Search engine optimization, or SEO, is one of the most effective forms of marketing. It helps businesses create campaigns that generate traffic and improve rankings. However, it requires both technical and soft skills to succeed.

Technical SEO includes skills like rewrites, server response codes, and sitemaps. In addition, an in-depth understanding of page-level optimization is essential. This is important because any change to the way content is structured changes the SEO strategy.

SEO is an art as well as a science. The SEO landscape is constantly changing. As the industry matures, focus is increasingly on results.

A well-rounded SEO practitioner is able to analyze data and identify trends. They are also capable of identifying areas of interest and building on those. For example, they might want to analyze the performance of an SEO campaign before implementing it. By analyzing the data, they can determine which campaigns resonate with customers and plan future campaigns.

Whether you are working in-house or at an agency, it is vital to know how to manage your time. Ideally, you should have a solid work ethic, good organization, and a knack for communicating with others.

Content creation and distribution are also critical SEO skills. You may be asked to write articles, rewrite other people’s work, or produce infographics. Regardless of the content, it is important to know how to research keywords and optimize for them.

The Internet has opened up new ways for business owners to market their products or services. Social media is a powerful tool for generating traffic. When used correctly, social media metrics can help with rankings and user engagement.