SEO Case Study: How a Staffing Agency Increased Job Applications by 260%
A staffing agency in Tempe, Arizona partnered with Goforaeo in 2025 because their website was not producing enough steady job applications from organic search. They were posting jobs, but most candidates were finding competitors first, and many visits were not turning into completed applications. This case study explains how we rebuilt their local SEO foundation, created search focused job pages, and improved conversion paths so organic traffic turned into real applicant growth.
This campaign focused on Tempe, Arizona, plus nearby areas like Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Phoenix where candidates often search across city lines. The project ran from May 5, 2025 to December 5, 2025, and SEO sourced job applications grew from 95 to 342 per month, which confirmed a 260% increase by December 2025. The growth was steady and compounding, driven by consistent monthly work and simple tracking.
Campaign overview: dates, location, and what we measured
We treated this project as a local SEO campaign and a recruiting funnel project at the same time. In staffing, rankings matter, but conversion matters more because candidates need a fast, easy way to apply. We focused on making the right pages rank, making job listings easier to understand, and making the application step smooth on mobile.
We kept reporting honest because staffing sites can attract a lot of low-quality traffic and spam form fills. Only real job application completions were tracked, and quality was verified inside the ATS. This helped the client trust the results and supported better monthly decisions.
Project details:
- Location focus: Tempe, Arizona
- Campaign dates: May 5, 2025 to December 5, 2025
- Primary KPI: completed job applications from organic search
- Secondary KPIs: organic clicks to job pages, apply button clicks, calls from job seekers
- Reporting cadence: monthly
What counted as an SEO driven job application
We defined job applications in a strict way so the before-and-after proof stayed clean. Form completions tied to organic landing sessions were tracked, and spam or incomplete submissions were filtered out. We also tracked phone calls from job seekers when they originated from organic results and lasted long enough to indicate real intent.
Counted as an application:
- Completed job application form submission from organic landing pages
- Completed “Quick Apply” submission tied to organic traffic
- Tracked organic call over 60 seconds that resulted in an application started in the ATS
Not counted:
- Incomplete form attempts
- Spam submissions flagged in the ATS
- Applications driven by paid traffic
Tools used by Goforaeo
We used a simple stack that supported real SEO decisions and accurate tracking. Search Console and GA4 helped us understand search demand and page performance. We also used crawling and keyword tools to fix structure, identify job intent terms, and monitor progress month to month.
Tools used:
- Google Analytics 4
- Google Search Console
- Google Tag Manager
- Looker Studio for monthly reporting
- Screaming Frog for audits and crawl fixes
- Ahrefs and Semrush for keyword research and competitor tracking
- PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse for mobile speed
- Call tracking integrated with GA4
- ATS reporting for lead quality checks
Baseline: where the agency started before growth
Before the campaign, the agency had job listings, but they were not built in a way that Google could rank consistently. Many jobs were posted as thin pages, some titles were unclear, and location signals were weak. Candidates also had to work too hard to apply, especially on mobile, and that caused drop offs.
We used May 2025 as the baseline month because tracking was cleaned up at the start of the campaign window. This gave us a reliable starting point and helped us measure real improvement. It also helped us identify which changes increased applications, not just traffic.
Baseline metrics in May 2025:
- Organic sessions: 7,900
- Google Search Console clicks: 2,180
- Job page views from organic: 4,260
- Apply button clicks from organic: 410
- Completed job applications from SEO: 95
The biggest issue was mismatch between search intent and page structure. Candidates were searching for “warehouse jobs Tempe,” “medical receptionist Tempe,” and “temp jobs near ASU,” but the site did not have strong pages that matched those searches. When the page does not match the search, rankings fall and candidates leave fast.
What was holding SEO back in Tempe
Tempe is a fast moving hiring market, and candidates search with simple, direct terms. They care about pay range, schedule, location, and how fast they can start. If a job page hides that info or loads slowly, they bounce and apply elsewhere.
We found three main blocks that were limiting organic applications. Fixing these created the base for the month by month growth. Once those issues were cleaned up, the content and job page expansion started to compound.
Site and technical issues affecting rankings
Some job pages were not being indexed properly, and others were too thin to earn strong rankings. Internal linking was weak, so new job posts were not getting discovered easily. Mobile speed and layout issues also mattered, because many job seekers apply from a phone.
Key issues we fixed:
- Indexing and crawl path problems for job pages
- Duplicate job posts or near identical pages competing with each other
- Weak internal linking from category pages to live jobs
- Slow mobile experience on apply flow pages
After these fixes, the site became easier for Google to crawl and easier for candidates to use. That improved both rankings and apply rate.
Content gaps for high intent job searches
The agency had job posts, but they lacked helpful category and location pages that guide candidates. Many candidates search by job type, shift, or industry, not by a specific posting. Without those pages, the agency was missing a big part of organic demand.
We built pages for:
- “Temp agency Tempe” and “staffing agency Tempe” intent
- Industry categories like warehouse, admin, healthcare support, customer service
- Shift and hiring urgency pages like “immediate start jobs Tempe” and “part time jobs Tempe”
- Local job seeker guides tied to Tempe neighborhoods and major landmarks like ASU area
These pages brought in candidates who were not looking for one exact job, but were ready to apply quickly. They also supported job pages through internal linking.
Conversion issues: candidates dropping before applying
Even when candidates found a job page, the application experience was not smooth. Some pages had long forms, unclear next steps, and too many clicks. In staffing, speed matters, and any friction reduces applications.
We improved conversion by:
- Adding a “Quick Apply” option for mobile first users
- Making apply buttons consistent and visible without heavy scrolling
- Adding simple pay and schedule notes where legally allowed
- Clarifying what happens after applying, so candidates feel confident
These changes increased applications without needing a massive traffic jump. It also improved lead quality, because candidates understood what they were applying for.
Strategy: the SEO plan that created compounding growth
We used a clear order so every month built on the last. First we fixed technical and structure issues. Then we built strong local service pages and job category pages. Then we scaled job content and improved internal linking so new openings could rank faster.
We also treated conversion as part of SEO, not as a separate project. In hiring, you can rank well and still lose candidates if the apply step is hard. So we improved the apply flow early and kept optimizing it monthly.
Phase 1: foundation and tracking cleanup
We started by making sure tracking was accurate and pages were crawlable. Indexing issues were cleaned up, templates were improved, and conversion events were set up for apply actions. We also ensured job postings followed a consistent structure so Google could understand them.
Work included:
- GA4 conversion setup for applications, apply clicks, and key job page events
- Search Console mapping to find job queries and weak pages
- Crawl cleanup and internal linking improvements
- Mobile speed improvements on top traffic job pages
This phase reduced technical friction and gave us clean numbers to measure real growth.
Phase 2: Tempe local pages and job category structure
Next we built pages that match how candidates search in Tempe. We created a Tempe hub page and connected it to job categories and job listings. We also improved the main staffing agency service pages to match local intent.
Pages created and improved:
- Tempe staffing agency service page with strong local signals
- Job category pages for top hiring areas like warehouse and admin
- Shift based pages for part time, full time, and night shift searches
- “Immediate start” hiring pages for high urgency candidates
These pages acted like funnels, guiding candidates from search to the right jobs. They also helped Google understand the site’s topical relevance in Tempe.
Phase 3: job listing SEO and internal linking that scales
We improved job posts so they could rank and convert. Each job post had clearer titles, better location signals, simple requirements, and consistent sections that candidates scan fast. We also built internal links from category pages to job posts so new roles gained visibility quicker.
We focused on:
- Clear job titles aligned with search queries, not internal role codes
- Unique job descriptions and responsibilities to avoid duplication
- Strong internal links from categories to live jobs
- Regular refreshing of job pages so they stayed current and trustworthy
This made job pages rank faster and helped applications grow without relying only on the main service page.
Phase 4: conversion improvements that lifted applications
We improved the apply experience month by month, especially on mobile. Forms were shortened where possible, “Apply Now” placement was improved, and trust signals were added to reduce hesitation. We also used behavior tracking to identify where candidates dropped off.
Conversion improvements included:
- Mobile first “Quick Apply” sections on key pages
- Clear “what happens next” sections after apply
- Better readability with short paragraphs and clean headings
- Tracking improvements so we could identify which pages drove the most applicants
When conversion improved, the same traffic produced more applications. That helped the growth rate accelerate.
Monthly timeline: actions completed and results in 2025
This timeline starts from June 2025 so it does not begin with May. May 2025 was used as the baseline and tracking setup month. Each month below includes what we did and the key monthly metrics, without using tables.
June 2025: local service pages and internal linking rebuild
In June, we focused on building a stronger Tempe service page and improving internal links so job pages were easier to discover. We cleaned job page templates and improved titles to match how candidates search. We also improved mobile speed on top landing pages.
June 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 8,700
- Search Console clicks: 2,460
- Apply button clicks: 520
- SEO job applications: 118
July 2025: job category pages and “quick apply” improvements
In July, we launched job category pages for the main hiring buckets and made it easier for mobile users to apply. We added clearer job summaries and improved the layout so candidates could find key details quickly. We also started publishing Tempe job seeker guides to support long tail searches.
July 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 10,100
- Search Console clicks: 2,980
- Apply button clicks: 680
- SEO job applications: 149
August 2025: expansion into high intent job searches
In August, we expanded content for high intent searches like immediate start jobs, part time jobs, and shift based searches. We improved internal links between job guides, category pages, and current listings. We also updated older job posts that had impressions but low clicks.
August 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 11,900
- Search Console clicks: 3,440
- Apply button clicks: 820
- SEO job applications: 187
September 2025: ranking improvements and conversion tuning
In September, we focused on pages ranking around positions 6 to 15 and pushed them higher with better content structure and intent matching. We simplified forms and improved apply CTAs on top traffic pages. We also used behavior tracking to remove sections that caused drop offs.
September 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 13,600
- Search Console clicks: 3,920
- Apply button clicks: 980
- SEO job applications: 224
October 2025: scaling job listings and local authority
In October, we improved job listing SEO at scale and refreshed category pages weekly so Google saw consistent updates. We also earned a few relevant local links through community job resources and local business listings. This helped authority and improved rankings for service and job queries.
October 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 15,800
- Search Console clicks: 4,520
- Apply button clicks: 1,180
- SEO job applications: 269
November 2025: stronger top rankings and higher application rate
In November, we improved snippet text and updated pages that were already ranking well to increase click through rate. We also expanded FAQs on job category pages and updated the Tempe hub page with clearer navigation. These improvements helped both traffic and conversion.
November 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 18,100
- Search Console clicks: 5,110
- Apply button clicks: 1,430
- SEO job applications: 308
December 2025: peak performance and the 260% lift confirmed
In early December, we focused on consolidation and quality. We refreshed top pages, improved internal links to current roles, and kept job pages updated so they stayed fresh. This month confirmed the full application growth compared to the baseline.
December 2025 results:
- Organic sessions: 19,600
- Search Console clicks: 5,480
- Apply button clicks: 1,620
- SEO job applications: 342
Before vs after proof: the 260% increase in applications
We used the baseline month and the final month of the campaign window to keep the comparison clean. This makes the proof easy to understand and avoids confusion. Growth also happened across traffic and conversion metrics, which is a stronger sign that SEO drove the improvement.
May 2025 vs December 2025:
- SEO job applications: 95 to 342, which is +260%
- Organic sessions: 7,900 to 19,600
- Search Console clicks: 2,180 to 5,480
- Apply button clicks: 410 to 1,620
The key point is that apply clicks and completed applications increased together. That shows we did not only bring more visitors, we brought more job seekers who were ready to apply. It also shows the apply experience improved, not just rankings.
Why this worked in Tempe
Tempe candidates search with simple intent and want fast action. When we built pages around real job searches and made applying easier, results followed. Category pages and local service pages brought the right people, and improved job listings helped convert them.
Consistency was also a major factor. We updated and improved pages monthly, built internal links that guide users, and kept job content fresh. That is what created compounding growth instead of short spikes.
Tools used and how they supported the work
We used Google Search Console to find real queries and track page growth. We used GA4 to track applications and apply clicks, and we validated quality through the ATS. Screaming Frog helped us fix crawl issues and templates, while Ahrefs and Semrush helped us monitor competitors and identify opportunities.
We used PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse to keep mobile performance strong. We also used behavior tracking tools to see where candidates dropped off, so we could fix conversion issues quickly. This combination kept the strategy simple and effective.
What we would do next to keep applications growing
After December 2025, the next phase would expand into more niche job categories and nearby city pages where search demand overlaps. We would also continue refreshing category pages weekly and improving internal linking to active job listings. On conversion, we would keep testing shorter forms and clearer mobile apply flows to lift the application rate further.
This case study shows that staffing SEO is not just about rankings. It is about matching job seeker intent, building clear pages, and making the apply step easy. When those pieces work together, applications grow in a stable and scalable way.