Ways to Tell if Your SEO Marketing is Working

Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most vital components of any digital marketing strategy. But after pouring time and resources into SEO efforts, how can you tell if it’s paying off? Knowing what metrics to focus on and what trends to look out for will help determine if your strategies are delivering results. Monitoring progress isn’t just crucial for identifying success—it’s equally valuable in spotting areas for improvement.

This post will walk you through the key indicators that signal your SEO marketing is performing well, as well as some tips on how to optimize your efforts further.

What Does SEO Success Look Like?

SEO success varies depending on your goals. For a business owner focusing on e-commerce, success might involve an increase in organic sales. For a content creator, it might mean higher engagement rates on blog posts. Regardless of your objectives, some fundamental metrics reveal whether your SEO strategies are working effectively.

1. Increased Organic Website Traffic

One of the best ways to measure your SEO success is through organic traffic—the number of visitors reaching your website through non-paid search engine results. If your website traffic is consistently growing over time, it's a clear sign your SEO efforts are driving people to your site.

How to Track It

Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor changes in organic traffic.
Look at traffic trends over weeks, months, and even years to spot growth.
Segment your audience to understand where traffic is coming from (geography, device, etc.).

Tip: If you notice a sudden increase in traffic, align it with recent changes you made to your website or content—this can help identify effective strategies.

2. Higher Keyword Rankings

Keyword rankings are a foundational aspect of SEO. If your web pages start to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) for your targeted keywords, that’s proof your SEO is paying off.

How to Track It

Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz to check keyword rankings.
Monitor which keywords are climbing the ranks and focus on optimizing content around them.
Check for long-tail keyword optimization—these are often easier to rank for and can generate highly targeted traffic.

Tip: Don’t just aim for more keywords—focus on ranking for the right keywords that align with your business and audience.

3. Better Conversion Rates

Traffic is important, but conversions are key. Whether it’s a signup, a sale, or filling out a contact form, higher conversion rates indicate that your SEO efforts are not only bringing visitors but also the right visitors.

How to Track It

Set up conversion tracking in tools like Google Analytics.
Track actions like purchases, subscriptions, or lead form completions.
Compare the conversion rates of organic search traffic with other sources, like paid ads or social media.

Tip: Consider using A/B testing to optimize elements like landing pages, calls-to-action (CTAs), and forms to improve conversions further.

4. Declining Bounce Rates

A high bounce rate (the percentage of visitors leaving after viewing just one page) can indicate that users aren’t finding what they’re looking for on your site—or your pages aren’t engaging enough. A declining bounce rate is a strong sign that your content is improving and better aligned with user intent.

How to Track It

Google Analytics provides insights into your site's bounce rate. Analyze bounce rates for individual pages to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Focus on pages that drive the most traffic—these should give visitors clear value and logical pathways to keep exploring.

Tip: Improve your internal linking structure to encourage visitors to explore related content without leaving your site.

5. Longer Average Session Durations

When visitors hang around your website longer, it usually means they’ve found the content valuable and engaging. Session duration measures the amount of time users spend on your site in a single visit.

How to Track It

Google Analytics reports on average session duration by user type, channel, and page.
Identify pages with short session durations and optimize the content, design, or layout to make them more appealing.

Tip: Use multimedia elements like videos or interactive content to keep users engaged longer.

6. Growing Backlink Profile

Backlinks—when other websites link to your content—are a major ranking factor for SEO. High-quality backlinks signal to search engines that your site is authoritative and trustworthy.

How to Track It

Tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush can track your backlink profile over time.
Monitor not just the number but also the quality of links to your site.
Look for links from authoritative websites within your niche.

Tip: Actively develop a link-building strategy by creating shareable content, collaborating with other businesses, or engaging in guest blogging.

7. Improved Domain Authority

Domain Authority (DA) is a metric created by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank in search engine results. While not a direct Google ranking factor, increases in DA are a good indicator of a solid SEO strategy.

How to Track It

Use Moz, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to monitor shifts in your Domain Authority score.
Compare your DA to competitors in your industry to measure how you stack up.

Tip: Building a strong backlink profile, optimizing on-page SEO, and publishing quality content can all help improve DA.

8. Higher Click-Through Rates (CTR)

Your CTR measures the number of users who click on your website in search engine results compared to the number of times it appears. A strong CTR shows that your titles, meta descriptions, and content are resonating with searchers.

How to Track It

Use Google Search Console to analyze click-through rates for individual pages and keywords.
Experiment with meta title and description optimizations to improve CTR.

Tip: Include action-oriented language and keywords in your meta titles and descriptions to make them compelling.

9. Positive User Feedback

Feedback from customers, whether through reviews, surveys, or direct communication, can provide invaluable insights into how well your SEO strategy is resonating. If your users remark on your website's ease of use, quality of information, or overall experience, it reflects well on your SEO efforts.

Tip: Use tools like Google Reviews or other customer feedback platforms to constantly improve.

10. Revenue Growth from Organic Traffic

Ultimately, the biggest indicator that your SEO is working is the impact on your bottom line. Growth in sales or lead generation directly attributable to organic traffic is the jackpot every business aims for.

How to Track It

Use Google Analytics attribution reports to see how much revenue or how many leads are linked to organic search.
Compare month-over-month and year-over-year growth to track consistent improvements.

Tip: Align your SEO goals with your overall sales strategy to maximize the ROI of your efforts.

When to Seek Professional SEO Help

If you're not seeing these positive signs—or if measuring them seems overwhelming—it might be time to consult professionals. SEO is a constantly evolving field, and staying updated with trends and algorithms can be challenging.

At REK Marketing & Design, we specialize in helping businesses like yours drive measurable results with proven SEO strategies. Whether you’re looking for a strategy overhaul, fresh keyword research, or technical support, we have the tools, expertise, and passion to help you optimize your digital presence.

Contact REK Marketing & Design Today

Still wondering if your SEO marketing is delivering results? Don’t leave your success up to chance. Our experts are here to analyze your current strategy and provide tailored solutions to help you thrive.

Contact REK Marketing & Design today for professional and reliable SEO support. Together, we’ll take your business to the next level.