SEO Job Postings Decline by 37% Compared to Last Year

Job opportunities in the field of SEO decreased by 37% in the first quarter of 2024 when compared to the previous year.

SEOJobs.com, a job board specializing in SEO positions, analyzed information from more than 80,000 job listings provided by 4,700 different employers between 2023 and early 2024.

The report cites the increasing use of AI in search as a critical factor impacting SEO hiring.

Mid-Level Roles Hardest Hit

In the first quarter of 2024, senior SEO positions had a 3% increase from the previous year, while entry-level roles saw a 1% rise. However, mid-level SEO jobs decreased by 6% compared to Q1 2023.

According to Nick LeRoy, the owner of SEOJobs.com, this difference in growth can be attributed to AI automation taking over routine tasks. This indicates a growing need for professionals who can handle more advanced work.

He states:

“Tasks historically mapped to an entry-level position are now being done faster and cheaper with AI technology…

Entry-level SEOs are now required to have a basic understanding of search and also possess the necessary soft skills to compete with mid-level peers who have over 3 years of experience.

Companies aim to maximize efficiency by hiring affordable junior resources and investing in proven expertise and results from senior SEOs.

On a more positive note, LeRoy finds that remote SEO opportunities grew in Q1 2024 after dipping late last year.

Lack Of Salary Transparency

The SEO job report emphasized the importance of transparency in salaries within the industry. Currently, only 18% of job listings include pay information. However, this percentage may increase as more states start to legally mandate wage disclosure.

Economic Pressures

Alongside AI disruption, broader economic conditions appear to weigh on SEO employment.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) mentioned that the decrease in job listings is happening at the same time as a decrease in job growth in the U.S. labor market.

The BLS also stated that there was minimal change in employment numbers in key industries, such as professional and business services, where SEO positions are commonly found.

6 Strategies for SEO Professionals to Stay Ahead

As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in search engines, the SEO professionals who will thrive are those who can blend technical expertise with strategic planning, analytical abilities, and a continuous dedication to learning and career advancement.

Here are some potential strategies to differentiate yourself in today’s job market:

1. Develop AI Expertise

Understanding and leveraging AI technologies will be crucial as AI continues to play a significant role in search. Professionals who utilize AI tools such as natural language processing, content generation, and semantic analysis will have a competitive advantage.

2. Focus On Strategic SEO

As AI automates many technical and execution-based SEO tasks, employers will likely prioritize hiring SEOs with strategic abilities.

Professionals adept at competitive analysis, audience research, content strategy development, and conversion optimization may be in higher demand.

3. Build Analytics Prowess

With the influence of AI on search rankings and user behavior, being able to uncover valuable insights from data will be increasingly important.

Setting yourself apart from other candidates can be achieved by having skills in analytics platforms, statistical analysis, data visualization, and effectively communicating data-driven recommendations.

4. Specialization

Some SEO professionals prefer to specialize in specific areas such as local search, e-commerce, enterprise-level SEO, or a particular industry vertical. This specialized approach can make them more attractive to potential employers compared to those who take a more generalist approach.

5. Emphasize Soft Skills

As technical duties become automated, soft skills like communication, problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability may carry more weight in the hiring process.

SEO professionals who can collaborate across teams and articulate strategies can separate themselves.

Related: LinkedIn Report: AI Skills Now Must-Have For Marketers

6. Building Your Personal Brand

Building a strong personal brand involves activities such as blogging, public speaking, sharing valuable content, and interacting on social media. By doing so, you can increase your visibility and potentially open up new job opportunities.

Related: Will AI Replace SEO Specialists?

Parting Thoughts

The role of the SEO professional is evolving, not vanishing, despite current challenges. If professionals can adjust their value proposition and meet new requirements, they can discover promising career paths.

Featured Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the significant impact of AI on the SEO job market, leading to a decline in mid-level roles as routine tasks become automated. To stay relevant, SEO professionals must embrace AI expertise, focus on strategic planning, and develop strong analytics skills. Specialization and soft skills also gain importance as AI reshapes the industry.

Despite the challenges, the article emphasizes that the role of SEO professionals is evolving rather than disappearing. By adapting to the changing landscape and embracing new capabilities, SEO professionals can create promising career paths. The key lies in bridging technical expertise with strategic thinking, leveraging data-driven insights, and honing soft skills to complement the advancements brought by AI.