Web Content & AI Search Optimization Intern

About the Marketing Department: The Backroads Marketing team is powered by strong collaborators, visionaries and creative minds who bring decades of knowledge and experience to showcase the fun-filled seamless adventures our guests love. You’ll be bringing your imagination, strong work ethic and critical eye for detail to a dedicated group of team members who are passionate about sharing the joys of active travel with both returning guests and brand-new audiences. The department is comprised of several teams, which include the below:* Direct Mail & CRM: Engages past and prospective guests through targeted email campaigns and personalized direct mail, leveraging data to drive bookings and loyalty.

• PR & Partnership: Builds brand awareness and credibility through media outreach, strategic partnerships and influencer collaborations to expand Backroads’ reach.
• Website Management: Oversees the website’s content, functionality and user experience to ensure seamless navigation, accurate information and optimized conversion.
• Brand, Content, Community: Responsible for the creative design, content and social media presence for the Backroads brand.

By joining the Marketing team at Backroads, you’ll be part of a group that values building innovative people processes and fostering a positive, inclusive employee experience. About the Role: The Web Content & AI Search Optimization Intern will support the Backroads Web & Content teams, advancing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and emerging AI Engine Optimization (AEO) strategies. As search behavior continues to evolve through AI-powered discovery tools, this role will help ensure Backroads content is structured, optimized and discoverable across both traditional search engines and AI-driven experiences. In this role, you will work closely with Web, Content and other Marketing stakeholders to help optimize trip pages, blog content and topic-specific site experiences. You’ll assist with identifying opportunities to improve topical coverage, implement structured enhancements such as FAQs, and ensure content aligns with best practices for SEO and AEO. You’ll also support blog publishing workflows and play a key role in improving our image optimization process by managing assets within our Digital Asset Management (DAM) system. This internship offers hands-on experience working on a high-traffic, content-rich travel website, exposure to modern SEO and AI-search strategies, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to how travelers discover Backroads online. What You’ll be Doing:* Support execution of Backroads’ SEO and AI Engine Optimization (AEO) strategy across the website

• Assist with identifying and implementing AEO tactics, such as:
  • Adding and optimizing destination/trip-specific FAQs on Trip Pages
  • Ensuring Trip Pages are well-structured around priority topics
  • Helping assess content gaps and opportunities to strengthen topical authority
• Help publish and update blog content in the CMS, ensuring posts are optimized for SEO and AEO best practices
• Conduct on-page SEO optimizations, including metadata, headings, internal linking and content formatting
• Collaborate with the Web team to QA live pages and ensure content accuracy and consistency
• Support image optimization workflows by:
  • Uploading and organizing images in the Digital Asset Management (DAM) system
  • Ensuring images meet naming, sizing and metadata standards
  • Helping maintain image quality, organization and accessibility
• Assist with documentation and tracking of optimization tasks and progress using spreadsheets or project tools
• Learn and apply SEO/AEO best practices in a real-world, high-impact environment

What You’ll Need to be Successful:* Currently enrolled at an accredited university or college

• Strong interest in SEO, content optimization, AI-powered search or digital marketing
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to learn new tools, systems and concepts quickly
• Clear written communication skills and comfort working with content
• Proactive mindset with the ability to take initiative and ask thoughtful questions
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively with a team
• Familiarity with spreadsheets and basic productivity tools (Excel, Google Sheets or similar)
• Bonus (not required):
  • Exposure to SEO concepts, CMS platforms or digital asset management systems
• Interest in travel, outdoor adventure or the Backroads brand and mission

Work Environment:* On-Site, Berkeley, CA

• 4 days in-office, 1 day work from home
• Full time, 40 hours per week
• Summer internship from early May - mid August

Interview Process:* Recruiter Screen (30-minutes)

• Hiring Manager Video Interview (30-minutes)
• Department or Team Lead Video Interview (15-20 minutes)

About Backroads: At Backroads we’re passionate about connecting our guests with so many of the most beautiful places in the world. We use our four-plus decades of expertise to create exceptional biking, hiking, and multi-adventure trips in over 50 countries for people wanting a deeper and richer travel experience. We travel on land as well as by small luxury ships on active river and ocean cruises. Our trips are for all ages – including dedicated itineraries just for families. We are known for our unwavering attention to quality. We have a dynamic work environment and a strong company culture. Why Backroads: At Backroads, we value every single member of our staff, and we’re proud to offer a dynamic work environment that enables growth. Your colleagues will be some of the most dedicated, competent, active, and fun people you will ever meet. A job at Backroads is unlike any other job you will ever have – you will be challenged, you will be inspired, and you will be gratified. No matter what you do here, you will be part of something that makes us all proud – delivering authentic, enriching, and often profoundly life-changing experiences. On top of all that, we have some pretty great benefits and perks! For example our US office employees receive:* Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match, flex plan, and parental leave
• Generous paid time off, 8 paid holidays, and additional time off to go on Backroads trips!
• Complimentary trips and trip discounts for employees, and trip discounts for employees’ friends and family!
• Outdoor industry discounts and deals
• Alternative commuter incentives for biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transportation to get to work
• Wellness programs and regular lunchtime bike rides and yoga

Backroads is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Salary Ranges: $23.08 - $28.85 At Backroads, we uphold a commitment to transparency and fairness within our hiring process, particularly regarding compensation. The salary range posted for each role applies to both employment offers and employees actively working in the role. New hires are typically offered a starting salary between the minimum and midpoint of the range to ensure there is continued opportunity for salary progression during your employment at Backroads, reflecting our commitment to rewarding ongoing dedication, high performance, and significant contributions to our team. This approach not only supports our budgeting strategy but also our intention to foster an environment that encourages long-term growth and strong relationships between Backroads and our valued employees. Our office roles are onsite in our Berkeley headquarters, unless specifically noted as 'available for remote'. We do allow one work-from-home day a week, as well as one work-from-anywhere week per year. This pay range is intended for in-person work in our Berkeley, CA headquarters. Pay ranges for remote-eligible roles will be subject to adjustment based on the geolocation of the employee.

FROM OUR FOUNDER

I can't imagine a better way to travel the world than under your own power and in the company of like-minded adventurers. Sure, Backroads provides superb accommodations and meals, amazing Trip Leaders and unforgettable local encounters. But whether you’re sticking with the group or breaking off on your own, all of our planning and support are ultimately aimed at one simple thing: giving you the flexibility you need to discover the world on your own terms. Tom Hale, Founder & President