When you need this role
You need this role when organic search and AI visibility are important acquisition channels and the work requires ongoing analysis, prioritization, implementation, and content improvement rather than an occasional blog post.
What this role does day to day
The role may include technical and on-page audits, keyword and intent research, content briefs, content refreshes, internal linking, Search Console analysis, local SEO, schema recommendations, performance reporting, and improvements that make important information easier for search engines and AI systems to understand and cite.
Core responsibilities and skills to screen for
- Search intent and SERP analysis
- On-page SEO
- Technical SEO fundamentals
- Internal linking and site architecture
- Search Console and analytics
- Content optimization and editorial judgment
- AI visibility / answerability concepts without hype
- Clear client-facing reporting where required
Where to find candidates
OnlineJobs.ph has an active SEO talent pool, and direct sourcing can work well for this role. Because SEO titles vary so much, I care more than usual about real examples, process explanations, and the candidate’s ability to diagnose a page or site than about a resume keyword list.
Rate guidance
Current August 2026 OnlineJobs.ph examples include PHP 25,000 to 50,000/month for a full-time SEO specialist, PHP 45,000 to 50,000/month for an agency/local SEO role, and $1,200 to $1,500/month for a more advanced SEO role that explicitly includes AI search and content optimization. See the Rate Guide for context and source notes.
How to vet candidates
Give the candidate a real page or article and ask what they would improve first and why. Ask them to identify search-intent mismatch, weak headings, poor internal linking, thin information gain, technical issues, or weak answerability. A practical optimization exercise is far more useful than asking them to recite SEO terminology.
Strong signals and red flags
Strong signals
Clear reasoning, thoughtful prioritization, evidence of actual optimization work, comfort explaining tradeoffs, strong written English, and the ability to connect technical or content changes to business goals.
Red flags
Treating SEO as keyword stuffing, talking only about tools, confusing output volume with performance, promising rankings, or offering no clear explanation of what they would change first and why.
Common hiring mistakes
- Hiring a content writer and expecting them to own technical SEO, reporting, and strategy too.
- Treating “AI visibility” as a list of hacks instead of an extension of strong search, content, source, and technical practices.
- Hiring on certifications without testing actual diagnostic ability.
Job-post template
Job Title: SEO & AI Visibility Specialist - Remote
About the role
We are looking for an SEO and AI visibility specialist who can improve how our pages perform in search and how our information is understood, surfaced, and cited across modern search experiences.
Responsibilities
- Audit and improve page-level SEO
- Improve titles, headings, structure, and internal linking
- Support technical and content optimization priorities
- Identify opportunities to improve answerability and AI visibility
- Use search and analytics tools to guide recommendations
- Report clearly on progress and next actions
Must-haves
- Demonstrated SEO knowledge with real examples
- Strong written English
- Ability to explain why a page is underperforming
- Comfort with Search Console, analytics, and common SEO tools
- Ability to prioritize high-impact improvements
Nice to have
- Local SEO experience
- WordPress or Squarespace experience
- Surfer SEO, Semrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or similar tools
- Agency or multi-client experience
To apply
1. Audit the attached page and list your top five recommendations in priority order.
2. Give one example of an SEO improvement you made and what happened afterward.
3. Explain how you think about AI visibility in practical terms.
4. Provide your desired hourly or monthly rate and availability.
Or skip the search entirely
If you would rather not write the listing, sort applicants, run assessments, and conduct first interviews yourself, see the introductory Sourcing & Vetting Fees on the Done-For-You page.