Search Enginge Strategist

If you hop over to a search engine like Google when you want to quickly locate a piece of information, you’re not alone. Internet users often default to these search engines, making top ranks on the results pages a highly coveted prize among businesses seeking new customers. There’s a complex algorithm behind the results that you see on search results pages. Search engine strategists are hard at work manipulating their sites’ content and codes to get on these critical pages. If you’re interested in marketing and digital technology, you may find that you’re perfectly suited to this career.

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

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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 for these professionals is expected to increase 23 percent over the 2016 to 2026 decade. This is far higher than the national average of seven percent growth anticipated for all occupations in the United States.

Much of the growth in this job area is anticipated in response to the advent of big data. As more digital information is available on consumers, there’s an increasing need for professionals who can properly analyze the information and turn it into actionable marketing plans. Search engine analytics are a critical part of this in today’s digital environment. Marketing professionals with a thorough understanding of digital marketing and SEO will be well-poised for a variety of marketing positions.

Search engine strategists focus on strategic marketing within the digital space, which is quickly becoming of the most important areas for companies to connect with their clients. Many businesses even operate solely in the online space, making search engine rankings critical to landing new customers.

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.