Search Engine Optimization

The ability to analyze and optimize technical structure, content quality, and external signals to improve web content visibility and rankings in search engines.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a comprehensive skill that involves understanding and leveraging how search engines crawl, index, and rank web content to improve organic search visibility. It spans keyword research and search intent analysis, on-page optimization, technical SEO, link building, content strategy, local SEO, and international SEO. Beginners start by learning how search engines work and optimizing individual pages. At the highest level, practitioners predict paradigm shifts in search technology and set industry standards.

Business & Management

7 Levels

Published: Mar 24, 2026 · Updated: Mar 24, 2026 · v2

Levels

You're starting to grasp how search engines work. You can distinguish between crawling, indexing, and ranking, and identify the components of a search engine results page (SERP). You're getting hands-on with keyword research tools and registering your first site with webmaster tools.

Can explain the three-stage process of how search engines work: crawling, indexing, and ranking
Can identify where a page's title tag and meta description appear in search results
Can distinguish between organic search results and paid ads for a given keyword
Can use a keyword research tool to check the monthly search volume for a specific keyword
Can register at least one website you manage with a webmaster tool
Can explain the purpose and basic syntax of a robots.txt file

What Comes Next

If you've checked off most of this list, you're ready to enter the On-Page Practitioner stage, where you'll optimize individual page elements like titles, meta tags, and heading structures.

References

SFIA FoundationCompetency Framework

SEO를 포함한 디지털 마케팅 역량을 7단계 책임 수준(Level 3-5 정의)으로 구조화. 레벨별 자율성과 영향 범위의 근거로 활용

SFIA 9 — Digital Marketing (DIGM)

U.S. Department of Laborgovernment_data

SEO 전문가의 핵심 업무(키워드 분석, 웹사이트 아키텍처 최적화, 메트릭스 수집), 필수 지식 영역, 스킬 요구사항을 공식 직업 분류 기준으로 제공

O*NET — Search Marketing Strategists (13-1161.01)

GoogleCurriculum

검색엔진 제작사가 직접 정의한 SEO 기본 원칙. 크롤링, 인덱싱, 콘텐츠 최적화, 이미지/영상 최적화 등 초급-중급 체크리스트 항목의 권위 있는 근거

Google SEO Starter Guide

HubSpot AcademyCertification

초급(SEO 기초, 온페이지, 키워드 리서치, 링크빌딩, 리포팅)과 고급(Core Web Vitals, 사이트 마이그레이션, SEO 감사) 2단계 커리큘럼으로 체크리스트 난이도 배분의 근거

HubSpot SEO Certification (I + II)

Search Engine Optimization

Levels

Level 1#SearchFundamentals#CrawlIndex#KeywordBasicsYou understand how search engines crawl, index, and rank content, and can use basic SEO tools.

Level 2#OnPageOptimization#SearchIntent#MetaTagCraftYou can optimize individual page elements including title tags, meta descriptions, and heading structure.

Level 3#TechnicalSEO#CoreWebVitals#StructuredData#SiteArchitectureYou can implement site-wide technical SEO including sitemaps, structured data, and Core Web Vitals optimization.

Level 4#SEOAudit#ContentStrategy#CompetitorAnalysis#RankTrackingYou can build and execute a site-wide search strategy based on SEO audits and competitive analysis.

Level 5#CrossChannelIntegration#SiteMigration#SEOLeadershipYou can integrate SEO with content marketing, social media, and other channels while leading a team and managing site migrations.

Level 6#InternationalSEO#CrawlBudget#SEOGovernance#EnterpriseScaleYou can design international SEO for multilingual sites and establish SEO governance across a large organization.

Level 7#SearchEcosystem#AlgorithmPrediction#IndustryInfluence#SEOInnovationYou can predict paradigm shifts in search technology, set industry standards, and advise global enterprises.

References