine optimizers use their skills in "search engine optimization," "css," and "html" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential search engine optimizer responsibilities here:

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a search engine optimizer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what search engine optimizers do because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to generate new and imaginative ideas." Additionally, a search engine optimizer resume shows how search engine optimizers use creativity: "inventoried current methods, practices and technologies used to assist in developing seo, ppc, and facebook ad implementation. "

Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling search engine optimizer duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to analyze industry trends to determine the most promising strategies for their organization." According to a search engine optimizer resume, here's how search engine optimizers can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "processed ul trace viewer and dl drive data and created plots for rxlev and rxqual. "

Communication skills. This is an important skill for search engine optimizers to perform their duties. For an example of how search engine optimizer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "managers must be able to communicate effectively with a broad-based team made up of other managers or staff members during the advertising, promotions, and marketing process." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a search engine optimizer: "worked with peers to actively market dreammaker on facebook and optimize search results on google developed strong team and communication skills".

All search engine optimizer skills

The three companies that hire the most search engine optimizers are:

Amazon16 search engine optimizers jobs
Snagajob
7 search engine optimizers jobs
eBay5 search engine optimizers jobs

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Compare different search engine optimizers

Search engine optimizer vs. Pay-per-click strategist

We looked at the average search engine optimizer salary and compared it with the wages of a pay-per-click strategist. Generally speaking, pay-per click strategists are paid $43,586 lower than search engine optimizers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both search engine optimizer and pay-per-click strategist positions are skilled in search engine optimization, html, and sem.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between search engine optimizers and pay-per-click strategist. For instance, search engine optimizer responsibilities require skills such as "css," "adaptive," "javascript," and "web development." Whereas a pay-per-click strategist is skilled in "website development," "paid search," "bid strategies," and "linkedin." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Pay-per click strategists tend to reach lower levels of education than search engine optimizers. In fact, pay-per click strategists are 11.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Search engine optimizer vs. Experience planning strategist

Experience planning strategist positions earn lower pay than search engine optimizer roles. They earn a $20,337 lower salary than search engine optimizers per year.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that search engine optimizer responsibilities requires skills like "search engine optimization," "css," "adaptive," and "javascript." But an experience planning strategist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "medicare," "target audience," "account management," and "vendor relationships."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Experience planning strategists tend to reach similar levels of education than search engine optimizers. In fact, they're 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Search engine optimizer vs. Online user experience strategist

An average online user experience strategist eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of search engine optimizers. The difference in salaries amounts to online user experience strategists earning a $7,658 higher average salary than search engine optimizers.By looking over several search engine optimizers and online user experience strategists resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "javascript," "a/b," and "cms." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, search engine optimizers are more likely to have skills like "search engine optimization," "css," "adaptive," and "html." But a online user experience strategist is more likely to have skills like "user experience," "user research," "design solutions," and "content strategy."

When it comes to education, online user experience strategists tend to earn higher degree levels compared to search engine optimizers. In fact, they're 6.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Search engine optimizer vs. Electronic commerce specialist

Electronic commerce specialists typically earn lower pay than search engine optimizers. On average, electronic commerce specialists earn a $35,282 lower salary per year.While both search engine optimizers and electronic commerce specialists complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like html, web site, and xml, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A search engine optimizer uses "search engine optimization," "css," "adaptive," and "javascript." Electronic commerce specialists are more likely to have duties that require skills in "technical assistance," "erp," "edi," and "technical support. "In general, electronic commerce specialists hold lower degree levels compared to search engine optimizers. Electronic commerce specialists are 7.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of search engine optimizer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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