Those emails keep coming. “Improve your SEO!” they promise. “Boost your rankings!” But what exactly is SEO, and can you actually do it yourself without paying hundreds to some agency?
I decided to find out. After receiving the occasional SEO service pitch for my tech and politics blog, I turned to Claude AI to see if we could accomplish the same DIY SEO optimization results those services were promising. The answer turned out to be a resounding yes—with proper guidance.
What I Discovered About SEO Services
Search Engine Optimization sounds complicated, but it breaks down to making your website more visible to search engines like Google. Those email offers typically include keyword research, technical improvements, content optimization, and link building strategies. All legitimate services, but with price tags that made me wonder if there was a DIY approach.
Most paid SEO services charge anywhere from $500 to $2,000 monthly for what turned out to be tasks I could handle myself with the right tools and guidance. The key was understanding that SEO isn’t magic—it’s a systematic process of optimization.
