What should I look for when hiring an SEO content writing agency?

Read the contract for two things: who owns the content once it's paid for, and the notice period. Some agencies keep the rights until the end of the contract, or lock you in for six months. Also ask whether they update old pieces. Half the value of content after a year is refreshing what already ranks.

Ask them for samples that actually rank, with the URL, not PDFs of nice writing. Then search the keyword yourself and check. The rest I'd check: - who does the keyword research and the brief. If you're expected to supply both, you're paying for typing - whether the same writer stays on your account or it rotates every month - how they handle topics that need real expertise (medical, finance, legal etc) - how many revision rounds are included - their AI policy, and whether they'll say it in writing Pay for one trial piece before you sign anything long term. How they take your edits on that piece will tell you more than the sales call.