We all use search engines. How to make a chicken casserole? How to fix a bicycle? What are the symptoms of COVID-19? When you need an answer to some question, search engines spew it out within seconds.
Did you know it’s real human beings who make sure that search engines provide quality matches? These people are known as search engine evaluators, web search evaluators, internet analysts, personal ad evaluators, internet assessors, or search quality raters. All these names refer to a single role: reviewing search results and providing feedback that is later programmed into the search algorithms.
Do you think you have what it takes to become one? If you do, chances are you’ll work from home 100% of the time.
Search engine evaluator responsibilities
As a search engine evaluator, your job is primarily to review online search results and ensure their accuracy, quality, and relevance to the topic explored by the searcher. The responsibilities vary depending on the employer and assignment, but here are the basic duties of a search engine evaluator:
- Analyze web search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo for search results
- Provide feedback to ensure the relevance, accuracy, and usefulness of the search engine
- Provide expert advice on web search and digital search trends
- Offer suggestions for optimizing search results
What it takes to become a search engine evaluator
The best thing about the job is that you don’t need a college degree. If you want to be a search engine evaluator in the U.S, you only need a high school diploma or GED. Other qualifications include the following:
- 1-2 years of relevant experience (preferred but not required)
- Passing the qualifying test
- Knowledge of search engines and web search
- Great research and analytic skills
- Basic familiarity with search engine optimization (preferred)
- Top-notch written and oral communication skills
The job requires multitasking abilities as you’ll work under pressure and have to meet deadlines. You can work from the comfort of your home the entire time, and, more often than not, you get to work on your own time.
Is it worth it?
Working as a search engine evaluator may not make you tons of money, but if you get a full-time job, you may earn $55,000 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. That is approximately $27 an hour. However, if you want to go the freelance route, expect to make between $12 and $15 per hour.
The downside of being a search engine evaluator as an independent contractor is that you don’t get benefits such as health insurance or vacation pay and are responsible for paying all taxes. Moreover, you may not always have a regular job, and if you do, payment is usually made once per month.
Where to look for search engine evaluator jobs?
There are several sites where you can apply.
TELUS International
Jobs on this platform are available to U.S. residents only. The requirements include going through training and passing the qualification exam. The median rate is $25 per hour, and you need to have a smartphone. You can apply here.
Appen
If you want to work for Appen, you must commit 10 hours a week. You have stronger chances if you are bilingual, but you will have to pass a language assessment exam in addition to the search engine evaluator qualifying test.
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Appen pays about $16 an hour, and you get paid monthly, or 30 days after the company receives the invoice you will send each month. If you have 10 hours a week to spare, this might be a good choice. Find more information or apply here.
Lionbridge
To work for Lionbridge, you will need to be bilingual and reside in the country for which you’re evaluating. Before applying, you will have to go through an online assessment test that can take you hours to complete if you are not well prepared.
According to Glassdoor, the estimated pay for a search engine evaluator at Lionbridge is $4,398 per month.
There are many sites where you can find search engine evaluator jobs. A Google search is a good way to start looking for them.
