Search Marketing Strategists

Search Marketing Strategists score 55 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #140 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 36 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 4 on its own and 32 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 18 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

55/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #140of 923 jobs
US workers: 899,580for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Median pay: $78,760a year
In real AI use: 18 of 36tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 4 (11%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 32 (89%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Coordinate with developers to optimize Web site architecture, server configuration, or page construction for search engine consumption and optimal visibility.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create content strategies for digital media.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Develop transactional Web applications, using Web programming software and knowledge of programming languages, such as hypertext markup language (HTML) and extensible markup language (XML).AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Identify methods for interfacing Web application technologies with enterprise resource planning or other system software.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Manage tracking and reporting of search-related activities and provide analyses to marketing executives.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Optimize digital assets, such as text, graphics, or multimedia assets, for search engine optimization (SEO) or for display and usability on internet-connected devices.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collect and analyze Web metrics, such as visits, time on site, page views per visit, transaction volume and revenue, traffic mix, click-through rates, conversion rates, cost per acquisition, or cost per click.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Participate in the development or implementation of online marketing strategy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Optimize Web site exposure by analyzing search engine patterns to direct online placement of keywords or other content.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Assist in setting up or optimizing analytics tools for tracking visitors' behaviors.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Identify appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and report key metrics from digital campaigns.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Combine secondary data sources with keyword research to more accurately profile and satisfy user intent.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collaborate with other marketing staff to integrate and complement marketing strategies across multiple sales channels.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Optimize shopping cart experience or Web site conversion rates against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Improve search-related activities through ongoing analysis, experimentation, or optimization tests, using A/B or multivariate methods.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct online marketing initiatives, such as paid ad placement, affiliate programs, sponsorship programs, email promotions, or viral marketing campaigns on social media Web sites.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Conduct market research analysis to identify search query trends, real-time search and news media activity, popular social media topics, electronic commerce trends, market opportunities, or competitor performance.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Propose online or multiple-sales-channel campaigns to marketing executives.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Evaluate new emerging media or technologies and make recommendations for their application within Internet marketing or search marketing campaigns.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Communicate and collaborate with merchants, Webmasters, bloggers, or online editors to strategically place hyperlinks.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Identify, evaluate, or procure hardware or software for implementing online marketing campaigns.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Collaborate with Web, multimedia, or art design staffs to create multimedia Web sites or other internet content that conforms to brand and company visual format.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Keep abreast of government regulations and emerging Web technology to ensure regulatory compliance by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Purchase or negotiate placement of listings in local search engines, directories, or digital mapping technologies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Coordinate sales or other promotional strategies with merchandising, operations, or inventory control staff to ensure product catalogs are current, accurate, and organized for best findability against user intent.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Execute or manage social media campaigns to inform search marketing tactics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct financial modeling for online marketing programs or Web site revenue forecasting.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Implement online customer service processes to ensure positive and consistent user experiences.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Identify and develop commercial or technical specifications, such as usability, pricing, checkout, or data security, to promote transactional internet-enabled commerce functionality.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Define product requirements, based on market research analysis, in collaboration with user interface design and engineering staff.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Execute or manage banner, video, or other non-text link ad campaigns.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Assist in the evaluation or negotiation of contracts with vendors or online partners.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Prepare electronic commerce designs or prototypes, such as storyboards, mock-ups, or other content, using graphics design software.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Assist in the development of online transaction or security policies.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Execute and manage communications with digital journalists or bloggers.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Resolve product availability problems in collaboration with customer service staff.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task

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Questions about search marketing strategists and AI

Will AI replace search marketing strategists?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Search Marketing Strategists score 55 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #140 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 36 of the job's 36 tasks, 4 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which search marketing strategists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Coordinate with developers to optimize Web site architecture, server configuration, or page construction for search engine consumption and optimal visibility"; "Create content strategies for digital media"; "Develop transactional Web applications, using Web programming software and knowledge of programming languages, such as hypertext markup language (HTML) and extensible markup language (XML)".

Which search marketing strategists tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 32 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 18 of the 36 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as search marketing strategists, and what do they earn?

About 899,580 people in the US (figure for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists), with median pay of $78,760 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.