10 Essential SEO Copywriter Interview Questions *

This open-ended question allows candidates to introduce themselves and describe their professional journey into SEO copywriting. The answer should reveal the candidate’s passion, motivations, long-term commitment to the field, and their relevant experience in SEO-related roles. By describing the origins of their professional interest in SEO, candidates may describe how they came to appreciate the business value of SEO. They may also touch on specific training they have completed in SEO or related fields, demonstrating a mix of practical experience and theoretical knowledge.

SEO copywriters should be familiar with developing various content types, including landing pages, product description pages, blog posts, and digital white papers. This basic SEO copywriter interview question allows candidates to showcase their versatility, creativity, and capacity for complex projects. In some cases, SEO copywriters may create content that adheres to a content brief provided by clients or employers; in other cases, developing relevant content may require independent research.

The SEO writing process begins with keyword research, content gap analysis, or reviewing SEO content strategy. Clients may provide freelance SEO copywriters with content briefs outlining target keywords for new projects, but SEO copywriters should also be comfortable using SEO tools, such as Ahrefs, Semrush, and Google Keyword Planner.

SEO copywriters should also consult brand guidelines to ensure alignment with voice, writing style, and overall market position. As with other content writers, SEO copywriters should be adept at reviewing existing brand content to ensure overall cohesion. SEO copywriters must also identify ways content could be optimized for stronger performance. They should find alignment between brand needs and user search intent.

SEO copywriters should then draft content that employs target keywords, content structures, internal linking, external linking, meta descriptions, and other SEO-related elements. They may use SEO tools like Frase or Clearscope to review content for SEO competitiveness while also focusing on content authority and user appeal. After presenting a draft to the client, SEO copywriters should refine and edit the copy based on feedback and ensure the final copy meets the client’s editorial style guidelines.

SEO copywriters are not simply writing for search engines; they must keep the needs and interests of potential customers in mind. After all, Google prioritizes content that shows experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (also known as E-E-A-T). Keyword stuffing is no longer a viable option to attract search traffic: If content doesn’t fulfill genuine search intent or is challenging to read, it will discourage users and ultimately perform poorly.

A good SEO copywriter should focus on natural keyword integration, ensuring content flows smoothly and reads well. They should also pay attention to optimizing headlines, meta descriptions, and calls-to-action for both search engines and users. Additionally, SEO copywriters may incorporate multimedia elements like images and videos, with appropriate alt text, to enhance user engagement while contributing to overall SEO copywriting efforts.

Candidates should describe a project where their SEO copywriting efforts positively impacted key performance metrics such as search ranking, bounce rate, conversion rate, or other metrics. For example, they could detail a project where their content boosted organic traffic and conversions over a specific period by strategically incorporating target keywords.

Candidates should also discuss the tools and methods they used to track and measure these metrics, such as Google Analytics, and how they used these insights to refine their content or inform SEO strategy. This demonstrates their ability to achieve results as well as their critical-thinking skills and commitment to continuous learning.

This question is essential for an SEO copywriting interview as it gauges the candidate’s growth mindset and commitment to producing compelling content that meets and exceeds organizational standards. For instance, the candidate may outline a scenario when a stakeholder objected to content for unclear reasons. In that scenario, the candidate should describe how they asked clarifying questions and revised the content based on the feedback received.

By illustrating their willingness to learn from criticism, the SEO copywriter can showcase their ability to refine their writing process and enhance the overall quality of their work. This question allows candidates to display their professional maturity, problem-solving skills, and commitment to delivering content that aligns with client expectations and strategic goals.

A successful SEO copywriting candidate should approach this question by emphasizing their adeptness in prioritizing tasks and meeting tight deadlines within a fast-paced environment. They should describe their time management skills and tactics, such as using task lists and calendars to organize their workload efficiently. By detailing how they prioritize tasks, candidates can showcase their ability to project manage and deliver on time.

Candidates should also address their communication and collaboration skills, highlighting how they interact with team members and stakeholders to streamline SEO copywriting processes and maintain project coherence.

Some SEO copywriting projects require cross-functional collaboration. For instance, SEO content may include infographics and other on-page images, and copywriters may be responsible for developing creative briefs to guide design teams in creating assets that align with the text copy.

When launching a new type of content, an SEO copywriter may also need to iterate with website development teams, marketing strategists, and others. Such projects require clear lines of communication and effective project management to ensure each team member has the resources necessary to deliver tasks on schedule.

Additionally, candidates may describe professional experience with tools or platforms used for project management and communication, such as Slack, Trello, or Asana.

SEO specialists must stay abreast of the latest search engine algorithm updates, as even small changes can cause fluctuations in search performance. SEO copywriters should follow these industry trends by keeping up with thought leadership blogs, industry newsletters, online courses, and membership in professional organizations. Additionally, SEO copywriters should experiment with new SEO tools and technologies. They should also discuss how they apply what they learn to their professional work, demonstrating their ability to adapt to SEO trends in real time.