Agentic AI Reshapes SEO Jobs Beyond Search Engine Disruption
SEO veteran Duane Forrester explains how Agentic AI is transforming SEO roles, turning professionals into AI team managers and redefining content creation.
SEO pioneer Duane Forrester, a former Microsoft senior program manager who helped launch Bing Webmaster Tools and Schema.org, warns that the biggest threat to SEO isn’t AI replacing search engines—it’s the rise of Agentic AI. In a recent interview, Forrester highlighted how AI agents are quietly reshaping the industry by enabling professionals to work like small agencies.
The Rise of Agentic AI
Forrester predicts that within six months, professionals will routinely delegate tasks to AI agents, freeing up time for higher-value work.
"If I can create a process and the process is largely executed by agents, then the 100% of my time that I can devote can be reapportioned to human-in-the-loop analysis.""
This shift means individuals can manage multiple AI ""virtual team members"" to handle repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on strategy, client acquisition, or execution. However, Forrester emphasizes that people management skills will be critical for success in this new landscape.
Content Creators: From Writers to AI Instructors
Traditional writing roles face automation, but Forrester sees an opportunity for writers to evolve:
""You can tell a dozen agents for a dozen clients to all start and you can get them all started in less than two minutes and then in about 10 minutes have all of the output that you now will go in and edit one by one.""
Experienced writers who adapt will become AI instructors, refining AI-generated content for tone, accuracy, and brand alignment. Paradoxically, the most valuable writers will be those who can effectively manage AI teams.
Strategic Roles Remain Safe
While execution-focused jobs are vulnerable, strategic roles like CMOs are safer because they require experience-based decision-making that AI can’t replicate. Forrester notes:
""It’s going to be harder to replace that level of experience because the system doesn’t have the experience.""
Preparing for the Future
Forrester urges companies to update job descriptions and invest in training to prepare for AI integration. The key to thriving in this new era is embracing AI as a productivity multiplier, not fearing it as a replacement.
Watch the Full Interview
For more insights, follow Duane Forrester’s work at Duane Forrester Decodes and Search Engine Journal.
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About the Author
David Chen
AI Startup Analyst
Senior analyst focusing on AI startup ecosystem with 11 years of venture capital and startup analysis experience. Former member of Sequoia Capital AI investment team, now independent analyst writing AI startup and investment analysis articles for Forbes, Harvard Business Review and other publications.