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SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Dmitry Diment Dmitry Diment New York, United States Last Updated: October 2024 NAICS OD4523

Revenue

$102.2bn

2024

$102.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

608k

Businesses

305k

Wages

$XX.Xbn

SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry analysis

The SEO and Internet Marketing Consultants industry has seen significant expansion, driven by its critical role in advising on online advertising strategies in today's digital economy. Businesses have reaped the benefits of increased corporate profit, higher total advertising expenditures and surging e-commerce sales. As retailers increasingly adopt an omnichannel sales approach, they rely heavily on SEO and display advertising to boost revenue. According to the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB), total Internet advertising revenue reached $225.0 billion in 2024, reflecting the vast growth of digital advertising. These trends have propelled the industry forward, with revenue projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.2% over the five years to 2024, totaling $102.2 billion. In 2024 alone, the industry is expected to expand 13.9%.

The advertising industry is in a constant state of evolution. Over the past decades, it has shifted dramatically from print advertising to digital advertising, encompassing internet marketing and digital display advertising. This shift is primarily driven by changing consumer behavior, with most individuals now accessing content through smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers. As consumer habits evolve, advertisers naturally follow suit. The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified this trend as businesses urgently sought to enhance their online presence in response to the surge in e-commerce sales and the growing reliance on online services. This influx of new companies has intensified competition, but steady demand has raised profit.

The industry is poised for continued expansion, fueled by rising digital ad spending, increased e-commerce activity and advancements in analytics tools. Businesses are allocating more resources to enhance their online presence, gain deeper insights into consumer behavior and optimize ad performance. The ongoing shift towards digital channels and data-driven marketing strategies will sustain demand for expert consultation and innovative solutions, ensuring the sector's growth. Industry revenue is forecast to rise at a CAGR of 15.5% through the end of 2024 up to 2029, reaching $210.4 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • As consumer preferences shift, advertising spending has naturally adapted to follow. The rise in online advertising revenue has benefited companies by prompting them to seek professional expertise.
  • Services provided include on- and off-page optimization and technical optimization. These service categories are distinct in how they approach methods and strategies for helping a website attract new and repeat consumers.
  • High population densities in the Southeast drive the concentration of marketing firms. Establishments flock to these areas to tap into the abundant customer base needing marketing services.
  • A good reputation is crucial in the competitive market. The abundance of choices makes consumers highly selective about which provider they select for services.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 17.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $102.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Advertising shifts will introduce new cash flows

  • SEO and internet marketing consultants have proliferated as an industry, primarily fueled by a significant shift from traditional TV and print advertising. With the enormous rise in internet traffic and the proliferation of mobile internet connections, businesses increasingly allocate more of their marketing budgets to digital channels.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

New advertising potential that can expand growth

  • Digital advertising has been a disruptive force since its founding in the early 2000s, bringing change and power shifts in traditional advertising. Companies stand to gain significantly from emerging digital advertising trends. These include viral marketing, influencer strategies, utilization of data-driven solutions and incorporation of artificial intelligence for enhanced customer targeting.

Biggest companies in the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Banner display advertisements and Video advertisements. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the largest segment of the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US.

Trends and Insights

Search Engine Optimization enhances rankings

  • SEO involves a consultant addressing various aspects of a company's website to improve its ranking in search engine results. This service encompasses on-page elements like content and metadata and off-page factors such as backlinks and social signals to enhance online visibility and drive organic traffic.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry provides internet marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) consultancy services. SEO and internet marketing consultants provide expert advice and assistance in the fields of website search, internet display and user functionality, social media development and integration and internet campaigns.

What's included in this industry?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)Digital display advertisingMarketing research and strategy

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO)INDEXCRAWLERBACKLINKSKEYWORD DENSITYBANNER DISPLAY

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 54161 - SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

As consumer preferences shift, advertising spending has naturally adapted to follow. The rise in online advertising revenue has benefited companies by prompting them to seek ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Services provided include on- and off-page optimization and technical optimization. These service categories are distinct in how they approach methods and strategies for help...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

High population densities in the Southeast drive the concentration of marketing firms. Establishments flock to these areas to tap into the abundant customer base needing mark...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

A good reputation is crucial in the competitive market. The abundance of choices makes consumers highly selective about which provider they select for services.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Expertise in best practices and system improvements sets SEO and Internet marketing consultants apart. Predominantly, small, non-employing operators thrive by targeting and e...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Compliance with FTC guidelines is essential for the industry. Such policies safeguard consumer interests and business integrity, maintaining the internet's viability as a tru...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Rising competition has pressured profit, although it remains robust. New companies entering the market offer lower prices to attract customers, reducing overall margins acros...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States is $102.2bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 305k businesses in the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 23.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 17.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US in United States include?

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Digital display advertising are part of the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry.

    How competitive is the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and increasing in the SEO & Internet Marketing Consultants in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Management Consulting in the US
    • Advertising Agencies in the US
    • Public Relations Firms in the US
    • Media Representative Firms in the US

    Complementors

    • There are no industries to display.

    International industries

    • Global Management Consultants
    • IT Consulting in Canada
    • Public Relations Services in Australia
    • Advertising and Market Research Services in New Zealand
    • Management Consultants in the UK

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.