Will AI replace Search Marketing Strategists?
AI can do 100% of the work Search Marketing Strategists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 16 of their 36 tasks, while 20 more are ready but barely used so far.
AI is already doing this16 · 55% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- 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.Mostly automated7% of time
- Optimize digital assets, such as text, graphics, or multimedia assets, for search engine optimization (SEO) or for display and usability on internet-connected devices.Mostly automated7% of time
- Optimize Web site exposure by analyzing search engine patterns to direct online placement of keywords or other content.Mostly automated6% of time
- Coordinate with developers to optimize Web site architecture, server configuration, or page construction for search engine consumption and optimal visibility.Mostly automated5% of time
- Create content strategies for digital media.Mostly automated5% of time
- Identify appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and report key metrics from digital campaigns.Mostly automated5% of time
- 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.Mostly automated4% of time
- Conduct online marketing initiatives, such as paid ad placement, affiliate programs, sponsorship programs, email promotions, or viral marketing campaigns on social media Web sites.Mostly automated4% of time
- Improve search-related activities through ongoing analysis, experimentation, or optimization tests, using A/B or multivariate methods.Mostly automated4% of time
- Execute or manage social media campaigns to inform search marketing tactics.Mostly automated2% of time
- Optimize shopping cart experience or Web site conversion rates against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).Mostly automated2% of time
- 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.Mostly automated1% of time
- 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.Mostly automated1% of time
- Purchase or negotiate placement of listings in local search engines, directories, or digital mapping technologies.Mostly automated1% of time
- Identify methods for interfacing Web application technologies with enterprise resource planning or other system software.Mostly automatedunder 1% of time
- Develop transactional Web applications, using Web programming software and knowledge of programming languages, such as hypertext markup language (HTML) and extensible markup language (XML).Mostly automatedunder 1% of time
AI could do this next20 · 45% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Manage tracking and reporting of search-related activities and provide analyses to marketing executives.7% of time
- Participate in the development or implementation of online marketing strategy.6% of time
- Combine secondary data sources with keyword research to more accurately profile and satisfy user intent.5% of time
- Collaborate with other marketing staff to integrate and complement marketing strategies across multiple sales channels.4% of time
- Assist in setting up or optimizing analytics tools for tracking visitors' behaviors.4% of time
- Propose online or multiple-sales-channel campaigns to marketing executives.2% of time
- Communicate and collaborate with merchants, Webmasters, bloggers, or online editors to strategically place hyperlinks.2% of time
- Evaluate new emerging media or technologies and make recommendations for their application within Internet marketing or search marketing campaigns.2% of time
- 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.1% of time
- Implement online customer service processes to ensure positive and consistent user experiences.1% of time
- Identify, evaluate, or procure hardware or software for implementing online marketing campaigns.1% of time
- Define product requirements, based on market research analysis, in collaboration with user interface design and engineering staff.1% of time
- Assist in the evaluation or negotiation of contracts with vendors or online partners.1% of time
- Prepare electronic commerce designs or prototypes, such as storyboards, mock-ups, or other content, using graphics design software.1% of time
- Identify and develop commercial or technical specifications, such as usability, pricing, checkout, or data security, to promote transactional internet-enabled commerce functionality.1% of time
- Conduct financial modeling for online marketing programs or Web site revenue forecasting.1% of time
- Execute and manage communications with digital journalists or bloggers.1% of time
- Execute or manage banner, video, or other non-text link ad campaigns.1% of time
- Resolve product availability problems in collaboration with customer service staff.under 1% of time
- Assist in the development of online transaction or security policies.under 1% of time
Still needs a person0 · 0% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Every task in this job is touched by AI or robots in some way.
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. People in this job already use it heavily. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.
What to do next
- Do the 16 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 20 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
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