Not to do a Hello, for those of you that don’t know me… intro, but hello. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Alicia – one of the Content Writers at Targeted SEO.
My job is to write blogs, web pages, and any other pieces of content that support SEO strategies.
It’s hard graft. But I love putting words on paper (or, in this case, on a computer).
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (12th – 18th May 2025). And as someone who works in the digital industry, I have become more aware of how technology can affect our minds and health.
‘Techno-stress’ as Anthony Mangiacotti referred to it during his talk at this year’s BrightonSEO conference.
Techno-stress is a result of always being switched on. It can look like: constantly checking emails, endless scrolling through social media, working with computers and technology all day every day, and striving to keep up with the latest trends.
Having worked in the digital industry for around 5 years and trained for 4 years prior to that, I am starting to realise that mental health and SEO need to be brought into the same conversation.
What it’s really like working in an SEO environment
From a content perspective, the SEO industry can be fun, inspiring, and creative. It allows me to write content for a range of topics and be inventive in how I optimise it for Google. I get to work with creative minds and develop my skills across different areas of SEO and marketing.
On the whole, SEO is a pretty cool industry.
But with innovation comes the need to stay switched on.
Algorithm updates, increasing competition, new technologies, AI… the list goes on. We’re a savvy bunch, always sharing the latest news in search and striving hard to make sure we offer the best service possible.
Working in SEO is exciting.
Every day brings a new opportunity. But it’s equally important to be aware of the challenges that come with being around technology every day.
Mental health themes relevant to SEO roles:
Imposter syndrome
Feeling like you aren’t qualified enough, despite your skills and achievements. Imposter syndrome is common in fast-changing industries like SEO, where no one knows everything.
Perfectionism
The pressure to get it just right. You may find you’re constantly criticising yourself, working extra hours, or missing deadlines to get the job done perfectly (remember, perfect doesn’t exist, especially in SEO).
Decision fatigue
Mental exhaustion from constantly making decisions. As humans, we make around 35,000 decisions per day! In SEO, decision fatigue can come from questioning which tools to use, which email to reply to, how to reply, what strategies to use, which topic to write about… It’s constant. But it’s common to feel overwhelmed.
Lack of boundaries
Whether personal (telling yourself you will take a break but not sticking to it) or at work (feeling pressured to get it all done, even if that means working overtime). SEO is an ongoing process; there’s always something to do. It’s easy for work to spill into evenings, weekends, and personal time. But over time, this leads to burnout or frustration.
Techno-stress
Stress from being overexposed to technology. Using multiple tools for work, prolonged screen time, managing multiple platforms or websites, social media, television, and the internet.
Burnout
Emotional exhaustion, reduced productivity, and less enthusiasm for work. Burnout is usually the result of prolonged stress without proper recovery. A demanding job and a busy home life make it difficult to find the time to manage and recover from stress.
Loneliness
Especially in remote work. Human connection is crucial for our mental well-being. SEO professionals or small business owners doing their own SEO may feel disconnected and isolated from their peers.
Digital pollution anxiety
Feeling stressed or worried about the environmental impact of digital activities. It’s more broadly referred to as eco-anxiety, but for SEOs and digital marketers, it can come from anxiety or guilt about contributing to the digital carbon footprint.
Becoming a Mental Health Ambassador for Targeted SEO
Last summer, when the opportunity came about to complete a Mental Health First Aid and Advocacy in the Workplace course, I was keen to volunteer.
Becoming a Mental Health Ambassador for the Targeted team was an easy yes.
The coursework was tough (especially when the sun was shining), but it was worth it. I learnt the foundations of what it means to create a mentally healthy workplace where employees can thrive, as well as core steps on how to support people who are struggling at work.
I have since shared my knowledge and advice with my colleagues and am actively looking for ways to reduce the stress and anxiety related to technology in everyday life.
Tips for protecting your mental health in the SEO industry
Whether you’re an SEO consultant, copywriter, digital marketer, or simply trying to do SEO for your own website, it can be overwhelming. But you’re not alone.
1 in 4 people experience some form of mental health problem each year. While there isn’t a lot of information out there about how it shows up in digital industries, it’s clear that we need to be open to talking about mental health and find ways to support it.
Putting your mental health first is often easier said than done.
Here are some tips for taking care of your mental health when working in SEO:
- Celebrate the progress, not just the results
- Block time for deep work, but remember to take breaks
- Set realistic expectations (SEO is a marathon, not a sprint)
- Try journaling, it can help to get the thought out of your head and onto paper
- Get outside and connect with nature, a short walk or run can do wonders for the mind
- Steer clear of technology outside of work (or at work if you’re an avid scroller) if you are able to do so
- Talk to your team, or if you’re a one-person band struggling to do your own SEO, enlist the professionals (that’s us!)
- And remember, not every thought is fact (this came from a recent team-building workshop we did)
Let’s talk
SEO is a rewarding but demanding space, and taking care of your mental health should be top priority. Sometimes, finding what works for you means testing out a few things first.
Personally, I find that a combination of getting out in the fresh air and using mental health tools (like the Balance App, Finch App, or Headspace) helps me recenter and actually improves my focus.
And if SEO is causing more stress than success, we’re here to help. We have a team of experts, each with their own areas of expertise.
Contact us for a friendly chat about how we can help with SEO.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Help is available. While this blog shares tips from my experience in the digital space, it’s not a substitute for professional mental health advice or care.
For support, you can reach out to:
Mind – Mental health charity offering advice and support
Mental Health Foundation – Information and resources about mental well-being
Samaritans – 24/7 free, confidential support (call 116 123)
We also offer SEO for mental healthcare providers which you can learn more about on our website.
