Short Answer: To hire an SEO content writer in 2025, you need someone who can do more than write pretty sentences. The best choice blends AI optimization (AEO), entity SEO expertise, traditional SEO fundamentals, and LLM-powered efficiency.

Whether you’re hiring full-time, freelance, or on contract, the winning formula is simple: review their portfolio, ask how they optimize for both humans and AI search engines, and start with a small project before scaling.

Introduction

Hiring an SEO writer in 2025 isn’t a casual decision. The wrong hire means wasted content budgets, rankings that never climb, and blogs no one reads. The right hire? That’s fuel for your digital growth engine.

An SEO content writing expert doesn’t just fill a page with keywords. They create content that ranks, builds authority, and stays visible even as AI-driven search changes the rules. The best writers today know how to combine AEO for Google’s AI Overviews, entity optimization for Knowledge Graph trust, traditional SEO skills like keyword mapping, and LLM efficiency to move faster without losing quality.

This guide walks you step-by-step through how to find, vet, and hire the SEO writer that fits your needs, whether they’re freelance, contract, or full-time.

What Does an SEO Content Writer Do in 2025?

The role of an SEO writer has stretched far beyond writing catchy blog intros. In 2025, here’s what they bring to the table:

• AI Optimization (AEO): Writing content designed to show up inside AI Overviews and generative search results
• Entity SEO: Using structured data and semantic relevance to build lasting authority
• Traditional SEO skills: Keywords, metadata, headers, and internal links still matter, and skilled writers know how to use them without keyword stuffing
• LLM efficiency: Writers who master ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini can cluster keywords, generate outlines, and brainstorm angles at speed, then refine everything with human insight

The deliverables? Blog posts, landing pages, pillar articles, FAQs, and content hubs that both readers and algorithms love.

Skills to Look for in an SEO Content Writer

When you’re ready to hire, don’t settle for “writer.” You want a strategist in disguise. Look for:

• On-page SEO mastery that keeps readability intact
• Knowledge of entities vs. keywords to balance semantic relevance with search demand
• Experience with AEO so your content surfaces in AI-driven search
• Proficiency with LLM tools that improve efficiency without producing cookie-cutter copy
• Content strategy perspective to tie individual posts into authority-building clusters

I made this case in Why Your Next Content Hire Should Be an AI SEO Writer: the future of SEO belongs to writers who can merge creativity with AI optimization.

Where to Find SEO Writers: Freelance, Contract, and Full-Time

The type of hire depends on your business model.

• Freelancers: Great for agility, quick turnarounds, and project-based work
• Contract SEO writers: Perfect if you need steady monthly content but don’t want to commit to payroll
• Full-time writers: The choice for brands ready to scale content long-term and fold SEO expertise into the core team

Where should you look?

• Freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Freelancer for “SEO writers for hire”
• Specialized content platforms with vetted SEO pros
• LinkedIn for candidates open to both freelance and full-time
• Referrals and SEO communities where skilled writers showcase results

Smart tip: pay attention to writers who talk openly about LLM workflows. It’s a sign they’re keeping up with 2025’s pace.

How Much Does an SEO Content Writer Cost in 2025?

Money matters, but think investment, not expense. Here’s what you’ll see:

• Freelancers: $30 to $150+ an hour or $0.10 to $0.50 per word
• Contract writers: Monthly retainers that often range from $1,000 to $5,000+
• Full-time SEO writers: Salaries typically between $45,000 and $85,000 a year, with top strategists commanding more

Expect higher price tags from writers who can prove results with AEO, entity optimization, and efficient LLM workflows.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

A résumé only tells part of the story. In interviews, ask:

• How do you optimize content for AI Overviews?
• How do you balance entities with traditional keywords?
• What’s your process for using LLMs efficiently without losing originality?
• Can you show proof of rankings, traffic, or conversions from past projects?

And don’t skip a paid test project. It’s the best predictor of fit.

Freelance vs. Contract vs. Full-Time SEO Writers

• Freelance writers: perfect for short-term projects or businesses testing SEO waters
• Contract writers: best if you want reliability without long-term hiring overhead
• Full-time hires: right for companies with ongoing, large-scale content needs

The right choice depends on budget, scope, and how fast you need results.

Onboarding and Setting Expectations

Hiring doesn’t stop with “yes.” Once you’ve chosen your writer:

• Create a content brief for SEO writers that includes keywords, entities, and AEO goals
• Share your brand guidelines, target audience, and voice
• Set timelines, revision rounds, and reporting expectations
• Ask how they’ll integrate LLM tools into their workflow responsibly

SEO Writing Trends in 2025

What’s shaping SEO writing this year?

• AI Optimization (AEO): Content tuned to appear inside AI-generated answers
• Entity SEO: Building topical authority and trust through semantic depth
• LLM efficiency: Writers who master AI tools win on speed and quality
• Traditional SEO: Backlinks, metadata, keyword clusters, and schema still matter

For a deeper dive into the evolving landscape, read my blog on What’s New in SEO 2025: Trends and Best Practices.

FAQ: Hiring an SEO Content Writer in 2025

What’s the difference between a freelance, contract, and full-time SEO writer?

Freelancers handle individual projects, contractors work on ongoing retainers, and full-time hires become part of your in-house marketing team.

How much should I pay for SEO writing in 2025?

Freelancers usually charge $30 to $150 per hour or $0.10–$0.50 per word. Full-time salaries typically range from $45,000 to $85,000.

Do good SEO writers actually use AI tools?

Yes. Many use ChatGPT or other LLMs for brainstorming and efficiency, but they always refine and fact-check to keep content accurate and original.

Which skills should matter most when hiring?

Look for writers with a mix of AEO, entity SEO, traditional on-page skills, and LLM efficiency. That combination sets them apart in 2025.

Your Next Step to Hiring the Best SEO Content Writer

Hiring in 2025 is not about picking the cheapest writer or the fastest deliverable. It’s about choosing a professional who can combine AI optimization, entity SEO, traditional know-how, and LLM-powered workflows.

Decide whether you need freelance, contract, or full-time help. Test before committing. And most importantly, choose someone who understands where search is heading, not just where it’s been.

If you’re looking for one of the best SEO content writers for hire in 2025, contact me today. I specialize in blending AI optimization, entity SEO, and traditional strategies with LLM-powered efficiency to create content that ranks, engages, and converts.