Virtual private network services, or VPNs, allow a user to create a new path to connect to the Internet for their online activities. Rather than connecting directly to the network, the VPN routes the traffic through one of its own servers before moving it on to the web. In this process, the data is encrypted too. In this way, when an end-user connects to the Internet, they mask their identity, their IP address and what they access online. This feature is very useful for people working in the field of search engine optimisation (SEO).

Protect Sensitive SEO Data

Sensitive information can be used as effective SEO tactics and targeted keywords. The consumer does not want to get his hands on this data from their competitor or from another unauthorized agency. Since malware occurs in many types, and hackers these days have sophisticated attack strategies, the SEO expert should take additional steps to protect this information when it moves from their device to the client. A VPN has a strong encryption built into the system, so even if they intercepted the transmission, a hacker cannot access useable information.

Some VPN services, including Surfshark VPN servers, block advertisements and automatically shield the user from malware and phishing attempts. That is one less thing to worry about when the person is working in such a demanding job.

Check Local SEO Results

It can be difficult for people working on SEO projects for global customers to get good luck at the organic results and paid ads on search engines. Because a VPN allows people to choose from which country they are connecting they can search for certain keywords via the VPN to get a clear view of their contest. Being able to switch between countries easily makes the handling of multiple clients much easier, especially when they are geographically diverse.

Get Better Visibility into Domestic Search Results

Google’s search results show a person is affected by their search history, location and other markers used by the search engine to identify an individual. This leads to problems with rating tests to see if they’ve made progress with the pages of their clients. We get a skewed view that most people searching for these keyword phrases may not reflect the truth. The VPN service helps an SEO expert to eliminate the identity-based changes Google makes by masking the identity of the user.

They should notify their client of this information and send them a plan to move their ranking up. The SEO specialist should develop a plan that better reflects the essence of their search engine ranking, as they can see the pressure and just how far they have to go.

Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi

SEOs frequently enjoy working from home or from other remote locations. We may use public Wi-Fi internet connections if they are digital nomads and traveling around the world, or check-in at work even when they are on vacation. While these connections are convenient, they put the individual at great risk of data becoming stolen or of compromising systems. If a hacker enters the work computer of the SEO expert then all their customer information is at risk.

A VPN encrypts all the traffic going through the VPN server from the person’s computer and they secure themselves if they need to work on public Wi-Fi. Since they can use that option without thinking, the time they would need to tether off a mobile data link would also be eliminated. It’s a huge cost savings as they just have to pay for some coffee or a co-working space’s daily rate.

Gain an Accurate Understanding of Google Ads

While looking at the Google Ads place at different locations, the VPN comes in handy. Just like trying out local SEO results, using a VPN for paid ad placement is a way of seeing if it appears in the location the expert wants it to be. When they pass around the servers, they can see the geographic difference. The information they learn from this process can lead to a change in their SEO strategy as well as further improvements.

Avoiding Geo-Restrictions

A SEO expert sometimes operates in a country which has a lot of geo-restricted content. This environment can make accessing to the tools they need for their job difficult or impossible for them. The VPN gets around these limitations, as traffic appears to come from another country. For instance, if there was a SEO expert based in China, they could use the VPN to access resources blocked by the Great Firewall.

Choosing the Right VPN

Several factors play a part in selecting the right VPN for SEO work. A number of licensed countries are among the most important features to search for. If the VPN service has servers in many countries then there is no need for the SEO professional to think about pulling up local listings for international clients. Another big consideration is the type of encryption the service uses. Look for VPNs with encryption levels military-grade or bank-grade. Beating these methods is virtually impossible for anyone, as it takes far too many resources to try and work through the possible keys.

Other useful features include a kill switch that will stop all use of the Internet if the VPN connection is down. With this functionality in place none of the sensitive data leaks out. Even when the SEO specialist needs to access resources that don’t support VPN traffic, being able to white list certain websites is a convenient way to use a VPN.

Price is a consideration, as well. While there are free VPN services, an SEO expert may find these services too restrictive. Typical free service restrictions include a few supported devices and connections, and a data cap. Premium services increase or remove these restrictions entirely to make life easier for their customers. A VPN may not be mentioned frequently as an essential SEO tool, but the usefulness that specialists get from it is priceless.