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How To Become A Search Engine Evaluator (Land A Job Today)

Career
Updated on: Nov 09, 2024
How To Become A Search Engine Evaluator (Land A Job Today)
Ramit Sethi
Host of Netflix's "How to Get Rich", NYT Bestselling Author & host of the hit I Will Teach You To Be Rich Podcast. For over 20 years, Ramit has been sharing proven strategies to help people like you take control of their money and live a Rich Life.

Whenever you type a question into Google, a magical list of links appears, but have you ever wondered how they know they're giving you the best answers? Search engine evaluators are the behind-the-scenes experts who test and rate search results to ensure they match what people are searching for.

In this post, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a search engine evaluator and exactly how to land one of these rising, flexible, remote jobs for yourself.

What You Need To Be A Search Engine Evaluator Today

Breaking into the search engine evaluation field is more accessible than you might think. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to transition from another industry, the requirements are designed to welcome motivated individuals from all backgrounds. Here's what you'll need to get started.

Basic requirements

This job is one of the easiest to get into—you don't even need a college degree to apply (though it can help) as long as you have a high school diploma and are at least 18 years old. It's a job you can do right now if you've just completed high school.

While formal education isn't mandatory, strong analytical skills and attention to detail are crucial. Many successful evaluators come from diverse backgrounds, from retail to customer service, bringing their unique perspectives to the role.

Research skills to help with the job

If you love scouring the internet, you might as well give this job a shot because you'll be doing a lot of research in your day-to-day. You're already qualified enough if you're good at finding information online already.

However, it’s also easy to hone this skill. Here are some tips to sharpen your research abilities as it relates to becoming a search engine evaluator:

  • Using advanced search operators in Google (like site:, filetype:, etc.).
  • Cross-referencing information across multiple sources.
  • Identifying credible sources versus unreliable ones.
  • Understanding search intent behind different types of queries.
  • Organizing information efficiently using bookmarks and digital notes.

Mastering these research techniques will make you a stronger candidate and help you excel once you land the position. The more efficiently you can navigate and evaluate online information, the more valuable you'll be as a search engine evaluator.

Technical requirements

The tech skills required aren't out of this world either. In fact, you probably already know how to use common web browsers and search engines. Beyond that, you'll just need your own laptop and a stable internet connection. To optimize your setup:

  • Ensure your internet speed meets minimum requirements (usually at least 10 Mbps).
  • Set up a dedicated workspace with proper lighting and ergonomic seating because you’ll spend much of your time working here.
  • Install multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) as you'll need to test across platforms.
  • Consider a second monitor to improve productivity.
  • Keep your operating system and browsers updated.

While this might sound like a lot of setup initially, having the right technical foundation will save you countless hours of frustration down the road. Plus, most of these requirements are things you likely already have in place if you're comfortable using a computer.

Knowledge of current events

If you love staying on top of the latest news and trends, you can make a career out of it. Even if not, you can set up Google Alerts to send these things directly to your inbox. Building your knowledge base doesn't have to feel like homework–start by identifying topics you genuinely enjoy and create custom news feeds around them. Whether it's tech innovations, entertainment, or local news, a broad understanding helps you evaluate search results more effectively.

Social media can be your ally here; following industry leaders and major search engines informs you of algorithmic changes and emerging trends. Digital marketing newsletters and tech company updates might sound dry, but they're goldmines for understanding how search behavior evolves. You might also find yourself naturally drawn to online communities where people discuss search trends and user behavior.

These discussions often reveal insights about what real users are searching for and why–knowledge is invaluable for a search engine evaluator. The goal isn't to become an expert in everything but to develop a well-rounded awareness of current events and how they influence search patterns.

The Pros and Cons of Working as a Search Engine Evaluator

Before diving into this position, let's examine what makes this role both attractive and challenging.

Key Benefits

Working as a search engine evaluator offers several advantages that make it an attractive option for many professionals:

  • Work Flexibility: Work remotely from anywhere with just a computer and internet connection, perfect for digital nomads or stay-at-home parents.
  • Low Entry Barriers: Easy way to enter the tech industry with minimal startup costs and requirements.
  • Skill Development: Build valuable experience in search analysis and data evaluation while setting your own schedule.

These benefits make the role particularly appealing for those seeking to enter the tech industry while maintaining flexibility in their work life.

Main Challenges

However, the role does come with some a few challengers that you should keep in mind:

  • Variable Income: Project-based work means variable availability, meaning you may need to look for more gigs after your current one is done.
  • Limited Growth (in most situations): Fixed pay rates with minimal negotiation room and few advancement opportunities.
  • Constant adaptation: Regular guideline updates and working with diverse topics, sometimes outside your comfort zone.

Getting started in this field is remarkably straightforward, and the flexibility makes it an increasingly popular choice for those seeking work-life balance.

Those who thrive in this role often discover that the project-based nature becomes advantageous, allowing them to diversify their experience and maintain an engaging, varied workload.

How Much Can You Earn as a Search Engine Evaluator

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a search engine evaluator is $35,471, or $17 an hour–which is a great starting pay if you're looking for work after completing school. Even though these positions are variable, working part-time as a search engine evaluator can be a good side hustle as these roles are often project-based.

Building a sustainable income as a search engine evaluator

Can you make a living as a search engine evaluator? While it's not the highest-paying tech job, it can provide a sustainable income with the right approach. The key is understanding how to maximize your opportunities and potentially combine them with complementary work.

Many successful evaluators build their income through strategic scheduling:

  • Maintain contracts with multiple companies (when permitted) to ensure steady workflow.
  • Combine morning search evaluation work ($15-20/hr) with afternoon freelance work in another field, like copywriting, virtual assistance tasks, or online English teaching.
  • Take on specialized or rush projects that offer premium rates.
  • Look for multilingual opportunities that often pay more if you speak multiple languages.

The attractiveness of this role lies in its flexibility and low-pressure nature. While you might not see dramatic salary increases over time within the same position, you gain valuable experience that can open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Plus, the ability to work remotely, set your schedule, and avoid commuting costs adds significant value to your overall compensation package.

The Day to Day and Growth Opportunities for a Search Engine Evaluator

Being a search engine evaluator involves routine tasks and continuous learning opportunities. While the day-to-day work follows a consistent pattern, each day brings new challenges and interesting content to evaluate. Let's break down what you can expect in this role.

Daily tasks and responsibilities

For the most part, you'll review web pages, images, videos, or ads and rate how well they match specific search queries. Each task comes with detailed guidelines about what makes a result "good" or "bad" for different types of searches. Guidelines can change frequently, so you need to learn new rating criteria fast, too, training you to perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment.

A typical day might look like this if you’re working full-time:

  • Morning: Review and rate search results for specific queries.
  • Midday: Evaluate image or video content relevancy.
  • Afternoon: Test new search features or algorithms.
  • Throughout the day: Document findings and submit reports.
  • Weekly: Attend any required team meetings or training sessions.

The variety keeps the work interesting, and you'll often learn about new topics and trends as you evaluate different types of content.

Time commitment and scheduling

Most companies require 10-20 hours per week, and you can usually set your own schedule. However, tasks aren't always available–most evaluators work for multiple companies to ensure steady work when allowed. This kind of flexibility makes the role particularly attractive for many people.

Parents can easily balance their work around childcare responsibilities, fitting in evaluation tasks during nap times or after bedtime. Students find it ideal for earning income while maintaining their class schedules, as they can work between lectures or during study breaks. Digital nomads love the location-independent nature of the work, allowing them to earn while traveling across different time zones.

It's also perfect for anyone seeking a flexible second income, as the variable hours can fit around a primary job or other commitments.

Career growth and skill development

While the role might seem straightforward, it builds an impressive set of transferable skills. Some evaluators move into quality assurance or team lead positions. The skills you learn (attention to detail, understanding search intent, data analysis) can transfer to other tech-adjacent roles. Understanding search intent and user behavior can also lead to jobs in:

  • SEO ($50-80K)
  • UX research ($70-100K)
  • Content strategy ($60-90K)
  • Digital marketing ($55-95K)
  • Data analysis ($55K-85K)
  • Quality assurance management ($80-125K)

The key is recognizing that this role isn't just about rating search results–it's about developing a deep understanding of how people interact with digital content. This knowledge is increasingly valuable in today's digital-first job market.

This relative instability, compared to other full-time jobs, will train you to be resourceful in seeking opportunities. Working as a search engine evaluator naturally develops your professional toolkit in unexpected ways.

You'll become adept at managing multiple projects and optimizing your time to meet deadlines. The role cultivates sharp quality assessment abilities and data analysis skills while deepening your understanding of user behavior and digital content evaluation. The combination of these capabilities makes you increasingly valuable in today’s economy.

Companies That Often Hire Search Engine Evaluators

Before diving into specific companies, note that this role might be listed under different titles: search engine evaluator, web search evaluator, quality evaluator, search engine rater, or quality rater. While we can't guarantee current openings, these companies frequently hire for these positions:

  • Appen: This Australian company specializes in AI training data and machine learning and offers flexible hours globally. Candidates must pass an initial assessment before starting work.
  • TELUS International AI (formerly Lionbridge AI): Known for AI data solutions, they hire "Personalized Internet Assessors" for part-time, remote positions with flexible schedules.
  • iSoftStone: Offers various data services, including search evaluation, typically requiring 10-25 hours weekly commitment with flexible, remote work arrangements.
  • Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk): A marketplace for microtasks including search evaluation, offering high flexibility but generally lower per-task compensation.

These represent the most established companies in search evaluation, but new opportunities emerge regularly as demand grows. Many evaluators work with multiple companies to secure consistent work, though it's important to note that some companies prohibit simultaneous employment with competitors. Always check these policies before applying.

Tips for Long-Term Success as a Search Engine Evaluator

Stay active on company forums or communication channels (these should be communicated when you're hired, but you can search Facebook to see if you can find any on your own). Set aside a healthy amount of time daily to check updates, but avoid getting pulled into unproductive discussions.

Staying updated and informed

Keep up with changes in guidelines and rating criteria. Search engines are constantly evolving, and what was correct last month might not be correct now. Set up Google Alerts for your company and significant search engines to stay informed about algorithm updates. Remember to keep up with social media trends, too. The digital landscape changes rapidly, and staying current helps you provide more accurate evaluations.

Be ready for quality reviews of your work

Be prepared for periodic quality reviews of your work. These can often come without prior notice, so remember tricky rating decisions and why you made them. This will help you explain and defend your choices during reviews. Consider creating a database of challenging cases and their resolutions–this can be invaluable when similar situations arise.

Building professional habits

Success in this role requires more than technical skills. It’s also about creating a sustainable work environment that promotes productivity and well-being. Establishing strong professional habits early on can make the difference between struggling and thriving as a search engine evaluator.

  • Create a consistent work schedule that matches your peak productivity hours.
  • Maintain a dedicated workspace to minimize distractions.
  • Take regular breaks to prevent evaluation fatigue.
  • Keep detailed records of your work hours and completed tasks.
  • Network with other evaluators through professional groups.

The secret to longevity in this field (and any work-from-home position) isn't just maintaining high-quality work–it's about developing sustainable habits that help you stay engaged and productive over the long term. One of the best ways to succeed in this role is to create a rhythm that balances efficiency with attention to detail, allowing you to deliver consistent results while avoiding burnout.

 

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