Research Partnership Opportunities
Babeș-Bolyai University | Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences
Executive Summary
The AgenticSEO Study is the first comprehensive academic research examining how SEO professionals can survive and thrive in the age of agentic AI. Conducted as a Bachelor thesis at Babeș-Bolyai University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Dorin Spoaller, this international study will survey 120+ SEO professionals across Romania, Western Europe, and global markets.
Partnership Opportunity
Join leading organizations in the SEO and AI space in supporting groundbreaking research while gaining visibility, credibility, and early access to market insights.
- Research Period: October 2025 - May 2026
- Expected Impact: First academic framework for SEO career transformation in the AI era
Research Overview
The Reality: Myth vs. Vendor Claims
While vendor claims suggest 75% automation by 2026, research shows 45-50% with mandatory human oversight. The key insight: 86% of top-ranking content remains human-written, and strategic roles are surging ($97k-$192k).
The Research Question
"How can SEO professionals transform from operators to AI orchestrators—not to compete with automation, but to strategically leverage it while amplifying irreplaceable human skills?"
This research examines:
- Current AI adoption patterns among SEO professionals
- Skills gaps preventing successful transformation
- Effective upskilling strategies (including "Vibe Coding" methodology)
- Career resilience factors in the face of automation
- Regional differences in AI readiness (Romania vs. EU vs. Global)
Research Methodology
- Survey: 93-item Career Resilience Calculator (60-90 minutes)
- Interviews: In-depth follow-up with select participants
- Sample Size: 120+ SEO professionals
- Geographic Scope: International (Romania, Western Europe, Global markets)
- Data Analysis: Comparative analysis across regions and experience levels
- Ethics: University-approved, GDPR compliant
Key Deliverables
- Bachelor Thesis: Full academic research report (May 2026)
- 90-Day Survival Playbook: Practical career transformation guide
- Career Resilience Calculator: Public tool for SEO professionals
- Research Publications: Conference papers and journal articles
- Industry Reports: Aggregate insights for partners
Partnership Philosophy
Academic Integrity First
We maintain complete editorial independence. Partners provide valuable resources (tools, data, expertise) to advance this research but have no influence over research design, analysis, or conclusions.
Mutual Benefit Model
This is not a sponsorship—it's a research collaboration where both parties benefit:
For Organizations
- • Association with groundbreaking academic research
- • Thought leadership positioning
- • SEO value (backlinks from academic domain)
- • Early access to market insights
- • Credibility through academic third-party validation
For Research
- • Access to data, tools, and expertise
- • Broader participant reach
- • Industry validation
- • Resources to conduct more comprehensive analysis
Partnership Tiers
Tier 3: Research Partner (Premium)
Investment Required:
- Complete survey participation
- Significant resource contribution (data access, tool licenses, expert interview time)
- Financial support ($2,000-$5,000)
- Active promotion to your audience
Benefits:
- Premium Logo Placement (250x100px, above-the-fold)
- Official Research Partner Designation & Custom Badge
- Featured Spotlight Section
- Early Access (60 days before public release)
- Joint Press Release & Speaking Opportunity
- Dofollow Backlink from academic .study domain
Estimated ROI: $7,500+ value
Tier 2: Research Supporter (Standard)
Investment Required:
- Survey participation (recommended)
- In-kind resource contribution (tool/data access for 3-6 months)
- Expert interview (1-2 hours)
- Promotion to email list/social media
Benefits:
- Logo Placement (150x60px)
- Company Description (2-3 sentences)
- Dofollow Link to your website
- Research Supporter Badge
- Early Access (30 days before public release)
Estimated ROI: $2,000+ value for ~$200-$500 in-kind
Tier 1: Research Participant (Entry)
Investment Required:
- Complete survey (60-90 minutes)
- Optional: Participate in follow-up interview
Benefits:
- Listed on Research Contributors Panel
- Recognition as Research Participant
- Access to Research Findings upon publication
- 1-Line Company Description
Estimated ROI: $500+ value for 60-90 minutes
Partner Benefits
Academic Credibility
Third-party validation, thought leadership, citation-worthy research, permanent academic archive listing.
SEO & Backlink Value
Dofollow link from .study domain, content marketing opportunities. Estimated value: $500-$2,000/year.
Target Audience Access
120+ qualified SEO professionals, international reach, decision makers with tool budgets.
Market Intelligence
Early access to findings, AI adoption patterns, competitive intelligence. Similar research costs $5,000-$10,000+.
Target Audience Profile
Who Completes the Survey?
- Role: SEO Specialists, Managers, Technical SEO, Consultants
- Experience: 2-20+ years in SEO
- Geography: 40% Romania, 30% Western Europe, 30% Global
- Company Type: Agencies (40%), In-house (35%), Freelance (25%)
- Decision Authority: 60%+ have tool purchasing influence
Value to Partners
These are highly qualified leads who already use SEO tools, are actively seeking AI transformation solutions, have budget authority, and will receive your brand message in a high-trust academic context.
Next Steps
- Review This Prospectus: Understand partnership tiers and benefits
- Schedule Discovery Call: 15-30 minute conversation to discuss fit
- Review Partnership Agreement: Legal terms and expectations
- Finalize Contribution: Determine specific resources/support
- Launch: Announcement of partnership
Timeline
- Now - December 2025: Partnership recruitment
- January - March 2026: Data collection
- April 2026: Data analysis
- May 2026: Thesis submission + partner early access
- June 2026: Public release of findings
Contact Information
Researcher: Robert Eduard Antal
Bachelor Candidate, Babeș-Bolyai University
Email: robert.eduard.antal@stud.ubbcluj.ro
Website: https://agenticseo.study
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Dorin Spoaller, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences
FAQ
Is this a sponsorship or advertising?
No. This is an academic research partnership. Partners provide resources to advance research but have no control over findings or conclusions.
Will the research be biased toward partners?
No. This research is conducted under university ethics guidelines. Partners are disclosed transparently, but findings are completely independent.
What if I don't have budget for Tier 3 partnership?
That's fine! Tier 2 (in-kind resources) and Tier 1 (just participate in survey) require no financial investment.
Can I see the survey before deciding?
Yes! We're happy to share the 93-item Career Resilience Calculator so you can understand what participants will experience.
Will I own the data?
No. Research data is owned by the university. However, partners get early access to aggregate findings (not individual responses, which are confidential).