Thank you for sharing your perspective on the interview process. There are a few points I want to address directly because important context appears to have been missed. We would not and do not ask any candidate to perform free or spec work. The audit assignment given during the final stage of our Senior Analyst interview is never conducted on a Searchbloom partner-client. We intentionally select unaffiliated domains so the exercise functions purely as a demonstration of skill. The output is reviewed internally for evaluation purposes only, is never used commercially, and is never shared with any partner-client. For a Senior SEO Specialist role, the ability to scope an audit, prioritize technical and on-page findings, and present strategic recommendations is the core of the job itself. Asking finalists to demonstrate that capability before an offer is how we assess whether someone can perform at the level the role requires. This applies to every candidate at this stage, and it reflects the responsibility the position carries for partner-client outcomes. I understand the rubric and the structure can feel demanding, and that is intentional. The senior bar at Searchbloom is high because the work is high stakes, and we hold every finalist to the same standard. I appreciate the time you invested in the process and wish you the best in your search. Cody Jensen Founder & CEO, Searchbloom