It’s 2026, and yet there is still talk that some industries aren’t meant for women. And even though SEO is often associated with marketing, a niche where many women work, women in technical SEO are highly underrepresented.
There is very limited research on the subject. But the latest data suggests that only about 30% of people working in the SEO field are women. And when it comes to tech optimization, it’s safe to assume that this number is even lower.
That’s why in this article, we’ll cover:
- Why this field might feel hard for women to enter,
- What challenges women tend to face in the SEO industry,
- And how to build confidence and influence in this niche as a woman.
Why technical SEO can feel harder to break into
It seems like technical SEO generally feels harder for women to break into, simply because it has the word “technical” next to it. Even though it sounds like a bad joke, it’s hard to explain this otherwise:
- We all know the stereotype that any type of “technical” work is viewed as more male in society.
- Even when getting degrees, women are often “pushed” toward content, communication, media, support, etc.
- Often, women who still end up working in technical SEO feel weird and lonely because they’re mostly surrounded by men. And this often pushes them to change the direction of their career later on.
Besides, if you look at any random SEO agency, tech optimization company, guest posting service, or even just industry leaders online, you’ll mostly see men.
In fact, after Search Engine Journal posted an article about the top SEO experts, many noticed that women represented only a small portion of the specialists listed. It doesn’t mean that SEJ did anything wrong. It’s more a reflection of the stats we’ve seen above and the low number of women in technical SEO.
Source: LinkedIn
Note: This article about the top SEO experts now redirects to another blog post titled “How to Become an SEO Expert.”
The biggest challenges women in tech SEO still face
We decided not to just share our own perspective here. Instead, we talked to several women in the field and went through online forums to see what women in SEO had to say.
And these are the most common challenges we heard over and over again:
- Many feel underestimated in discussions. Some women even noted that their suggestions might not be taken into account, but then, when a male colleague comes up with the same idea, it gets considered.
- Not being invited to serious meetings. Some women also mentioned that their leadership almost always chooses men for client meetings or any other more important events.
- Almost no women in leadership. Many mention the fact that there are far fewer women in SEO leadership than men, even though there are so many great female SEO experts.
- Burnout from proving themselves. Since many women in SEO feel like they’re not enough, they tend to overwork. And always being on often results in burnout and a lack of work-life balance.
- Wage gaps. And of course, like in almost any industry, women are more likely to be paid less than men, even when they do the same work and occupy the same roles.
How to grow in technical SEO as a woman
But still, no matter what the circumstances are, you can do it. Because what no one can take away from you is your professionalism. And even if no one claps for you, you have to be your biggest supporter.
Yet we understand that it’s much easier said than done, so here are a couple of things successful women in technical SEO say helped them become more confident and earn respect in the industry.
1. Build knowledge depth first
All your confidence comes from within. And when you understand that you know your stuff, you’ll become pretty much unbeatable. Because you can change the company, niche, etc. But what will always stay with you is your knowledge.
Of course, even talented, high-achieving women can suffer from impostor syndrome. But the more knowledge and positive experience you gain over time, the more confident you’ll eventually feel.
So, instead of focusing on some “gaps,” start paying more attention to self-growth. For example, you can:
- Attend SEO conferences,
- Stay up to date and regularly read major niche resources,
- Engage with other professionals on LinkedIn,
- Regularly check industry reports,
- Consistently test new tools and approaches,
- Subscribe to niche newsletters, subreddits, etc.
Even if you are a total beginner and only starting your journey as an SEO specialist or freelancer, you can still do all these things. Besides, you can follow SolidGigs’s tutorial, which helps you navigate this beginner path more easily.
2. Document your wins
If you still can’t convince yourself or your team that you’re the real deal, start documenting your wins. This way, you’ll have data to back you up, not just words.
You can start by actually tracking your progress:
- Create a folder where you can add screenshots and notes when you start working on anything. The goal here is to document your point A.
- Then, do monthly “audits” where you can update all your materials based on what you’ve done so far and how the project is going.
- Consider creating a separate document where you summarize everything you’ve achieved over time at your company or for each client.
It sounds simple, but it will help you build confidence and create real-life proof of your expertise. This way, it will also be much easier to negotiate a pay rise or get a promotion.
3. Consider going public
You can start building your personal brand even if you don’t feel like an expert yet. Start small and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Many women also stay away from going public in tech when they don’t have formal technical education or extensive experience. But even without a technical background, you can still make an impact in tech industries.
Just choose the platform where you feel most comfortable (e.g., LinkedIn, X, etc.), and stay consistent. Many of the people you already follow in any niche might not be the most talented or knowledgeable. But what really differentiates them is their consistency and the fact that they aren’t afraid to share their thoughts online.
From there, you can also:
- Participate in niche events (you can become a speaker at some smaller gatherings even if you’ve never done this before),
- Publish press releases promoting your personal brand,
- Use a blog posting service to share your expertise or even the challenges women face in the work environment,
- Collaborate with other creators (eventually, you can appear on podcasts or participate in YouTube videos).
4. Connect with other women in the field
When you’re working in a niche where there aren’t many women, it might feel like a very lonely journey. But whatever you’re doing, you are not alone. To feel this more clearly, consider joining women’s communities in the technical SEO industry.
One of the biggest ones right now is the “Women in Tech SEO” space, founded by Areej AbuAli. Over the years, it has brought together thousands of female SEO experts, making it a safe space where women can connect.
You can join anytime, ask niche-related questions, attend events all over the world, and gain even more knowledge from webinars and other educational materials.
Source: Instagram
In communities like this, you can see that SEO for women isn’t just a career but also a shared interest that brings people together.
So, if you feel like no one really understands your difficulties or you barely have anyone to share your professional wins with, a supportive community or even a mentor can really help. Still, of course, it depends on your personal priorities and preferences.
Conclusion
Being a woman in tech might not be the easiest thing ever. But it’s 2026, and it’s definitely not a man’s world anymore. So, if you feel like you aren’t appreciated enough or confident enough, this is the best time to change that.
Just keep working on yourself, document your success, share your expertise with others, build your personal brand, and connect with other women in technical SEO. And soon enough, you’ll see that you were enough all along. Good luck with everything, you can do it all, and remember: you’re never alone!
