Training:
55% offer only basic SEO training to editorial teams.
27% provide regular workshops, and 14% offer advanced training.
Buy-In:
45% say editorial teams actively follow SEO recommendations.
52% report partial buy-in, while 3% say editorial teams ignore SEO advice.
Involvement:
64% of SEOs are involved in daily editorial operations.
22% focus on major events or tentpole content.
Publishers with tightly aligned SEO and editorial teams are more likely to see success in implementing SEO recommendations, especially during high-stakes events like breaking news.
Watch also: How To Use AI To Enhance Your SEO & Create Better Content
What’s Next for 2025?
Looking ahead, News SEO professionals are focusing on:
Google Discover: Technical and creative strategies to maximize traffic.
AI Adaptation: Staying ahead of AI-driven search changes.
Diversification: Reducing reliance on traditional search traffic.
Cross-Team Collaboration: Aligning editorial, product, and SEO efforts.
Webinar: AI-Organized SERPs & Overviews: How To Win Visibility In The New Landscape Of SEO
Who Took the Survey?
Participants came from diverse backgrounds, with varying levels of experience and roles:
Experience:
34% have 1–4 years in News SEO, bringing fresh ideas.
29% have 10+ years, offering deep expertise.
37% fall in the 5–10 years range, blending experience with innovation.
Roles:
40% are managers, 31% specialists, 18% directors, and 11% VPs or C-suite execs.
Regions:
38% focus on Europe, 31% on North America, and 31% on other regions (Asia, Latin America, Africa, or multi-regional markets).
Team Types:
83% work in-house, while 17% rely on agencies or freelancers.
In Summary
The 2025 News SEO Survey highlights the need for agility and adaptation to challenges like AI and platform changes.
For news publishers, success in 2025 will come down to having a solid strategy, working together, and being innovative.
Featured Image: Accogliente Design/Shutterstock