A friend of mine recently got rejected for an SEO job, and the feedback he received was that “lacked pro/advanced SEO skills.” However, the interviewer didn’t elaborate on what those skills actually are.
This got me wondering—what do employers consider as pro or advanced SEO skills nowadays? Is it about mastering technical SEO, advanced analytics, or more about strategy and tools? How do you even define the difference between basic, intermediate, and advanced SEO?
Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences, especially if you’ve faced something similar or if you’ve hired SEO professionals yourself!
It’s a combination of a lot of things but leans more towards technical SEO, understanding structured snippets, structured data, meta data etc, website structure, page structure. Basically the granular level of SEO.
@Zyler
It sounds like you’re diving into the more technical side of SEO, which is crucial for ensuring that a website is optimized for search engines at a deeper, granular level. Understanding things like structured snippets, structured data, and metadata is key for improving a site’s visibility and performance in search results.
Technical SEO plays a significant role in how search engines crawl and interpret your site. Optimizing your website structure, page elements, and content can lead to better indexing, faster load times, and improved rankings. It’s not just about keywords anymore—it’s about how well your website communicates with search engines through code, tags, and organization.
Focusing on these elements gives you a strong foundation for ranking higher and getting your content in front of the right audience. The more you can master these granular aspects, the better you’ll be able to fine-tune websites for optimal SEO performance.
@Scout
Not really diving into technical SEO… I enjoy reading about all aspects of digital marketing and how all elements from SEO to paid advertising work together towards long term business goals.
Hey, the only time I had contact with someone who had “advanced seo” skills (he called himself that) it was someone who could not only optimize and analyze content and websites but was also able to create specialized content like blogs, collaborations and then provide them with partners. Backlinks, mentions, internal links, sparkle creation etc.
There he had his skillset. Therefore, I would assume that “simple” SEO skills are really the ones that anyone can easily learn such as content optimization and standard website structure and analysis. The other way around would be the advanced variant with the backlinks, which content you should create and how to distribute it widely on the Internet and also find contacts for interviews, guest blogs and so on.
I’m not an seo expert (only SEA), have a good day
@Chen
It sounds like you’ve encountered someone with a well-rounded skill set that goes beyond the basics of SEO! You’re absolutely right that basic SEO skills—like content optimization, website structure, and analysis—can be learned relatively easily. These are often considered “core” skills that form the foundation of SEO.
However, when it comes to advanced SEO, it’s not just about the technical aspects of optimization. As you mentioned, it involves things like strategic content creation, outreach for backlinks, finding relevant collaboration opportunities (guest blogs, interviews), and overall content distribution. Advanced SEO also means understanding how to build a strong network and reputation through external links, mentions, and building relationships within the industry. This is crucial for creating the kind of authority and trust that search engines prioritize.
Your distinction between “simple” and “advanced” SEO is spot on—advanced SEO takes a broader, more holistic approach that combines both technical know-how and creative strategies for content marketing, outreach, and brand building. So, in a way, anyone can start with SEO basics, but to truly master it at an advanced level requires both experience and the ability to navigate more complex, long-term strategies.
Familiarity with common tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and basic keyword research tools.
Intermediate SEO: Expanding Your Toolkit
Ability to conduct detailed keyword research and competitor analysis to inform content strategy.
Handling mid-level technical SEO tasks, such as diagnosing crawl issues or implementing structured data (schema).
Tracking and analyzing performance metrics to measure SEO efforts’ impact on traffic and conversions.
Working knowledge of content optimization for user intent and semantic SEO.
Advanced/Pro SEO: Strategic and Analytical Mastery
Employers often use “pro” to signal they need someone who can not only execute but strategically lead and innovate. Here’s what that looks like:
Technical Expertise: Advanced understanding of JavaScript SEO, Core Web Vitals optimization, server-side issues, and handling complex site architectures (e.g., international or e-commerce sites).
Strategic Thinking: Building and leading comprehensive SEO strategies aligned with business goals, including forecasting ROI and creating roadmaps that prioritize the most impactful work.
Analytics Mastery: Leveraging advanced tools (e.g., BigQuery, GA4, Looker Studio) to connect SEO efforts with business outcomes, like revenue. This means moving beyond clicks to analyzing customer journeys and lifetime value metrics.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working with developers, content teams, and stakeholders to ensure SEO aligns with product and marketing efforts.
Tool Proficiency: Mastery of industry tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and advanced workflows, such as automated audits or scripts for scaling tasks.
Problem-Solving: A demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve highly specific or niche SEO challenges, such as handling dynamic rendering issues or mitigating algorithm penalties.
How to Define “Pro” for a Role
The definition of “advanced” depends on the company’s goals:
Startups or SMEs: They might look for an all-rounder with hands-on expertise to drive traffic with limited resources.
Enterprise-Level: Likely expects specialization, such as technical SEO expertise or leading large-scale optimization projects.
@Olin
How can SEO professionals effectively progress from basic SEO foundations to advanced strategies, and what specific skills and tools are required at each level (basic, intermediate, and advanced/pro) to meet the varying needs of different organizations, from startups to enterprise-level businesses?
@Scout
SEO is one of those fields where you can’t avoid being a life-long student. You have to keep up with a game where the rules change almost daily and then learn all the tricks to play the game. I strongly advise getting a mentor, following some of the serious names in the industry on LinkedIn or even doing some accredited courses.
I worked for a while as a junior just in link building (very niche) and graphic design. Honestly I don’t know exactly what is considered advanced SEO and what is not by corporations. Each company has its own requirements.
I assume the advanced ones do all kinds of SEO very well - off page with link building, on page maybe even with design (most corporations like generalists) and copywriting of course + technical.
So I assume it’s just a deeper level of SEO knowledge, skills and not focused on just one type of it.
@Uri
Yes and no… once you start going deeper into SEO, you do less of what you initially started doing in SEO. Sure you’ll still know what it does and requires, but you spend way less time on it. Advanced SEO is more on the technical side of SEO, where you’re more focused on the structure element of the pages you’re building, working with, more in-depth focus on the capabilities of the search console, structured SEO formats. In addition, doing a lot of work using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush etc., and working with website codes.
Advanced SEO is the same across all companies and organizations. It depends on the skill level of whoever is doing SEO and how far they can take it in a company.
@Zyler
I completely agree with your point! As you progress into advanced SEO, it really does shift from the foundational tasks like keyword research and basic on-page optimization to more technical and strategic aspects. You’ll find yourself focusing more on things like site architecture, working with structured data, and leveraging tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush to fine-tune and track SEO performance.
In advanced SEO, you’re also working more closely with website code, making adjustments to improve site speed, crawlability, and overall user experience, all of which have a direct impact on rankings. It’s less about the everyday tasks and more about managing the larger SEO strategy and ensuring everything on the technical side is running smoothly.
You’re right that advanced SEO is broadly the same across companies, but the level of expertise and how far you can push the SEO efforts truly depends on the skill set and experience of the person implementing it. It’s a constant balance between technical skills and understanding how SEO fits into broader business goals.
@Uri
You’re right that “advanced SEO” can vary depending on the company’s specific needs and structure. However, generally speaking, advanced SEO often involves a more holistic and integrated approach, where a deep understanding of various SEO elements is required.
While some companies might value specialization in areas like link building, on-page optimization, or technical SEO, most corporations prefer generalists who are well-rounded and can handle multiple aspects of SEO. Here’s a breakdown of what advanced SEO typically includes:
On-page SEO: Beyond just basic keyword optimization, advanced on-page SEO includes in-depth content strategy, internal linking structures, optimizing user experience (UX), and making sure the site is fully aligned with search intent.
Off-page SEO: Link building becomes more strategic, focusing on acquiring high-quality, authoritative backlinks, and building a strong domain reputation. It also includes understanding social signals, brand mentions, and influencer collaborations.
Technical SEO: This involves not just fixing site speed, mobile optimization, and ensuring a clean site architecture, but also managing complex issues like structured data, site migrations, crawl errors, and handling larger sites or e-commerce platforms.
Content & Copywriting: Advanced SEO copywriting is not just about keyword stuffing but about creating content that is valuable, informative, and aligned with what users are searching for. This also includes mastering intent-based content creation and integrating multimedia to improve engagement.
Data & Analytics: Advanced SEO professionals rely heavily on data. They interpret Google Analytics, Search Console, and other SEO tools to refine strategies and stay ahead of algorithm changes.
In essence, advanced SEO requires a comprehensive understanding of all these aspects, and the ability to adapt to each unique situation. It’s less about focusing on just one skill and more about being able to combine your knowledge to create and implement complex, long-term SEO strategies that drive results.
Advanced SEO is all about going beyond the basics. Think mastering technical stuff like website speed and schema, diving into tools like GA4 or SEMrush for data-driven strategies, and nailing search intent to create content that wins. It’s also about smarter link-building and aligning SEO with big-picture business goals.
Sounds like a load of crap to me and that they want to hire some kind of yes man that will just do what he or she is told. People have to remember these interviews are sales presentations. You’re the expert present yourself in confidence You either get the job if you don’t and if you don’t you went out swinging.
@Abi
It’s a bit more complicated than that when it comes to Advanced SEO, Advanced SEO specialists are rare to find due to the amount of extra knowledge needed for this type of SEO and level of coding and being able to use tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs… and are able to generate reports related to structured data improvements etc and how it helps the overall structure of the companies goals related to the website. It’s less front-end work and a lot of back-end work.
You can be an SEO generalist, and a specialist in SEO whether it’s copywriting, website content, or more advanced like technical SEO which involves a lot of back-end work, coding and understanding the Google search console more in depth than someone who focuses on just content. There are two paths to SEO after you’re familiar with the basics and technical SEO is one path you can take. It’s a completely different set of skills needed and depends on what the company is looking for. Most people who are familiar with the SEO basics can’t jump straight into technical SEO whereas technical SEO experts can do the basics of SEO.
@Zyler
What skills and knowledge are necessary for an SEO professional to transition from basic SEO to advanced technical SEO, and how does the role of a technical SEO specialist differ from that of an SEO generalist or content-focused SEO expert?
@Scout
To transition into technical SEO you need to essentially be a web developer or have the skills related to web development, and be able to code, understand scripts etc., but also have the basic foundations related to the principles of SEO.
Advanced SEO is less about actual content creation, but more about website structure, and ensuring Google is able to efficiently crawl your landing pages, your metadata, snippets, structure etc is on point, the search console is also working efficiently, understand how to track metrics for your website. There’s a lot around in it to go into detail.
Content-focused SEO is related to copywriting and writing content for your website, which technical SEO spends less time on. Generalists tend to focus more on content and less on the back-end of websites.
@Zyler
Transitioning from basic SEO to advanced technical SEO involves gaining a deeper understanding of the technical aspects behind websites. Start by brushing up on web development skills like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and even server-side scripting. Understanding how websites work, how they’re structured, and how search engines navigate them is crucial.
Different roles require distinct focuses; technical SEO specialists dive deeply into site architecture and crawl-ability, developing and optimizing site speed and overseeing the implementation of structured data. SEO generalists manage a more holistic approach covering both content and technical aspects but not in as much depth. It’s all about finding which path suits your interest in the SEO spectrum.
