Google’s John Mueller offers advice on verifying the performance of your SEO company:

• Schedule regular meetings with your SEO agency.
• Request progress reports and discuss upcoming strategies.

Mueller shared these tips during Google’s SEO office-hours Q&A.

The Business Owner’s Question

The discussion began with a business owner’s query:

“If I have an agency managing our organic SEO every month, how can I determine if they’re doing the work? I suspect they haven’t made any optimizations for years.”

Google’s Response

In reply, John Mueller, a Google Search Relations team member, shared his experience working with an agency on Google’s Search Central content.

Key Points from Mueller’s Advice:

• Regular Meetings: Schedule frequent discussions with the SEO agency to review their work.
• Progress Reports: Request detailed reports that show the site’s progress over time.
• Future Planning: Discuss upcoming work to ensure the agency addresses your needs.
• Client Education: Have a basic understanding of SEO to assess the agency’s efforts better.

Mueller acknowledges that increased engagement requires more time from both parties but believes it’s worthwhile. This approach helps you verify if the SEO agency is meeting your needs, though it’s essential to maintain trust in relationship with the agency.

Resources For SEO Education

To help businesses manage their SEO efforts, Mueller recommended two valuable resources:

• Google’s guide on hiring an SEO provides insights into the selection process.
• The SEO Starter Guide offers a foundational understanding of SEO principles.

Previous Discussions On SEO Hiring

Mueller’s recent advice reflects a discussion he led last year, where he explored what businesses should consider when hiring SEO consultants.

Industry experts emphasized crucial factors like experience, customization, transparency, and adherence to ethical practices.

For further insights on selecting the right SEO professional, check out our previous coverage of that discussion.

When To Seek Professional SEO Help

If you’re unsure about when to hire an SEO expert, this article outlines five critical situations that signal the need for professional SEO assistance:

• When Google isn’t indexing your site
• During site migrations or redesigns
• When there’s a significant drop in organic traffic
• To reverse manual actions
• When current SEO strategies aren’t delivering results

This guidance complements Mueller’s advice by helping businesses identify when professional intervention is necessary. If you still find it difficult and confusing, consider exploring our monthly SEO packages and let the experts assist you.