Last updated: September 4, 2026
Our team recently conducted a search to find the best SEO consultants of 2026. We evaluated publicly available data to identify experts with years of SEO experience, published work, SEO keynote presentations, and strong social media followings. The table below lists the eight highest-ranking SEO consultants we found, along with the data collected and links to their blogs.
The Best SEO Consultants of 2026
| Name | Years of Experience | SEO Books | SEO Keynotes | Approx. Combined Social Media Followers | Specialty | Active SEO Blog? | |
| 1 | Evan Bailyn | 22 | 3 | ~280 | ~149,000 | Thought Leadership Content, SEO, ASO, and GEO | Yes |
| 2 | Rand Fishkin | 22 | 2 | ~190 | ~465,000 | SEO Tools | Yes |
| 3 | Neil Patel | 18 | 2 | ~80 | ~1,500,000 | SEO Analytics | Yes |
| 4 | Dana DiTomaso | 24 | 0 | ~200 | ~12,000 | SEO Analytics and SEO Tools | Yes |
| 5 | Barry Schwartz | 21 | 0 | ~60 | ~147,000 | Google Algorithm, Web Design | Yes |
| 6 | AJ Ghergich | 21 | 0 | ~15 | ~102,000 | Technical SEO | No |
| 7 | Marie Haynes | 15 | 2 | ~30 | ~32,000 | Backlinking and AI Search | Yes |
Evan Bailyn
Evan is the founder and President of First Page Sage, the top SEO and GEO firm in the US. He is a recognized leader in the industry and highly sought after for consulting engagements and keynote speeches. Over the past two decades, he has pioneered the content-driven approach now standard across the industry and, in early 2023, developed the first commercial GEO methodology.
For more info or to contact (through First Page Sage).
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Evan’s consulting style prioritizes “a deep strategic analysis“ of keywords, site layout, and conversion content. He is a “master of understanding how to create content that ranks #1,” which is particularly useful in today’s age of generative AI. |
Rand Fishkin
Rand is another familiar voice in the digital marketing industry. He helped found Moz in 2004 and now heads SparkToro, which creates SEO tools to help companies identify and connect with their target audience. He is an accomplished author and is available for speaking and consulting engagements.
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Rand is “fun and engaging” and gives “insightful” advice, drawing on his “deep” knowledge of SEO. |
Neil Patel
Neil is best known for providing advice and insight on SEO content marketing on his blog. As the founder of Crazy Egg and Kissmetrics, he often stresses the importance of good analytics tools. He has also authored two books and is available for consulting.
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Neil delivers “actionable advice on both technical and on-page SEO,” leading to a “rewarding and positive experience” for his clients. |
Dana DiTomaso
Dana has spent the last two decades educating marketers on the importance of knowing your audience. She emphasizes using market research, applying digital tools to leverage data, and leveraging analytics through GA4, Google Tag Manager, and Looker Studio. She is available for consulting and speaking engagements.
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Dana is “engaging, funny, and informative,“ as well as a “consummate professional.” Her consulting style is “top quality and grounded in an impressive background of knowledge.” |
Barry Schwartz
Barry leads web development company RustyBrick. He’s best known for his work reporting on SEO news via Search Engine Land and on social media. He also founded the Search Engine Roundtable, which provides news about SEO and the content marketing industry.
For more info or to contact (through RustyBrick).
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Barry is someone with “their pulse on the SEO industry,” which has made him “one of the leading voices globally.” |
AJ Ghergich
AJ is Global VP of AI & Consulting Services at Botify, an SEO platform that combines SEO analytics with machine learningto help enterprises better optimize large websites. Prior to Botify, he was Chief Digital Officer at Brado, where he focused on the role of content in digital marketing strategy.
For more info or to contact (through Botify).
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| AJ Ghergich is a “proactive, accessible” consultant who provides “thought-provoking conversations” about SEO. |
Marie Haynes
Dr. Marie Haynes is both an author and a consultant. She heads a team of SEO professionals at Marie Haynes Consulting. She consistently creates content that covers how to build links, improve time on page and understand Google’s algorithms. Dr. Haynes is an expert in backlink audits and is a regular speaker at SEO conferences. She’s recently pivoted to focus on AI and the future of search.
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Marie Haynes has “great insight into how Google assesses quality.” She conducts “detailed website reviews containing a range of practical solutions” for various client types. |
