Top 20 SEO Influencers and Voices to Follow [2025]

Topic: SEO
Published: Jul 21
Written by: Liz Biscevic

In a world where search engines, AI, and content trends evolve faster than you can say “algorithm update,” staying ahead in SEO isn’t optional — it’s survival. Whether you’re an SEO pro, content marketer, entrepreneur, or just SEO-curious, following the right experts can give you insights, experiments, news, and even a little entertainment to help navigate the ever-changing search landscape.

We’ve curated this Top 20 SEO Influencers of 2025 list to spotlight thought leaders who shape the conversation across technical SEO, content strategy, link building, and search innovation. These are the people to follow if you want real-time insights, expert commentary, and practical strategies that work now — not five years ago.

Top SEO Experts to Follow in 2025

We have listed our top SEO experts by alphabetical order below:

AJ Ghergich

A digital marketing veteran, AJ shares sharp insights on content marketing, SEO strategy, and the future of search, especially around AI-driven content. His feed mixes data-backed opinions with humor and thought leadership.

Aleyda Solís

An award-winning international SEO consultant, Aleyda runs Orainti, hosts Crawling Mondays on YouTube, and writes the SEOFOMO newsletter. She’s a technical SEO expert, especially around international sites, and shares practical audits, strategies, and frameworks that work globally.

Barry Schwartz

Editor of Search Engine Roundtable and a Search Engine Land veteran, Barry is the unofficial town crier of SEO news. He breaks Google updates, summarizes algorithm chatter, and keeps the industry informed. If you want to know what just changed in search, Barry’s your follow.

Brian Dean

Founder of Backlinko (now part of Semrush), Brian built his reputation on high-quality, practical SEO guides and link-building strategies. Though he posts less frequently these days, his insights on content marketing, ranking strategies, and YouTube SEO remain essential resources.

Carrie Rose

Founder of Rise at Seven, Carrie has built a reputation for creative, viral digital PR campaigns that drive links and brand awareness. She’s a key voice at the intersection of SEO and PR, showing how to win backlinks with creativity, not just outreach.

Charles Floate

A fearless voice in black-hat and affiliate SEO circles, Charles shares aggressive link-building strategies, PBN experiments, and money-site tactics. Not for the faint of heart, but fascinating if you want to understand the edge of SEO.

Cyrus Shepard

Former Moz strategist and founder of Zyppy, Cyrus is beloved for simplifying complex SEO ideas. He shares insights on site structure, SEO experiments, content optimization, and ranking signals — always with a dose of humor and sharp visuals.

Danny Sullivan

A longtime journalist turned Google Search Liaison, Danny provides a rare bridge between Google and the SEO community. His posts help clarify search updates, dispel myths, and offer transparency (as much as Google allows). Follow him to get official Google context — often before the rumor mill spins out.

Glenn Gabe

President of G-Squared Interactive, Glenn is the go-to for forensic SEO analysis. He dissects algorithm updates, core update impacts, and site recoveries with charts, case studies, and detailed breakdowns that help SEOs understand what’s happening behind traffic changes.

Harry Sanders

Founder of StudioHawk, Harry is a young SEO star from Australia shaking up the global scene. Known for no-nonsense advice, agency insights, and link-building expertise, he shares a fresh, entrepreneurial take on SEO today.

James Dooley

James is a well-known figure in affiliate SEO and digital real estate, specializing in building and monetizing sites at scale. His posts cover niche site strategies, affiliate marketing tips, and real-world case studies.

John Mueller

Google Search Relations’ straight-talking voice, John is known for answering SEO questions on X and Reddit with humor, empathy, and sometimes cryptic wisdom. His insights help SEOs understand how Google views crawling, indexing, and site health.

Joost de Valk

Founder of Yoast SEO, Joost has been a driving force behind making SEO accessible for WordPress users worldwide. He shares thoughts on open-source SEO, plugin development, technical site health, and where SEO fits in a rapidly evolving web.

Kevin Indig

SEO advisor and growth expert, Kevin has led SEO and growth at major companies like Shopify and G2. He shares deep insights on growth loops, technical SEO, SaaS strategy, and how organic search drives business impact in today’s digital landscape.

Lily Ray

VP, SEO Strategy & Research at Amsive, Lily is the industry’s go-to voice on Google’s E-E-A-T updates, algorithm volatility, and search quality. She shares research, case studies, and commentary on how Google’s focus on expertise and trust is reshaping rankings.

Marie Haynes

Known for her expertise in Google penalties, E-E-A-T, and algorithm recovery, Marie runs Marie Haynes Consulting and the Search News You Can Use newsletter. She’s essential for anyone dealing with traffic drops or trying to improve site quality.

Matt Diggity

Founder of Diggity Marketing and Affiliate Lab, Matt is an affiliate SEO powerhouse. He shares tested tactics, case studies, and experiments on ranking, monetization, and Google’s evolving landscape — plus YouTube videos for those who prefer visual learning.

Rand Fishkin

Moz co-founder and SparkToro CEO, Rand is SEO’s philosopher-king. He focuses on audience intelligence, ethical marketing, and challenging platform power. Expect sharp insights, bold opinions, and transparent conversations about search, social media, and the future of marketing.

Stephan Spencer

Co-author of The Art of SEO, Stephan is a technical SEO consultant and speaker who bridges big-picture strategy and deep technical know-how. Follow him for advanced SEO, e-commerce optimization, and insights into scalable enterprise SEO.

Vanessa Fox

Creator of Google Webmaster Tools (now Search Console) and author of Marketing in the Age of Google, Vanessa offers a thoughtful perspective on how search shapes user behavior and business strategy. Her experience bridges product, SEO, and technology.

Runners-Ups: Up and Coming SEO Experts to Watch

The SEO world is packed with brilliant minds beyond just the top 20. Here are ten additional experts making waves in 2025 — from technical SEO and digital PR to affiliate marketing and community building.

Ann Smarty

A long-time SEO practitioner and content marketing expert, Ann is the founder of Viral Content Bee and a prolific writer. She shares hands-on advice on blogging, content strategy, and building meaningful online communities.

Areej Abuali

Founder of Women in Tech SEO, Areej is a respected technical SEO consultant and community leader. She shares actionable technical insights while championing diversity, support, and knowledge-sharing in the industry.

Chris Green

A technical SEO specialist and educator, Chris shares smart takes on site architecture, analytics, and solving complex SEO puzzles. His posts often mix sharp humor with actionable advice for SEOs at every level.

Craig Campbell

A long-time affiliate SEO and digital marketer, Craig is known for no-nonsense advice, training, and live streams. He’s especially prominent in black-hat and affiliate marketing circles, sharing what works (and what doesn’t) at the tactical level.

Dixon Jones

An industry veteran and former Majestic marketing director, Dixon is known for his expertise in link data, topical authority, and knowledge graphs. He’s a key voice when it comes to understanding how search engines interpret context and relevance.

Jamie Indigo

Jamie is a technical SEO consultant celebrated for her expertise in crawling, indexing, and site architecture. She’s also a passionate advocate for inclusivity in tech, making her voice stand out both technically and socially in the SEO world.

Karl Hudson

Known for his work in local SEO and automation, Karl offers practical advice on scaling local campaigns, automating reporting, and finding efficiencies in SEO workflows.

Kasra Dash

A prominent voice in affiliate SEO and automation, Kasra is known for pushing the boundaries with innovative tools, systems, and black-hat experiments. He’s a fascinating follow if you want to understand the cutting edge (and sometimes gray areas) of SEO.

Loren Baker

Founder of Search Engine Journal, Loren has been a driving force in SEO publishing and community education for years. He curates insights from across the industry and is a go-to figure for SEO news, trends, and expert roundups.

Tim Soulo

Chief Marcketing Officer at Ahrefs, Tim combines deep product expertise with sharp marketing strategy. He’s a big advocate for doing SEO at scale, and his posts blend hands-on experiments, data-driven insights, and product updates.

Stay Curious, Stay Connected

The best way to stay ahead is by learning from the voices shaping the future. Whether you’re after tactical insights, algorithm updates, or fresh takes on content strategy, the experts on this list are worth keeping in your feed.

Know someone we missed? We’re always discovering new voices. Tag us on Linkedin or drop us an email at hello@clearscope.io — we’d love to hear who’s on your radar.

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