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Search Engine Strategist
What is a Search Engine Strategist?
A search engine strategist oversees the optimization of websites and digital content for search engines. The strategist may also perform some tasks of a digital marketer, such as keyword research, content planning, and performance analysis. They may optimize on-page elements, build backlinks, and improve site structure as well as guide their team. Whether focusing on organic or paid search, they make data-driven decisions regarding the strategies they implement to improve search visibility and drive traffic.
What is a Search Engine Strategist?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is critical for today’s businesses to get highly coveted rankings on sites like Google. Developing solid SEO is a complex job. Search engine strategists are responsible for keeping with up changing search engine algorithms, evaluating customers’ search habits, and developing marketing strategies that will help web sites rank well among their competitors.
These strategists evaluate both the technical aspects of the web site design and the key marketing factors that drive each campaign. They pull together social media marketing, content marketing, and online advertising to create successful sites. They may also work with the site’s code, updating meta descriptions, implementing structured data, and otherwise editing the source code for better rankings and results.
With the goal of appearing at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs), search engine strategists are constantly tweaking their approaches to site optimization, to stay ahead of the latest trends.
Job Responsibilities:
- Evaluating SERPs
- Targeting high performing keywords in line with the client’s business objectives
- Optimizing page content
- Researching current and developing SEO trends
- Keeping up with Google algorithms and updates
- Organizing landing pages
- Managing marketing campaigns
- Evaluating ROI on SEO tactics
- Collaborating with marketing teams
- Working with editorial professionals
- Developing social media marketing strategies
- Setting timelines for site updates
- Creating link building campaigns
- Identifying white hat marketing strategies
- Continually updating marketing and optimization strategies
What is the Career Outlook for a Search Engine Strategist?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t maintain records on search engine strategists alone. However, it does track employment trends for market research analysts, who have similar responsibilities.
Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 94,600 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment growth will be driven by an increasing use of data and market research across many industries. These workers will be needed to help understand the needs and wants of customers, measure the effectiveness of marketing and business strategies, and identify the factors affecting product demand.
The increase in the collection and analyses of big data—extremely large sets of information, such as social media comments or online product reviews—can provide insight on consumer behaviors and preferences. Businesses will need market research analysts to conduct analyses of the data and information.
Where Do Search Engine Strategists Work?
Search engine strategists typically work in an office environment, spending most of their time on the computer performing research, updating web page code, and curating content that will boost the page’s SEO. These professionals may also spend a good part of the day in meetings with others on the marketing and advertising teams. They are likely to work with writers, editors, and social media specialists as well.
Search engine strategists are important to businesses in nearly every industry. A powerful online presence is now essential for everything from physicians’ offices to apparel retailers. Strategists who don’t work in-house for the company in question may work with marketing agencies who supply SEO services to multiple clients. Working with an agency can offer the opportunity to diversify one’s work, though an in-house position will allow for more focused specialization within an industry.
What Education Do I Need to Become a Search Engine Strategist?
Search engine strategists need a thorough understanding of SEO, social media marketing, and landing page development. An AAS Digital Marketing degree can provide you with a great deal of the information required for this career.
The AAS Digital Marketing degree from Bryant & Stratton College includes 39 major credit requirements. Courses cover business principles, web analytics, conversion rate optimization, pay per click and display advertising, and social media marketing. Search engine marketing and optimization are a key part of the degree program, offering critical information for strategists who want to specialize in this area.
Keep in mind that SEO is an ever-changing field. You’ll increase your employability by staying current on the latest trends in this area. Follow the latest updates to Google and other search engines, and make sure you’re on top of the latest developments.
What Can I Do with an AAS Digital Marketing?
An AAS in Digital Marketing can prepare you for a variety of careers in marketing and advertising. Search engine strategists go by many titles. As you’re conducting your job search, consider looking out for some of these careers, which can give you the opportunity to make use of your digital marketing background.
- Advertising sales agent
- SEO strategist
- Search marketing strategist
- Marketing coordinator
- Content strategist
- Marketing technologist
- SEO specialist
For more insights into the Associate Degree in Digital Marketing and other similar courses of study, check out the business degree section of our blog. You’ll find a wealth of information to help guide you in your future educational pursuits.
While these projections can help career-minded people evaluate potential employment fields, it is important to note that job market data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook is only intended to provide insight on occupational opportunities. It should not be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Neither BLS nor Bryant & Stratton College can guarantee employment in any field.
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