36 SEO Interview Questions You Must Ask a Prospective SEO Analyst

Need an SEO analyst to make sure your business’s online presence is up to par? With SEO being a crucial piece of a thriving business, you want to make sure you hire someone with the right talent and expertise.

• Full 36 questions
• FAQ: How can I ensure I’m hiring the best SEO analyst for my business’s online success?

So that you can find the right SEO analyst, we have compiled a list of SEO interview questions that we have successfully utilized at Bruce Clay Inc., an SEO agency renowned for hiring experts with at least 5 years of experience. These questions will help you assess candidates’ SEO knowledge, experience, and strategic thinking.

If you want an experienced SEO specialist to work with your business, we offer exceptional SEO consulting services. Request a quote to learn more about how we can revamp your SEO strategy.

Full 36 Questions

• How did you acquire your SEO knowledge and skills?
• Why did you choose a career in SEO?
• Tell me about your last SEO project?
• How do you stay updated on industry news and keep track of algorithm changes?
• What factors contribute to making a website search engine friendly?
• Walk us through the steps you follow to develop an effective SEO strategy.
• Which SEO tools do you regularly employ in your work?
• What metrics do you consider when measuring the success of an SEO campaign?
• Are you experienced in any programming languages relevant to SEO?
• Which content management systems have you worked with in the past?
• How do you adapt your strategies to meet the unique needs of different clients?
• How frequently do you communicate with clients during an SEO project?
• How do you stay organized while working on multiple SEO projects simultaneously?
• Share with us your most notable digital marketing success story.
• What is your approach to conducting keyword research?
• What are your views on proper link-building techniques?
• How do you conduct an audit to identify and handle toxic links?
• Have you encountered any link penalties, and if so, how did you address them?
• Explain the concept of E-A-T and how you would strengthen it for a brand.
• Define the concept of local SEO and its significance.
• Differentiate between on-page SEO and off-page SEO.
• What are some common SEO mistakes that you have encountered?
• How do SEO, SEM, and social media marketing intersect and complement each other?
• What is involved in a competitive analysis for SEO purposes?
• Describe a keyword gap analysis and its relevance to SEO.
• What is a canonical issue, and how does it affect SEO?
• What should a technical SEO audit encompass?
• Which schema markups are essential for optimizing a website?
• Explain the key components of Google’s Core Web Vitals.
• Why is website accessibility crucial for SEO?
• Can you elaborate on the concept of content siloing and its importance?
• What are the primary considerations when assisting a website in performing a site migration?
• Walk us through your process for improving a local business’s visibility in search results.
• What method do you employ to redirect a page effectively?
• Share an example of how you have used structured data to earn featured snippets.

While the above SEO interview questions focus on assessing technical skills and experience, evaluating candidates’ soft skills is equally crucial. When hiring, look for effective communication, relationship-building, time management, prioritization, and work ethic.

Ready to optimize your business’s online presence? Partner with us, an acclaimed SEO agency with a track record of hiring top-tier experts. Contact us today to revamp your SEO strategy.

FAQ: How can I ensure I’m hiring the best SEO analyst for my business’s online success?

The role of an SEO analyst has become pivotal for success. Your business’s digital presence depends on the expertise of the individual you entrust with your SEO strategy. Here are essential insights to guide you in hiring the best SEO analyst for your business.

1. Understanding Your Business Goals:

Clearly define your business objectives. Different SEO analysts specialize in various niches, and aligning their expertise with your goals is crucial. A clear understanding of your business needs sets the foundation, whether it’s increasing organic traffic, improving conversion rates, or expanding your online reach.

2. Technical Proficiency:

A top-notch SEO analyst possesses a strong technical skill set. From website audits to keyword research, ensure your potential hire is well-versed in the latest SEO tools and practices. This includes a comprehensive understanding of Google Analytics, SEO auditing tools, and familiarity with emerging trends in the industry.

3. Proven Track Record:

Ask for a portfolio showcasing past successes. A seasoned SEO analyst should be able to provide case studies or examples of previous projects detailing how they tackled challenges and achieved positive results. Look for quantifiable achievements, such as increased organic traffic, higher search engine rankings, or improved click-through rates.

4. Adaptability and Continuous Learning:

SEO is dynamic, and algorithms constantly change. A great SEO analyst is adaptable and committed to continuous learning. Inquire about their approach to staying updated with industry changes and their strategies for implementing the latest SEO best practices.

5. Communication Skills:

Effective communication is often overlooked but crucial. Your SEO analyst must be able to communicate complex ideas clearly so you and your team can understand. Communication is the cornerstone of collaboration; it ensures everyone understands goals and strategies.

Hiring the best SEO analyst involves a strategic and thorough process. By aligning their expertise with your business goals, evaluating technical proficiency, checking their track record, emphasizing adaptability, and assessing communication skills, you can make an informed decision that propels your online success.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring a Prospective SEO Analyst

1. Clearly define your business goals and objectives.
2. Identify specific SEO needs aligned with your business strategy.
3. Seek candidates with technical proficiency in SEO tools and practices.
4. Request a portfolio showcasing past successes and achievements.
5. Assess the candidate’s adaptability and commitment to continuous learning.
6. Evaluate communication skills to ensure effective collaboration.
7. Interview candidates to discuss their approach to SEO challenges.
8. Inquire about their experience with Google Analytics and other relevant tools.
9. Check for familiarity with emerging trends in the SEO industry.
10. Discuss strategies for improving organic traffic and search engine rankings.
11. Consider candidates who demonstrate a holistic understanding of SEO.
12. Ask for references from previous clients or employers.
13. Analyze case studies or examples of successful projects.
14. Ensure the candidate understands your target audience and market.
15. Verify their ability to analyze and interpret data for informed decision-making.
16. Assess their problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to algorithm changes.
17. Discuss the importance of ethical SEO practices and whitehat techniques.
18. Collaborate with your team to gather input on the potential hire.
19. Negotiate terms and conditions, including timelines and deliverables.
20. Make an informed decision based on a comprehensive evaluation of candidates.

This article was updated on December 8, 2023. 

Bruce Clay is founder and president of Bruce Clay Inc., a global digital marketing firm providing search engine optimization, pay-per-click, social media marketing, SEO-friendly web architecture, and SEO tools and education. Connect with him on LinkedIn or through the BruceClay.com website.

See Bruce's author page for links to connect on social media.