Voices of Search Podcast Summary Episode: SEO Jobs Week - What are the Trending Roles & Titles
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Host: Tyson Stockton
Guest: Nick Leroy (Seojobs.com)

Introduction

In this episode of Voices of Search, host Tyson Stockton from Previsible.IO welcomes Nick Leroy from Seojobs.com to discuss the latest trends in SEO job roles and titles based on their recent 2025 SEO job study. The conversation aims to provide valuable insights for both SEO professionals navigating their careers and hiring managers seeking to understand the evolving landscape of SEO roles.

The Importance of Accurate SEO Job Titles

Nick Leroy opens the discussion by emphasizing the critical role that job titles play within the SEO industry. He highlights that titles often convey the level and specialization of a position, which is crucial for both applicants and employers to align expectations accurately.

“SEO is still not dead yet.”
— Nick Leroy [01:32]

Tyson Stockton agrees, noting the recurring debates about the relevance of SEO and the necessity for precise language in job titles to foster a shared understanding.

“Being precise in language has so much implication as far as the shared understanding of this.”
— Tyson Stockton [03:27]

Common SEO Job Titles and Their Significance

The conversation delves into the variety of SEO job titles observed in the market. Both agree that while the core functions of SEO roles remain consistent, creative titles abound, sometimes causing confusion.

Tyson Stockton identifies the most prevalent job titles:

1. SEO Analyst – Entry-level role focused on foundational SEO tasks.
2. SEO Manager – Mid-level position encompassing a broad range of SEO responsibilities.
3. Technical SEO Specialist – Focused on the technical aspects of SEO.
4. Content SEO Specialist – Concentrates on content strategy and optimization.
5. Director of SEO and VP of SEO – Senior roles involving strategic oversight and leadership.

“SEO manager is the most frequent title, representing the mid-level standard SEO function.”
— Tyson Stockton [05:14]

Nick Leroy adds that experience does not always correlate with expertise, stressing the need for clearly defined roles to ensure appropriate compensation and responsibilities.

“Years of experience does not always equate to actual knowledge and success.”
— Nick Leroy [05:14]

Career Progression in SEO

The discussion shifts to career trajectories within SEO, highlighting a common progression path:

1. Generalist Roles – Early career positions handling various aspects of SEO.
2. Managerial Roles – Mid-career positions often serving as a midpoint between execution and leadership.
3. Specialization – Advanced roles focusing on specific areas like technical or content SEO.
4. Senior Leadership – High-level positions that require both SEO expertise and strong soft skills.

Nick Leroy compares the SEO career path to a "halfway point," where managerial roles mark a transition from pure execution to leadership.

“The SEO manager role is like the halfway point of your career.”
— Nick Leroy [07:20]

Tyson Stockton echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the necessity of soft skills for advancing to higher roles.

“Gotta get those soft skills if you want to be higher up on the ladder a hundred percent.”
— Tyson Stockton [07:20]

Specializations: Technical SEO vs. Content SEO

Nick Leroy points out a significant trend: while the industry previously balanced technical and content SEO roles, there's now a stronger tilt toward content SEO. This shift has created ample opportunities for technical SEOs, who remain in a smaller pool.

“Technical SEOs really have some of the best opportunity just because they are a part of the smaller pool.”
— Nick Leroy [12:28]

Tyson Stockton adds that the demand for technical SEO is rising, with compensation levels increasing accordingly, making it an attractive specialization for those early in their careers.

“Technical has not softened in the same way that content has. Content SEO jobs though are still way more and you're seeing that as a skill set within other jobs.”
— Tyson Stockton [13:29]

The Role of Soft Skills in SEO Leadership

As SEO professionals progress into managerial and leadership roles, soft skills become increasingly vital. Nick Leroy underscores that effective communication and the ability to advocate for SEO within an organization are paramount for senior positions.

“I can teach anybody how to do SEO, but I can't teach people to effectively communicate.”
— Nick Leroy [07:46]

He further notes that high-level SEO roles require the capacity to translate technical jargon into business value, making soft skills indispensable.

“You have to humanize, you know, SEO dork is kind of what I've been saying.”
— Nick Leroy [09:22]

Digital PR and Link Building in 2025

Nick Leroy introduces the topic of digital PR and link building, areas he feels are underrepresented in their studies but are gaining importance.

“Digital PR, I think, is more significant lever than it was maybe a couple years ago.”
— Nick Leroy [19:15]

Tyson Stockton concurs, suggesting that traditional practices like backlinking are experiencing a resurgence, especially with the rise of large language models (LLMs) and advanced search algorithms.

“The pendulum's coming back and more traditional practices are regaining importance.”
— Tyson Stockton [19:15]

They agree that digital PR and link building are becoming crucial strategies for enhancing online presence and SEO effectiveness.

Evolution of SEO's Role in Marketing and Business

The hosts discuss the evolving role of SEO from being a standalone practice to becoming an integral part of broader marketing and business strategies. Nick Leroy reflects on his growth, noting that understanding the business implications of SEO recommendations significantly enhances an SEO professional's value.

“The more you can understand the business implication of your recommendations, you'll 10x your SEO value almost overnight.”
— Nick Leroy [22:00]

Tyson Stockton emphasizes that senior SEO roles must guide organizational philosophy and mindset, integrating SEO deeply into business objectives.

“These conversations are the expectation in those levels because you need to guide the kind of philosophy, the mindset within the organization.”
— Tyson Stockton [21:18]

Key Takeaways

• Accurate Job Titles: Essential for aligning expectations between employers and SEO professionals.
• Career Path: SEO careers typically progress from generalist roles to specialized and then to leadership positions, with soft skills becoming increasingly important.
• Specialization Opportunities: Technical SEO is a promising area due to its relatively smaller pool of experts and rising demand.
• Digital PR's Growing Role: Link building and digital PR are resurging as vital components of effective SEO strategies.
• Integrated SEO Strategy: Modern SEO requires a deep understanding of business objectives and the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels.

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future trends of SEO job roles. Tyson Stockton and Nick Leroy offer actionable insights for SEO professionals aiming to advance their careers and for hiring managers seeking to understand the nuances of SEO roles. The discussion highlights the importance of specialization, the rising demand for technical SEO skills, and the critical role of soft skills in leadership positions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “SEO is still not dead yet.”
  — Nick Leroy [01:32]

• “Being precise in language has so much implication as far as the shared understanding of this.”
  — Tyson Stockton [03:27]

• “SEO manager is the most frequent title, representing the mid-level standard SEO function.”
  — Tyson Stockton [05:14]

• “Years of experience does not always equate to actual knowledge and success.”
  — Nick Leroy [05:14]

• “Gotta get those soft skills if you want to be higher up on the ladder a hundred percent.”
  — Tyson Stockton [07:20]

• “Technical SEOs really have some of the best opportunity just because they are a part of the smaller pool.”
  — Nick Leroy [12:28]

• “I can teach anybody how to do SEO, but I can't teach people to effectively communicate.”
  — Nick Leroy [07:46]

• “The pendulum's coming back and more traditional practices are regaining importance.”
  — Tyson Stockton [19:15]

• “The more you can understand the business implication of your recommendations, you'll 10x your SEO value almost overnight.”
  — Nick Leroy [22:00]

Stay Tuned:
Join us in the next episode where Tyson and Nick will explore location elements in SEO jobs, including remote, hybrid, and on-site opportunities.

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