Last Updated on January 16, 2023 by SERP Kingz
Humans and non-humans, buckle up for the next few years, because we’re in for one wild ride.
The digital marketing game is about to get real interesting, by golly. And by interesting, I mean the robots are finally taking over and we’re all gonna be out of our jobs. But, you know, in a good way.
Let me explain…
The game has changed—in our favor—and it’s all thanks to every marketer’s new BFF, Artificial Intelligence.
As AI technology continues to advance, we’re seeing a shift in the focus of humans at digital marketing agencies.
SEO managers have traditionally played a wide range of technical and content roles. But moving forward, the future of SEO management is all about analysis and strategy. Oh, the humanity!
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SEO: Rise of the Machines
Why the shift? It’s simple. AI can now handle the technical and content side of things better than a human ever could.
It can process data faster, identify patterns, and make decisions based on that data with a level of accuracy that’s just not “humanly possible.” And while this might seem intimidating, it’s actually an amazing opportunity for us.
Forget about the mundane tasks that have traditionally eaten up our time. From here on out, it’s going to be about leveraging AI technology to our advantage.
We can use AI to analyze and optimize campaigns faster than ever before, giving us more time to focus on the big picture.
In other words, being freed up from the more time-consuming, technical tasks of SEO management means more time to do what we really love: creating and testing new strategies, brainstorming ideas, and exploring the cutting edge of search.
More time to think strategically about how we can get results for our clients, and more time to be creative and innovative.
And that’s what humanity really needs to go toe-to-toe with AI: creativity and innovation.
Leveraging AI for Efficiency and Humanity for Strategy
It’s natural to be a little apprehensive about the role of AI in SEO, just like how John Henry, the steel-driving man, might have felt when he first heard about the steam drill.
But just as the steam drill never replaced humans—not yet, anyway—AI won’t replace SEO managers. Instead, it will augment their abilities and allow them to focus on the aspects of their job that require a human touch, like analysis and strategy.
Just like John Henry, who ultimately lost the race but was recognized as the superior worker, SEO specialists will be able to use AI to enhance their abilities, bringing even more value to their clients.
So don’t worry—AI doesn’t mean that SEO managers are becoming obsolete.
Far from it.
As AI takes over more of the technical and content side of things, SEO managers will have more time to focus on the bigger picture.
They’ll be able to analyze data, identify trends, and come up with strategies that will take their clients “to the next level.” (A turn of phrase that AI simply isn’t capable of producing, no matter how hard it tries.)
Think of it like this: AI is the worker bee, tirelessly collecting and going through data and making decisions based on that data. The human SEO manager is the queen bee, overseeing and controlling the worker bees, and making “big picture” strategic decisions based on the data they’ve collected. (You know, like a bee.)
If it weren’t for the human in the equation, the AI would just be collecting data and making decisions without any purpose or direction.
The human provides the overarching strategy and goals, while the AI is able to quickly process, analyze, and act based on large amounts of data, streamlining time-consuming tasks.
Imagine if doctors thought they were going to be out of a job because they invented machines that could measure vital signs. Or a chef getting worried that they’re going to be out of a job because someone invented the kitchen scale.
These advancements simply allow for greater efficiency and accuracy—but they do not eliminate the demand for expertise and skill.
The machines that measure vital signs assist doctors in monitoring patients’ health, but they don’t replace the doctor’s medical expertise, diagnostic skills, and ability to treat and heal their patients. The scale is a tool that helps the chef to measure ingredients more accurately and efficiently, but it doesn’t replace the chef’s knowledge, creativity and ability to cook a delicious meal.
AI is changing the game, but it’s not replacing the human touch. SEO managers will have more time to focus on strategy. The robots are doing the boring stuff so we can be more creative and focus on the bigger picture.
(Even if that picture is sometimes still a glitchy, distorted hodgepodge of floating appendages and canine faces that would give David Cronenberg nightmares.)
The Human Touch in SEO: Balancing AI and Emotion
Let’s not forget that AI is still a machine, and it can’t replace the human touch. It’s important to remember that while AI can handle much of the technical and even some of the content side of things, it can’t create the emotional connection with the audience that a human can.
(At least, not for a couple more decades.)
Remember what the Information Superhighway was like in 1993? That’s kind of where AI is now.
Who knows what it’ll look like in 10 years? 20? 30? 100?
So, humans, non-humans, and cyborgs: Welcome to the beginning of the future of SEO, where artificial and human intelligence work together in perfect harmony. It’s time to get ready to enter a new era of digital marketing.
I, for one, welcome our new AI overlords—er, assistants. We’re finally getting back some of the time that machines have been taking away from us for the last couple decades. And hell, it’s about time. Let’s make the most of it.
Embrace the change and let’s see where this new adventure takes us.
