If you’ve ever needed written content for your business, website, or blog, you’ve likely come across two key roles: content writers and SEO writers. At first glance, they might seem like the same thing—they both write after all—but the way they approach their work is quite different. Understanding the distinction can help you hire the right person for the job.

Content Writers: The Storytellers

Content writers are all about engaging, informing, and entertaining. Their main focus is crafting well-written, compelling content that resonates with human readers. Whether it’s a blog post, an article, a case study, or even a brand’s “About” page, content writers aim to:

• Tell a story that connects with the audience.
• Educate, inspire, or entertain rather than just sell.
• Build a brand voice that keeps readers coming back.

Think of content writing as the art of communication—where quality, readability, and engagement come first. A great content writer understands the brand’s tone, the audience’s needs, and how to create something that people genuinely want to read. While they might consider SEO, it’s not their primary concern.

SEO Writers: The Strategists

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) writers, on the other hand, write with a specific goal in mind: making content rank higher on search engines like Google. Their work involves a mix of creativity and strategy, balancing readability with optimisation. An SEO writer’s priorities include:

• Keyword research to identify terms people are searching for.
• Optimising content for search engines while keeping it natural.
• Writing meta descriptions, headers, and alt text to boost visibility.
• Structuring content in a way that improves readability and SEO performance.

SEO writers don’t just write—they analyse. They keep up with algorithm changes, track keyword performance, and tweak content to stay competitive. Their ultimate aim is to get content seen by the right audience through search rankings.

So, Which One Do You Need?

If you need engaging, shareable content that builds relationships with your audience, a content writer is your go-to. If you want to drive organic traffic and rank on Google, an SEO writer is the better fit. Ideally, you want a mix—someone who can write for humans and search engines.

The best content doesn’t just attract clicks; it keeps people reading. Whether you prioritise storytelling or search rankings, understanding these roles ensures your content actually does what it’s meant to—connect, inform, and convert.

At Good Karma Socials, we believe that great content shouldn’t be a choice between creativity and strategy—it should be both. Our approach blends compelling storytelling with smart SEO techniques, ensuring your content not only resonates with your audience but also gets discovered by the right people. We cover blog posts that build brand loyalty, web copy that converts, articles that rank on Google without sounding robotic and much more. Let’s create content that works for both humans and search engines. Reach out today to learn more!