SEO Interview Questions
In the vast arena of digital marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a cornerstone, ensuring visibility and organic growth for online platforms. As companies compete for prime positions in search results, hiring individuals with sharp SEO expertise becomes crucial. This guide presents an informed set of 25 questions, meticulously crafted to assess the strategic, technical, and analytical abilities of potential SEO specialists. Leveraging these questions, businesses can hone their recruitment strategies, guaranteeing they enlist professionals who can navigate the intricacies of search algorithms and optimization techniques.
Explain the difference between on-page and off-page SEO.
Answer: On-page refers to optimizing website elements like content, meta tags, and structure, while off-page relates to external factors like backlinks and social signals.
How do you handle a manual penalty from Google?
Answer: I review Google Search Console for the specific issue, rectify the problem, document the changes, and then submit a reconsideration request.
What tools do you use for keyword research?
Answer: I use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Ubersuggest to identify potential target keywords.
How do you measure the success of your SEO efforts?
Answer: I monitor organic traffic, keyword rankings, conversion rates, and backlink profiles using analytics tools.
How do you approach mobile SEO?
Answer: I ensure a responsive design, optimize site speed for mobile, and implement mobile-friendly content strategies.
How do you tackle duplicate content issues?
Answer: I use canonical tags, ensure unique meta data, and avoid boilerplate repetition to prevent duplication.
How do you build a strong backlink profile?
Answer: I focus on content outreach, guest blogging, and building relationships with reputable sites in the industry.
Explain the importance of an XML sitemap.
Answer: An XML sitemap helps search engines crawl and index the website's pages more efficiently, aiding in better visibility.
How do you handle pages that you don't want to be crawled by search engines?
Answer: I use the robots.txt file and meta robots tags to instruct search engines on which pages to ignore.
Describe your experience with Schema markup.
Answer: I've implemented Schema to provide search engines with structured data, enhancing rich snippets in search results.
How do you prioritize SEO tasks?
Answer: I base priorities on potential traffic impact, business goals, and ease of implementation.
How do you improve page load speed?
Answer: I optimize images, leverage browser caching, minify scripts, and utilize CDNs to enhance page load times.
Explain the concept of E-A-T in SEO.
Answer: E-A-T stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, which Google uses to gauge the quality of web content.
How do you handle local SEO for a business?
Answer: I optimize Google My Business listings, garner local reviews, build local citations, and create localized content.
How do you collaborate with content and development teams for SEO?
Answer: I provide keyword insights for content creation and collaborate on technical implementations with the development team.
What's your approach to international SEO?
Answer: I employ hreflang tags, create region-specific content, and set geotargeting in search console for different regions.
How do you tackle negative SEO attacks?
Answer: I monitor backlink profiles for spammy links, use the disavow tool when necessary, and maintain regular site audits.
Explain the importance of voice search optimization.
Answer: Voice search is growing rapidly, so optimizing for natural language queries and local search is crucial.
How do you determine the success of a link-building campaign?
Answer: I track the number of acquired links, domain authority of linking sites, referral traffic, and improvements in keyword rankings.
How do you approach keyword cannibalization?
Answer: I identify overlapping keywords across pages, then merge, delete, or differentiate content to resolve conflicts.
What's your experience with AMP?
Answer: I've implemented AMP to provide mobile users with faster-loading pages, improving user experience and mobile rankings.
How do you handle a website migration without losing SEO value?
Answer: I map old URLs to new ones, implement 301 redirects, update internal links, and monitor rankings post-migration.
How do you approach CRO in relation to SEO?
Answer: I conduct A/B tests, optimize meta tags for higher CTR, and ensure that UX improvements align with SEO goals.
Describe your experience with video SEO.
Answer: I've optimized video titles, descriptions, and tags, and implemented video schema markup to enhance visibility in search results.
Hiring an SEOs With Braintrust
In your pursuit of SEOs, we stand ready to assist in finding top talent swiftly. With our services, you can expect to be matched with five highly-qualified SEOs within just minutes. Let us streamline your recruitment process and connect you with the skilled professionals you seek to meet your needs effectively.
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Dominique Roy
Vancouver, Canada
- Copywriting
- SEO
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Content Marketing
- SEO
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Michael Peck
Chicago, IL, USA
- Content Marketing
- SEO
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