Career Definition of an SEO Link Building Specialist
SEO link building specialists concentrate on producing Internet content that's going to get optimal results with search engines. This involves having hyperlinks to their website or social media pages appear on other locations on the Internet. An example of a way to do this is by reaching out to related sites, blogs or forums to build a relationship and get a link. SEO link building specialists also help develop strategies to increase a company's online profile through marketing and promotions, and they may use social media sites to initiate viral campaigns.
SEO link building strategists work with web developers and web designers to ensure that online content will get a high ranking from search engines, as well as lots of links, so that they can boost web traffic and raise the profile of their company or specific products. Their work can involve buying advertisements, and they also monitor website traffic.
| Educational Requirements | Bachelor's degree |
| Job Skills | Good communication skills, ability to work as part of a team and independently, familiarity with social media sites, marketing skills, strong computer skills |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $92,870 (for computer occupations, all other) |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029)* | 9% (for computer occupations, all other) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Employers usually require SEO link building specialists to have a bachelor's degree. Since this is a profession that combines marketing, writing and technical skills, employers may consider applicants with a wide range of degrees. In some cases, it is possible to enter this field with a high school diploma or associate's degree, but those without a degree will need several years of relevant experience in this career field to qualify.
Required Skills
Since SEO link building specialists may coordinate with many other staff members as part of their duties, they need to be capable of working as an effective part of a team and have good verbal communication skills. They also need strong written communication skills so that they can create and post attention-grabbing content online. Since their work involves producing links to material on the Internet, they need to have excellent computer skills and be experienced with using social media sites.
Career and Salary Outlook
SEO link building specialists are not listed separately on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website but classified under 'search marketing strategists', who are part of the broader group of 'computer occupations, all other'. According to the BLS, professionals in this field will see job opportunities increase by 9% from 2020 to 2030. The BLS reports that these professionals earned $92,870 per year in 2020.
Related Careers
Since SEO link building specialists may be involved with producing material to post online that's used to promote products or services, those interested in this career field will find they share some common duties with web copy editors, online marketing managers and SEO content writers. To learn more about these comparable careers, follow the links provided here.
