Definition
SEO ROI (Return On Investment) is a key indicator that measures the profitability of investments in organic search. It is calculated by comparing the revenue generated by organic traffic to the costs incurred (tools, link building, content creation, consultants). Unlike SEA where ROI is immediately measurable, SEO ROI unfolds over the medium and long term, generally between 6 and 12 months. Measuring SEO ROI involves tracking organic conversions, assigning a monetary value to SEO traffic, and accounting for the cumulative effect of actions taken. For link building specifically, ROI is measured by evaluating the impact of acquired links on positions, traffic, and conversions of target pages.
Key Points
- Measured over the medium-long term (6-12 months minimum)
- Accounts for the cumulative effect of SEO actions
- Link building offers lasting ROI unlike SEA
Practical Examples
Link building ROI calculation
An advertiser invests $2,200 per month in links via LemmiLink. After 6 months, target pages gain an average of 15 positions, generating 500 additional organic visitors per month and $11,000 in additional revenue.
SEO ROI vs SEA
A company compares its SEO cost per lead ($16 after 12 months) to its SEA cost ($49), demonstrating that SEO is 3 times more profitable in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
The basic formula is: ROI = (Revenue generated by SEO - SEO Costs) / SEO Costs x 100. For revenue, use Google Analytics to track organic traffic conversions. For costs, add up expenses for tools, content, link building, and consultants. Measure over a sufficiently long period (minimum 6 months).
Link building ROI varies by industry and competition, but is generally very positive in the medium term. On average, a quality link continues to pass PageRank for several years, meaning a one-time investment generates cumulative benefits. On LemmiLink, advertisers typically see a positive return between 4 and 8 months after starting their campaign.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07