Are AI and Layoffs Going to Affect the SEO Industry?

gary2

gary2

Elite Member
Jr. VIP
Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Messages
3,403
Reaction score
585
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
 
  • Like
Reactions: TH1
Advertise on BHW
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...
I believe that AI will change SEO roles but not completely make them redundant those who pick up AI tools and improve their strategy and analytics skills will have opportunities open up to them
 
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...


I really don't see that many layoffs but I think there would be some areas that won't really be needed. At the end of the day you still need human beings to manage it, right?

Mainly what we do for her is we've integrated some of the Ahrefs system to really improve on our business processes, which has really, really helped tremendously. At the end of the day we still have humans to manage it. For example we are a full-team business and we have some freelancers that work with us for customer support as well.

There are some feeds or areas where we don't really need more people anymore but we still need all those departments to be managed very well, like the outreach department, the finance department, the branding department, and the partner department as well. All those key areas are still needed but you tend to save more money by outsourcing some projects to freelancers
 
AI can automate numerous repetitive SEO tasks but strategic analysis and the goals of clients still require human input it might alter the skills sought by agencies rather than wiping out SEO careers altogether new possibilities might arise through the combination of GEO and AI search visibility
 
AI may reduce demand for repetitive SEO tasks, but it also creates opportunities in GEO, AEO, technical SEO, and AI search visibility. I think SEO professionals who learn to use AI effectively and focus on strategy, quality backlinks, and measurable results will be better positioned for the changing industry.
 
I think AI will automate some repetitive seo tasks but it will not replace strategic thinking solving technical problems and understanding user intent it might just alter what kind of skills are valued in agencies instead of replacing everyone are agencies hiring for AI skills more these days?
 
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...
Absolutely agree!

AI is transforming seo. adapt, think strategically, and focus on results not just execution.
 
Well, the content arm of the SEO industry has already gone bust
It wouldn't stop there
 
I think AI will change SEO roles more than eliminate the industry. Repetitive tasks like keyword clustering, basic audits, and reporting can be automated, but strategy, competitor analysis, link building, and understanding what actually moves rankings still need experience.

GEO is also creating new opportunities around brand mentions, digital PR, and AI citation tracking. The people who learn to use AI while building strong SEO fundamentals will be in a better position than those who rely only on manual tasks.
 
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...
The real shift is toward professionals who can combine AI tools with strategy, data, and real SEO experience rather than just producing more content.
 
AI may reduce demand for repetitive SEO tasks, but it also creates opportunities in strategy, technical SEO, and AI search optimization. Professionals who combine AI efficiency with analytical skills and real business understanding will likely be better positioned.
 
Probably, claude opus 5.5 can do better SEO then the best of agencies in the world, and don't even need to talk to any humans
 
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...
Every industry/role where AI could replace or do a decent job has already experienced layoffs. For myself, some quick content that I usually pay writers for, I just use AI for them.

Some simple but repetitive tasks too, have all been taken over by AI.
 
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...
while some companies will need less staff in area that can be covered by ai technology, but i think that seos will stay around for a while still. there will certainly be changes in what they do however.
 
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...
I believe humans doing traditional digital marketing or coding work might replaced in 20-30 years. However, that doesn't mean they can't be useful RN. Also if you pick up AI development, Network administration or Cybersecurity as career choices they will always have jobs since the attackers will also try to get the upper hand sigh AI.
 
AI will automate repetitive seo tasks, but strategy, technical seo, and link building still need expertise. the industry is changing, not disappearing.
 
gary2 said:
With AI automating content creation, keyword research, and SEO tasks, could we see more layoffs in the industry?

Are SEO agencies hiring less, or are new opportunities emerging through AI and GEO?

SEO professionals, what changes are you noticing in your work?
Click to expand...
the larger risk is that the clients will see AI as making SEO a single click affair and reduce the budgets allocated for it it will be increasingly important to proves which organic pages drive paying traffic
 
Advertise on BHW
You must log in or register to reply here.
Sign up now!

Main Menu

Home Main Forum List Black Hat SEO White Hat SEO BHW Newbie Guide Blogging Black Hat Tools Social Media Downloads

Marketplace

Account Selling Content / Copywriting EBooks / Methods Hosting Misc Proxies For Sale SEO - Link building SEO - Packages Social Media Social Media - Panels Web Design More

Making Money

Affiliate Programs Hire a Freelancer IM Journeys Making Money Pay Per Click Site Flipping Want to Buy

BlackHat World

Dispute Resolution Forum Suggestions & Feedback Introductions Lounge
Back
Top