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What Does an SEO Manager Do? Role, Tasks & Cost of Hiring One

By MySEOManager team · Updated · How it works

An SEO manager plans and runs a company’s search strategy (deciding what to fix, what to publish and which links to pursue) and reports on results. Smaller businesses usually get this through an agency or managed service rather than a full-time hire.

Typical responsibilities

  • Keyword and competitor research
  • Technical audits and fixes (with developers)
  • Content planning, briefing and optimization
  • Local SEO: Google Business Profile, listings, reviews
  • Link building and digital PR
  • Reporting: rankings, traffic, leads and revenue

Skills to look for

Clear communication, a strong grasp of how Google works, comfort with Search Console and analytics, writing and editing, and the judgment to prioritize the few things that matter.

In-house vs outsourced

Option Typical cost Good for
Full-time SEO manager A full salary plus tools ($100-$500+/month) Larger companies with lots of SEO work
Freelancer Hourly or monthly retainer Specific skills, smaller budgets
Agency $1,000-$5,000+/month Teams of specialists
Managed SEO service $200-$1,000/month Small local businesses

For most single-location businesses, a managed service like MySEOManager gives you the role without the salary.

Frequently asked questions

Is an SEO manager the same as an SEO specialist?

Specialists usually focus on execution in one area (technical, content, links); a manager owns the strategy and priorities.

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