Are you preparing for an SEO interview in 2025? Whether you’re a beginner in the digital marketing world or someone with hands-on experience, this blog is crafted just for you. These are not your usual textbook questions — they are real SEO interview questions that I personally encountered during my interviews and throughout my SEO learning journey.
So, whether you’re preparing for your next SEO interview or just brushing up on important concepts, here are the top SEO interview questions and answers in 2025 — fully explained to help you crack any SEO role with confidence.
SEO Interview Questions in 2025
Junior Level (Beginner SEO Roles / Internships)
1. What are Meta Tags?
Meta tags are HTML tags that provide information about a web page to search engines and users.
- Title Tag: Displays the clickable title on search engines.
- Meta Description: Provides a brief description of the page.
- Meta Robots Tag: Tells bots whether to index/follow a page.
Proper use of meta tags improves CTR, helps search engines understand content, and boosts SEO rankings.
2. What is a Robots.txt file and Sitemap?
A Robots.txt file is a text file placed in the root directory of your website that tells search engine crawlers which pages or sections of your site they are allowed or not allowed to crawl. It’s mainly used to manage crawler traffic or prevent indexing of duplicate or sensitive pages (like admin panels or test pages).
A Sitemap, on the other hand, is a file (usually in XML format) that provides a roadmap of all the important URLs on your site. It helps search engines understand the structure of your site and index pages more efficiently. You can submit sitemaps via Google Search Console.
Example:
- txt URL: yourdomain.com/robots.txt
- Sitemap URL: yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml
3. What is DA and PA, and what should be their ideal scores?
DA (Domain Authority) and PA (Page Authority) are SEO metrics developed by Moz to predict how well a website or a specific page will rank on search engine results pages (SERPs).
- DA reflects the overall domain strength, ranging from 1 to 100.
- PA reflects the strength of an individual page on that domain.
Ideal Scores:
- A DA of 40+ is considered good for mid-tier websites.
- A DA of 60+ is excellent for authority websites.
- New websites will naturally have low DA, so focus on quality backlinks and content to grow it.
4. Which platform should be used to check DA, PA, and spam score?
These Platforms are best to check DA, PA and Spam Score of a website :
- Moz Link Explorer: Best for checking DA, PA, and spam score.
- Ahrefs: For URL rating (UR), domain rating (DR), and backlink profiles.
- Small SEO Tools / PrePost SEO: Free options for a quick check.
5. Which tools do you use for site auditing?
Top tools I use:
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider – Comprehensive technical audits.
- Semrush Site Audit Tool – Excellent for beginner to advanced users.
- Ahrefs Site Audit – Detailed issues with suggestions.
- Google Search Console – Detects indexing, mobile usability, and coverage issues.
- PageSpeed Insights & GTMetrix – To audit performance and speed.
6. What are the different kinds of keywords?
There are several types of keywords used in SEO based on user intent and structure:
- Short-tail Keywords – Broad, 1-2 word terms (e.g., “shoes”)
- Long-tail Keywords – Specific, 3+ words (e.g., “best running shoes for women”)
- LSI Keywords – Related keywords that support main content (e.g., if the main keyword is “SEO,” LSI could be “search engine optimization,” “Google ranking,” etc.)
- Transactional Keywords – Intent to buy (e.g., “buy iPhone 15 online”)
- Informational Keywords – Intent to learn (e.g., “how to bake a cake”)
- Navigational Keywords – Intent to find a specific brand/site (e.g., “Instagram login”)
Branded vs. Non-Branded Keywords – (e.g., “Nike shoes” vs. “running shoes”)
7. What is the difference between keyword stuffing and keyword density?
- Keyword Stuffing refers to overloading a web page with a keyword or phrase in an attempt to manipulate a site’s ranking in search results. This is a black-hat SEO tactic and can lead to Google penalties.
- Keyword Density is the percentage of times a keyword appears on a page compared to the total word count. It’s a normal part of SEO as long as it’s done naturally and doesn’t disrupt user experience. A healthy keyword density is generally between 1% to 2%.
In short:
Keyword stuffing = spammy and penalized
Keyword density = strategic and user-friendly
Mid Level (SEO Executive / Specialist Roles)
8. What is E-E-A-T?
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness — it’s a key part of Google’s content quality guidelines.
- Experience: Content created by someone with real-world experience.
- Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge in the subject area.
- Authoritativeness: Backed by a credible reputation in the field.
- Trustworthiness: Secure site, accurate content, transparent authorship.
Google uses E-E-A-T to assess the credibility of content, especially in YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) niches like health, finance, and legal topics.
9. What is AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) focuses on optimizing content not just for traditional search, but to directly answer user questions.
- It aims to get featured in voice search, featured snippets, or other AI-driven answer engines.
- Strategies include: creating concise, factual answers; using headings with questions; and leveraging schema markup.
10. What are the top ranking factors in SEO in 2025?
As of 2025, Google continues to focus on user intent, content quality, and website experience. The top ranking factors include:
- High-quality, original content
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
- Mobile-first indexing and responsive design
- Page speed & Core Web Vitals
- Relevant keyword optimization (not stuffing!)
- Backlink profile – high-quality, relevant, do-follow links
- User engagement metrics – bounce rate, time on site, CTR
- Structured data/schema markup
- Voice search & semantic SEO optimization
- Technical SEO health – secure (HTTPS), no broken links, proper crawlability
11. How do you optimize a website for Google’s voice search update?
Voice search optimization involves optimizing your content to match natural, conversational queries.
- Use long-tail keywords and question-based phrases (e.g., “How do I…?” or “What is the best…?”)
- Ensure your website loads fast and is mobile-friendly.
- Use structured data (Schema markup) to help search engines understand your content.
- Create a dedicated FAQ section to directly answer common voice queries.
12. What are the latest SEO updates in 2025?
Some notable 2025 SEO trends and updates include:
- Greater focus on E-E-A-T and Helpful Content System.
- AI-generated content detection improvements by Google.
- Enhanced importance of user signals like click-through rate (CTR), time on site, bounce rate.
- Voice Search and AEO
- Algorithm updates targeting thin, irrelevant, or over-optimized content.
13. How do you perform keyword research?
- Start with seed keywords relevant to the business.
- Use tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest.
- Look at:
- Monthly search volume
- Keyword difficulty (KD)
- CPC (for commercial intent)
- User search intent (informational, navigational, transactional)
- Spy on competitors using Ahrefs or Semrush.
- Finalize a mix of short-tail, long-tail, and LSI keywords.
14. Which type of backlinks should be used — do-follow or no-follow, and why?
- Do-Follow Links pass link juice and help in improving your website’s authority and rankings.
- No-Follow Links do not pass link juice but are still useful for referral traffic and link diversity.
Use a mix, but prioritize do-follow backlinks from high-authority, niche-relevant sites for ranking purposes.
15. What is your off-page SEO strategy to increase domain authority?
- High-quality guest posting on relevant blogs.
- Broken link building
- Create link-worthy content like infographics, stats, and tools.
- Submit to business directories.
- Engage on forums and Q&A platforms like Quora and Reddit.
16. How would you bring organic traffic to a website?
- Keyword-targeted blog content
- On-page SEO for all landing pages
- Optimize for featured snippets and voice search
- Use social media to amplify content
- Earn quality backlinks
- Improve CTR with better titles & descriptions
17. How would you do Local SEO optimization?
- Optimize Google Business Profile (GMB) with correct NAP.
- Add location-specific keywords to your website.
- Get listed on local directories and citations (Justdial, Sulekha, etc.).
- Use local schema markup.
- Encourage customer reviews on Google and other platforms.
Executive Level (SEO Manager / Strategist Roles)
18. How do you create an SEO strategy for a new client’s website, and how much time does it take to rank?
Strategy Steps:
- Understand the business goals, target audience, and niche.
- Conduct complete website audit.
- Perform keyword and competitor research.
- Optimize technical SEO and create a content calendar.
- Start building backlinks and tracking performance.
Ranking Time:
It usually takes 3–6 months to see noticeable SEO results, depending on competition and niche.
19. How do you do SEO for an e-commerce website?
- Technical SEO: Optimize site architecture, speed, mobile usability, and structured product data.
- On-Page SEO: Unique product descriptions, optimized title tags, meta descriptions, and schema.
- Content Marketing: Blog articles, buying guides, and FAQs.
- Internal Linking: Cross-link related products and categories.
- Backlinking: Digital PR, influencer mentions, guest posts.
20. How do you do SEO for a Shopify website?
- Use Shopify SEO apps like Plug In SEO or Smart SEO.
- Optimize product titles, meta descriptions, and images.
- Use canonical tags to avoid duplicate content.
- Build internal linking between product and category pages.
- Submit sitemap.xml in Google Search Console.
- Focus on loading speed and mobile optimization.
21. How do you track SEO performance?
Tools:
- Google Analytics (GA4): For traffic, user behavior, and conversions.
- Google Search Console: For keyword ranking, indexing issues, CTR.
- Ahrefs/Semrush: For backlinks, keyword movement, technical issues.
Track:
- Organic sessions
- Goal completions
- Keyword rankings
- Bounce rate
- Backlink growth
- Technical health score
22. What metrics are important when creating reports in Google Analytics?
- Organic Traffic (Sessions, Users)
- Bounce Rate
- Session Duration
- Pages Per Session
- Top Landing Pages
- Conversions / Goal Completions
- Traffic Source / Medium
Use GA4 to create custom reports and track events like clicks, form submissions, or purchases.
23. How can a website recover from a Google penalty?
- Identify the penalty type: Manual or Algorithmic.
- Use GSC to find any manual actions.
- Remove spammy backlinks or disavow them.
- Fix thin/duplicate/over-optimized content.
- Submit reconsideration request (manual penalty).
- Focus on high-quality content & better user experience.
Pro Tips to Crack SEO Interviews
Landing an SEO job in 2025 isn’t just about having the right answers — it’s about demonstrating practical knowledge, confidence, and strategic thinking. Whether you’re applying for an internship or an SEO executive role, these pro tips will help you stand out in your interview:
1. Know the Basics Thoroughly
Before diving into tools or analytics, make sure your fundamentals are strong. Be crystal clear about:
What SEO is and how it works
Types of SEO (On-page, Off-page, Technical)
Meta tags, heading tags, keyword research, and link building
Tip: Be ready to explain basic terms with real examples, not just definitions.
2. Stay Updated with the Latest SEO Trends
SEO changes fast! Interviewers love candidates who are aware of:
Google’s recent algorithm updates
Concepts like E-E-A-T, Voice SEO, Core Web Vitals, AEO
The shift from keywords to search intent
Tip: Refer to trusted SEO blogs like Search Engine Journal, Backlinko, and Google Search Central before your interview.
3. Showcase Practical Experience
If you’ve worked on a website (personal, client, or internship), talk about:
What SEO strategies you implemented
Any increase in traffic, ranking, or engagement
Tools you used (like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest, GSC, GA4)
Tip: Even if the results weren’t perfect, show your process and learning.
4. Use Real Scenarios in Your Answers
Don’t just say “I do keyword research” — show how you do it. For example:
“I begin with Ubersuggest to identify long-tail keywords and check volume, then compare with competitors using SEMrush.”
Tip: Speak as if you’re solving a problem — not just repeating theory.
5. Prepare for Situational Questions
You might be asked things like:
“What would you do if traffic suddenly dropped?”
“How would you improve the SEO of a slow-loading website?”
Tip: Use the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer these.
6. Show Your Passion for SEO
SEO isn’t just a skill — it’s a mindset. Let the interviewer feel your interest:
Mention blogs you follow, YouTubers you watch (like Neil Patel or Brian Dean)
Talk about any SEO experiments or content you’ve worked on
Tip: Passion + curiosity = the biggest green flag for employers.
FAQs
What’s the best way to learn SEO practically?
Start your own blog, practice using tools, intern in an agency, or take live projects.
How should I prepare for an SEO interview?
Start by reviewing SEO basics, practice with tools like Search Console, learn how to audit websites, stay updated with Google updates, and prepare to discuss your past SEO projects or internship experiences.
What is the future of SEO as a career?
SEO has a bright future with growing digital demand. It continues to evolve with AI, voice search, mobile-first indexing, and user intent. SEO experts are in demand across startups, agencies, and big brands.
What is the average salary of an SEO Executive in India (2025)?
As of 2025, entry-level SEO Executives in India typically earn between ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month. With experience and results, this can grow rapidly into managerial roles.
Can I become an SEO expert without a degree?
Yes! Many SEO professionals are self-taught through online courses, internships, and hands-on practice. Skills and results matter more than formal degrees in this field.
Conclusion
Mastering these SEO interview questions and understanding the latest SEO questions and answers in 2025 can significantly boost your confidence and preparation level. SEO is evolving, and staying updated is the key to standing out in interviews.
Keep practicing, keep optimizing, and all the best for your next SEO job interview!