What Should "Search Engine Optimizers" Call Themselves?

If you are in the business of doing SEO, what is an appropriate job title for you? I'm sure many of you have grappled with that question, similar to a member at the HighRankings Forums.

Tough question, really. I've seen people spend a ridiculously long time explaining what they do.

thanks for asking about something I've struggled with. I call myself a SEO consultant, but than I end up having to explain myself to the general population. You call yourself a plumber or a realtor and people know what you do. You say you do SEO or SEM and they get a blank look on their face.

Some people try to say that they work in "Marketing." Others, like administrator Jill Whalen, use a more specific and to-the-point title:

o the general population (like what I tell people I meet at a wedding) I just say that "I help businesses get their websites found in Google."
To businesses, however, I'm pretty much an SEO Consultant or Search Marketer.

Another good one is a business card with the following text:

WEB OPTIMIZATION The art and science of producing targeted website traffic and converting that traffic into sales.

What do you use?

Forum discussion at HighRankings Forum.

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posted Tamar Weinberg in Search Engine Optimization at June 1, 2007 8:55 AM Comments (13)

Comments

I work on the internet! I've been down the road of trying to explain to a taxi driver what Google is before and it goes down like a ton of bricks.

Posted by David Eaves at June 1, 2007 09:24

I stick to just SEO and SEM now as most folks out there are just learning about what an SEO does so I'll ride with that and keep it simple until it becomes too mainstream and then see what to call myself...

David

Posted by David Saunders at June 1, 2007 10:09

SEO specialist: I usually advise that I give recommendations to help websites achieve top results in SE's.

Posted by Shahid at June 1, 2007 10:56

I have had to deal with the question of what to call myself for twelve years. If all you do is optimize for the search engines you are a search engine optimization marketing specialist (SEO). SEO is very limited and does not include the many ways that people search for content outside a search engine. If you include pay-per-click management, usability, directory submissions, electronic press releases and social marketing the proper title is search optimization marketing specialist.

Posted by Gerry Grant at June 1, 2007 11:43

great post tamar. if i'm in a silly mood i tell people i'm a hacker - and watch the look on their face, eyes and jaws drop in disillusion. Webster does define hacker as "an expert at programming and solving problems with a computer" which is a pretty accurate description of my profession.

Posted by avi at June 1, 2007 11:58

Our company declares us as Internet Marketing Specialists

Posted by Brent at June 1, 2007 12:52

My title is 'director of online marketing' but nobody at the agency ever gets it right. If my co-workers aren't clear on what I do imagine how the clients feel...

Posted by Martin Edic at June 1, 2007 14:56

D'oh! Left the .com off my URL (and I call myself an online marketer!)

Posted by Martin Edic at June 1, 2007 14:58

I often go with a combination of the following: Internet/technical communication specialist/consultant.
Reason is that I see SEO as an added communication constraint that you need to be aware of.

Posted by Paul at June 1, 2007 17:19

I am Sr. Strategist - Internet Marketing in my company.....

As I need to make best search engine marketing strategies for websites.

And I m happy with my position.

Posted by Amit Verma at June 2, 2007 06:38

My colleagues at work wonder what exactly is that I do. I often get the question in the elevator. So for a 30 second ride I can not tell them much. I tell them I'm a student. If it is a good looking girl from the new recruitment a lunch and detailed explanation is optional ;)

Posted by Svetoslav at June 2, 2007 16:49

SEO Specialist/Consultant, Search Marketing Professional, whatever is a widely understood title. The profession is a youngster compared to the plumbers and engineers of the world so we have some educating tasks to do to make these titles more known to the public.

Posted by Elmer W. Cagape at June 3, 2007 21:06

I started in SEO and SEM 8 mos ago and have been my company's "Internet Marketing/Optimization Specialist" from Day 1.

Posted by James Tierney at June 4, 2007 14:24

What Should "Search Engine Optimizers" Call Themselves?

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