SEO hiring in 2025: From boom to bottleneck

The demand for SEO professionals surged in recent years, driven by digital expansion and AI integration. However, 2025 sees a slowdown in hiring, with companies focusing on experienced talent and strategic outcomes over rapid team expansion. The market is shifting from a hiring boom to a more selective, skill-driven approach.

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The SEO job market has taken a sharp turn in 2025. Once brimming with opportunity, it’s now tighter than ever. Nick LeRoy, SEO consultant and founder of SEOJobs.com, says what was once a candidate-driven market is now flooded with jobseekers—even experienced professionals are struggling to get interviews.

Just two years ago, SEOs with a couple of years’ experience were landing six-figure jobs. Today, hiring has slowed across the board. While economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts play a role, the biggest disruptor has been AI. Tools that automate content and technical audits have replaced much of the need for junior SEO roles, and companies are even cutting senior positions to reduce costs.

Ironically, SEO isn’t becoming less important—it’s just being handled differently. Nick points out that companies are still investing in visibility, just not through traditional SEO hiring. Digital PR, for instance, is gaining traction, as AI tools increasingly rely on citations and mentions to gauge authority.

One person, many hats

With leaner teams, companies are spreading SEO tasks across roles. It’s now common to see email marketers, paid media leads, or content writers taking on SEO as just one of many responsibilities. But that approach often dilutes focus—and results.

Meanwhile, freelance SEOs and consultants are faring better than their in-house peers. Companies looking to cut costs are turning to experienced freelancers for project-based help instead of agencies or full-time hires. This shift is especially beneficial for consultants who can demonstrate business value through their work.

Nick also observes a shift in titles. SEO roles are now blending with other digital functions—think “search experience,” “AI content strategist,” or “brand visibility manager.” Candidates are expected to understand not just keyword rankings, but also how content performs across multiple platforms, from YouTube to TikTok.

What SEO pros need to know 

For brands building SEO teams from scratch, Nick’s advice is to start with strategy, not tactics. Understanding your target audience, brand story, and product-market fit is essential. SEO alone can’t save a weak business model—but it can elevate a strong one.

For jobseekers, communication skills are more critical than ever. The ability to explain SEO’s impact on revenue, customer acquisition, and brand visibility can set you apart. As Nick says, “You’re not just competing with other SEOs—you’re competing with other business functions for budget and attention.”

And when it comes to compensation? Expect less. Companies are offering lower salaries and broader responsibilities. A role that paid US$ 100,000 in 2022 might now be offered at US$ 75,000—with additional duties in digital PR or analytics.

In short: the SEO world isn’t vanishing, but it is evolving. Success now depends on adaptability, cross-functional skills, and the ability to tie your work directly to business outcomes.