Digital Experience Intern

Open position in Portsmouth, NH; Hybrid work schedule; 2 days in the office, 3 days working from home

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring employer sponsorship.

Paid Internship Program Dates: Monday July 6 - Friday August 28, 2026 (8 weeks)

Work Schedule:

• Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Inclusive of one 30-minute lunch break each day (unpaid)Up to 29 hours per week

• Hybrid work model, with two in-office days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Overview:

The Digital Experience Intern provides hands-on support to the SEO team, learning how search engine optimization and analytics strategies are developed, implemented, and measured across diverse client accounts. Working under the guidance of the Supervisor of SEO & Analytics and the broader SEO team, the intern will assist with keyword research, content optimization, technical audits, performance reporting, and client-facing activities. This is a learning-focused role designed for a student or recent graduate who is curious about digital marketing, detail-oriented, eager to build foundational SEO skills, and ready to thrive in a fast-paced agency environment where search visibility is constantly evolving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned)

Content SEO Support

• Assist with keyword research using tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Keyword Planner under the guidance of senior team members
• Help maintain keyword libraries and content mapping documents to ensure organized tracking of target keywords across client websites
• Support content brief creation by gathering competitive insights, search intent analysis, and keyword recommendations
• Write and optimize metadata (title tags, meta descriptions, header tags) following established templates and SEO best practices
• Assist with content audits by identifying basic issues such as missing metadata, broken links, duplicate content, or optimization opportunities
• Help proofread and QA content for SEO best practices before publication, ensuring proper keyword usage and formatting
• Support the team in identifying content for AI extraction quality improvements (conciseness, structure, entities, attributes)
• Optimize images for web including compression, file naming conventions, and alt tag creation

Technical SEO Support

• Monitor site health in Google Search Console and report issues to the team, including crawl errors, indexation problems, and Core Web Vitals concerns
• Assist with running technical audits using tools like Screaming Frog under supervision, documenting findings in organized reports
• Help identify common technical issues such as broken links, 404 errors, missing alt tags, redirect chains, and duplicate content
• Support XML sitemap updates and robots.txt maintenance as websites evolve
• Assist with redirect mapping and validation during site updates or migrations
• Track indexation status and report any crawling or indexing concerns that may impact search visibility
• Learn to identify page speed optimization opportunities by flagging large images, render-blocking resources, or other performance issues
• Document technical SEO processes and best practices to build foundational knowledge and contribute to team resources

Analytics & Reporting Support

• Monitor basic SEO performance metrics including organic traffic, keyword rankings, conversions, and engagement using Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console
• Assist with creating regular performance reports for clients using established templates, ensuring accuracy and clarity
• Help maintain performance dashboards in platforms like Google Looker Studio, updating data visualizations and metrics
• Track and log data for trend analysis, competitive benchmarking, and client reporting
• Support Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager setup and maintenance under the guidance of senior team members
• Learn to identify data patterns, anomalies, and opportunities through guided analysis with SEO Specialists
• Assist with organizing and formatting data for client presentations and internal strategy discussions

Off-Site SEO & Link Building Support

• Help maintain Google Business Profiles and local listings by updating NAP (Name, Address, Phone), imagery, and business information
• Support link-building initiatives by conducting outreach research, identifying potential link partners, and tracking outreach efforts
• Assist with backlink audits by helping to identify low-quality or toxic links that may need review
• Monitor brand mentions and online reputation across the web, flagging opportunities or concerns for the team
• Research link-building opportunities, relevant publishers, and industry partners that align with client goals

Administrative & Coordination Support

• Attend internal team meetings and client calls as note-taker, documenting decisions, action items, and next steps clearly and distributing notes as needed
• Shadow SEO Specialists and the Supervisor to learn how strategies are developed, client relationships are managed, and projects move through the agency workflow
• Help organize and maintain project documentation, SOPs, and team resources on shared drives to ensure accessible knowledge base
• Support the team with scheduling, file organization, and general administrative tasks that keep projects running smoothly
• Assist with quality assurance checks on deliverables before they are sent to clients, ensuring accuracy and adherence to brand guidelines
• Learn to use project management tools (Workamajig, Slack, Google Workspace) to track task progress and communicate effectively with the team

Client Collaboration & Learning

• Attend client meetings as an observer and note-taker to learn client communication best practices, project dynamics, and how SEO strategies are presented
• Observe how senior team members handle client questions, present performance data, and provide strategic recommendations
• Build understanding of diverse client industries, business goals, and how SEO strategies are customized to meet unique needs
• Learn to communicate clearly and professionally in client-facing contexts with guidance and supervision from the team
• Gain exposure to the full SEO project lifecycle from strategy development through execution, reporting, and optimization

Qualifications - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• No prior professional SEO experience required. Relevant coursework, personal projects, prior internships, or demonstrated interest in digital marketing, search engines, and analytics are a plus
• Strong organizational skills with impeccable attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities at once
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an eagerness to learn how to present technical information clearly
• A proactive, curious mindset with a willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and jump in wherever the team needs support
• Basic understanding of how search engines work and why SEO matters for businesses
• Available to commit to up to 30 hours per week with two days in office

Nice to Have:

• Familiarity with SEO tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog
• Completed SEO certifications or online courses (Google Analytics, HubSpot, SEMrush Academy, etc.)
• Experience with content management systems (WordPress, HubSpot, Webflow, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS and how websites are structured
• Understanding of content marketing, social media marketing, or paid search advertising
• Exposure to data analysis, spreadsheet management, and data visualization
• Personal blog, website, or portfolio demonstrating interest in SEO or digital marketing

Education

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university, or recent graduate (within 1 year); major in marketing, communications, computer science, or related field preferred

Why Saltwater?

We're not going to promise ping pong tables that nobody actually uses. What we will offer is interesting client work, a team that genuinely collaborates, and the chance to stay on the cutting edge of a field that's evolving faster than ever. We invest in learning, celebrate wins, and when something doesn't work, we figure out why and do better next time.