Locating the best SEO expert in 2025 is more significant than ever since search optimization has grown nowhere near as simple as it used to be.

My extensive research and evaluation of the industry’s most respected professionals has led to this comprehensive guide. The impact and methodology of professional SEO experts can vary dramatically. Neil Patel stands out with his impressive following of 4.44 million across platforms and 663,000 Google citations. Barry Schwartz runs the popular Search Engine Land website and has earned recognition from US Search Awards.

The best SEO professionals combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of their audience and never stop learning. Their knowledge spans from technical audits to content strategy, and they adapt swiftly to algorithm changes. Marie Haynes’s expertise shines in specific areas like website quality and backlink audits. Many top experts have gained recognition in prestigious publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Forbes.

Now let’s head over to our thoroughly researched list of 8 top SEO experts who deliver measurable results in 2025.

Comparison Table

Expert	Current Role	Key Areas of Expertise	Notable Achievements	Starting Price	Unique Philosophy/Approach
Aleyda Solis	Founder, Orainti	International SEO, Technical Audits, Mobile-first SEO	Moz Associate, Speaker at SMX/BrightonSEO/Pubcon, Creator of Crawling Mondays	$5,000 (audits), $2,500-$10,000/month	Strong technical foundation with content that serves users before search engines
Barry Schwartz	CEO RustyBrick, News Editor at Search Engine Land	Search Engine Journalism, Industry Updates	Search Personality of the Year 2018, Writer of 40,000+ articles, Outstanding Community Services Award 2019	Not specified	Quality content takes priority over technical tricks
Eric Siu	Founder, Single Grain	Digital Marketing, Tech/Software SEO, A/B Testing	Turned $2 agency purchase into major success, 120M+ podcast downloads	Enterprise level	Search optimization across platforms, programmatic SEO methods
Matt Diggity	CEO LeadSpring, Founder of multiple SEO businesses	Technical SEO, Affiliate Marketing, Testing	16 years experience, Featured in Forbes/Entrepreneur	Not specified	Scientific testing methods, analytical insights
Cyrus Shepard	Founder, Zyppy	Quality Assessment, Technical SEO	Previous Head of SEO at Moz, Google Quality Rater experience	Not specified	Brand building comes before traditional SEO tactics
Mike King	CEO, iPullRank	Technical SEO, Enterprise Solutions	Search Marketer of the Year 2020, Generated $4B+ in client revenue	Enterprise level	Creative approach backed by deep technical knowledge
Stephan Spencer	Founder, Netconcepts (sold)	Enterprise SEO, Technical Implementation	Author of multiple O’Reilly books, Creator of GravityStream	$15,000/month	E-E-A-T focused, empowering clients to take control
Glenn Gabe	Founder, G-Squared Interactive	Algorithm Analysis, Technical Audits	27+ years experience, Algorithm update specialist	Not specified	“Kitchen sink approach” to SEO remediation

1. Aleyda Solis

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Aleyda Solis is one of the most respected figures in the SEO industry. She delivers exceptional results for clients worldwide. As an international SEO consultant, her influence reaches beyond her home country of Spain.

Background of Aleyda Solis

Aleyda started her SEO trip more than a decade ago. She worked with startups before founding her own consultancy, Orainti. Her career grew through client work and authority in the field. She created Crawling Mondays, a YouTube show about technical SEO topics, and developed several SEO tools including the Local SEO Tool and SEO News.

She’s a former member of the Moz Associate program and speaks often at major industry conferences like SMX, BrightonSEO, and Pubcon. Industry publications recognize her achievements, and she has earned multiple search award nominations throughout her career.

What Makes Aleyda Solis Stand Out

Aleyda’s unique blend of technical expertise and strategic vision sets her apart from other SEO experts. She excels in international SEO and has helped businesses grow their digital presence across multiple countries and languages.

Her approach combines:

Deep technical auditing with practical implementation plans
Content optimization strategies for multilingual audiences
Mobile-first SEO techniques addressing core web vitals
Detailed migration planning for enterprise-level sites

Aleyda’s clear communication style helps clients understand the what and why behind specific strategies for their unique situations.

Aleyda Solis’s SEO Philosophy

Aleyda believes SEO must arrange with broader business objectives. She supports creating real value for users while maintaining technical excellence.

Her philosophy rests on three main principles:

Technical foundation must be flawless before content optimization begins
Content should serve user needs first, search engines second
Data should guide every decision to remove guesswork from the process

“I’ve always believed that sustainable SEO success comes from understanding both the technical aspects and the human elements of search,” she emphasizes in her workshops and presentations.

Aleyda Solis’s Pricing & Availability

You need to plan ahead to hire Aleyda as your SEO expert because of her limited availability. Her consultancy services start at $5,000 for original audits. Ongoing consultation packages range from $2,500 to $10,000 monthly based on project complexity.

She offers several affordable options to learn from her expertise:

SEO consultation sessions (usually booked 2-3 months ahead)
Online courses through various platforms
Free resources via her newsletter “SEO Bits”

Aleyda works remotely with businesses worldwide. Her calendar fills up fast, so reach out well before your intended project start dates.

Prepare detailed information about your current situation, goals, and challenges to get the most value from working with a top SEO expert like Aleyda. This helps her provide targeted recommendations from day one of your engagement.

2. Barry Schwartz

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Barry Schwartz stands out as a key figure among professional SEO experts because of his journalistic contributions to the SEO community. His knowledge helps professionals guide through Google’s changing digital world.

Background of Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz started his digital trip at the time he was just 14 years old. He founded RustyBrick in 1994. His career spans web development and search engine journalism. He graduated from the City University of New York (Baruch College) with Summa Cum Laude honors in 2002. He then founded Search Engine Roundtable on December 2, 2003.

Barry leads RustyBrick as CEO, a New York-based web service firm that specializes in customized online technology. He also works as the News Editor at Search Engine Land, after his time at Search Engine Watch. His career includes writing about 40,000 articles about search engine developments.

What Makes Barry Schwartz Stand Out

Barry’s exceptional dedication to its coverage of industry changes sets him apart from other top SEO experts. He writes between five and ten stories each day to keep the SEO community updated about Google’s latest updates and algorithm changes.

The industry recognizes his contributions:

Won “Search Personality of the Year” at the US Search Awards in 2018
Earned the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land in 2019
Made it to the top 50 most influential PPCer list by Marketing O’Clock in 2023

His extensive network of connections stands out even more. He interviewed many Google Search executives and served as an advisor for major search engines like Google, Yahoo! Search, and Microsoft’s Bing.

Barry Schwartz’s SEO Philosophy

Barry’s approach centers on a simple philosophy: “Write great content that people want to read and share with their friends and their colleagues”. He promotes focusing on content quality instead of technical tricks.

“People in the SEO space are just too in the weeds,” Barry points out. Technical details matter but shouldn’t overshadow what drives results. His three main tips to improve website rankings are simple:

Write amazing content
Share the content publicly
Be consistent and patient—results take time

Barry takes a practical view of industry changes, especially with AI advances: “The only way to be an SEO is to love change”. He urges professionals to adapt to new technologies early rather than fear disruption.

Barry Schwartz’s Pricing & Availability

Barry offers search marketing consultation services through RustyBrick. He also provides SEO expert witness services for consultancy and testifying.

RustyBrick’s website has a search marketing consultation page where you can learn about rates and engagement processes, though specific pricing isn’t public.

You can also learn from Barry through:

His daily articles on Search Engine Roundtable
His contributions to Search Engine Land
His talks at major search conferences including Search Marketing Expo, PubCon, and Search Engine Strategies

His years of experience in web strategy, marketing, and business optimization make him valuable to businesses that need strategic SEO guidance backed by decades of industry knowledge.

3. Eric Siu

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Eric Siu exemplifies entrepreneurial ingenuity in the SEO world. He turned a failing SEO agency worth just $2 into a digital marketing powerhouse. His remarkable story shows how persistence and strategic vision can transform challenging situations into extraordinary success.

Background of Eric Siu

The year 2014 marked a turning point when Eric Siu bought Single Grain, a struggling SEO agency, for just $2. The company faced bankruptcy. Google’s algorithm changes had made the agency’s work ineffective overnight. Eric transformed this seemingly lost cause with just one employee into a thriving digital marketing agency that now serves major brands.

Eric leads the digital marketing agency Single Grain and has created tools like Karrot ABM and ClickFlow. His two popular podcasts, Marketing School with Neil Patel and Leveling Up, have generated over 120 million downloads. Before his business success, Eric struggled academically and socially but excelled as a serious high-level eSports and poker player. These gaming experiences later translated into valuable business skills.

What Makes Eric Siu Stand Out

Eric sets himself apart from other SEO experts through his diverse skill set and impressive client roster. He has helped major companies like Amazon, Uber, Airbnb, and Salesforce bring in more customers.

His standout qualities include:

An omnichannel marketing approach that goes beyond traditional SEO
Knowing how to transform failing businesses into growth engines
Experience working specifically with technology and software companies
Creation of SEO A/B testing software that can make “six to seven to eight-figure difference” for large websites

Eric uses his gaming background by applying concepts like resilience, communication, and teamwork to business challenges. “Really life is a game. Business is a game is just puzzles that you have to solve every single day,” he explains.

Eric Siu’s SEO Philosophy

Long-term thinking and adaptability form the core of Eric’s SEO philosophy. He emphasizes that anything worthwhile needs sustained effort—often two to three decades of dedication. His approach to SEO has evolved substantially:

Content marketing as an omnichannel strategy rather than just blogging
Relationship building beyond just acquiring links
Building audiences before monetization
Focus on community development for retention

Eric has moved toward what he calls “search everywhere optimization” instead of traditional SEO. He supports programmatic SEO—creating pages in bulk to target specific keywords—which has worked well for many of his clients. Quality matters more than quantity in his approach, especially after Google’s helpful content updates affected many websites.

Eric Siu’s Pricing & Availability

Eric’s specific service pricing remains private, but potential clients can tap into his expertise through multiple channels. Businesses working directly with Single Grain should expect enterprise-level pricing suitable for major brands they typically serve.

More affordable options include:

Insights through his Marketing School podcast with Neil Patel
The Leveling Up podcast featuring interviews with successful entrepreneurs
Free content across YouTube, LinkedIn, and other social platforms
The Agency Owners Association community for agency professionals

Eric’s transformation of a failing company into a digital marketing powerhouse shows why he ranks among the top SEO experts in 2025.

4. Matt Diggity

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Matt Diggity has become one of the most influential figures in technical SEO. His engineering mindset and passion for testing sets him apart from other consultants who rely on gut feelings. He applies scientific methods to every aspect of search optimization.

Background of Matt Diggity

Matt’s experience in SEO started from an unexpected place. He earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering from U.C.S.D and started his career at a Silicon Valley startup selling microchip development software. This technical foundation became a vital part of his future success. His demanding 60-hour work weeks helped him develop three essential skills: creating precise testing methods, maximizing productivity, and delivering outstanding customer service.

Reading “The Four Hour Work Week” inspired Matt to explore SEO during his evenings. A company acquisition gave him financial independence through stock options, which allowed him to leave his corporate job to focus on affiliate marketing. He started with Amazon Affiliates and ClickBank products in the health niche.

Matt founded Diggity Links in 2012. His service remained untouched when Google targeted PBN networks aggressively in 2014—none of his sites were deindexed. He teamed up with two colleagues to expand affiliate operations, serving as Director of SEO Operations before becoming CEO of LeadSpring.

Matt now runs several thriving businesses:

Diggity Marketing (SEO agency and blog)
LeadSpring LLC (affiliate marketing)
The Search Initiative (client SEO services)
The Affiliate Lab (detailed SEO course)
Chiang Mai SEO Conference (industry event)

What Makes Matt Diggity Stand Out

Matt’s scientific approach to optimization distinguishes him from other top SEO experts. Rather than accepting common beliefs, he runs controlled experiments to discover what actually works. This approach comes directly from his engineering background, where he learned to design accurate tests, examine results objectively, and eliminate false positives.

Over the last several years, prominent publications like Forbes and Entrepreneur have recognized Matt’s expertise. His knowledge of affiliate SEO provides exceptional value to businesses looking for passive income through commissions.

His peers regard him as “one of the most effective SEOs” who “brings clarity to the noisy SEO world”.

Matt Diggity’s SEO Philosophy

Matt builds his SEO strategy on three core elements: technical excellence, strategic link building, and high-quality content. His dedication to testing everything instead of accepting industry assumptions truly defines his approach.

His content strategies aim to answer user questions clearly and directly. He methodically tests which link types boost rankings instead of following trends. This disciplined approach helps him stay steady during algorithm updates while others worry, often seeing improved rankings after competitors drop off.

Matt suggests new SEO practitioners should target long-tail keywords as their original goals. He also recommends a 6-9 month timeline for “profit hunting” with new sites and focusing on evergreen niches.

Matt Diggity’s Pricing & Availability

Matt provides several options to work with him. While he doesn’t publicly share specific pricing, his services include:

One-on-one coaching sessions that create mutual learning opportunities
Consulting services through his companies
The Affiliate Lab course (though it’s reportedly closing down)
Free educational content on the Diggity Marketing blog

Matt takes a unique approach to coaching. Instead of giving direct instructions, he helps clients develop their problem-solving skills. “My goal is that you should only need one consulting session before you’re able to fly on your own,” he explains.

Matt’s multiple business ventures and expertise make him highly sought after. Interested clients should plan ahead to secure time with him.

5. Cyrus Shepard

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Cyrus Shepard, the former Head of SEO at Moz and founder of Zyppy, brings a unique insider’s point of view to the SEO industry. He stands out as one of the few professional SEO experts who worked as an official Google Quality Rater.

Background of Cyrus Shepard

Cyrus Shepard’s SEO experience began in 2009 when he taught himself HTML and CSS while creating websites. He found the power of optimization and landed his first client—his wife’s company. Their revenue grew substantially after his involvement. His career took off when he joined SEOmoz (now Moz) in 2010. He started in customer service and rose to become Chief SEO Strategist. After Moz’s acquisition, he pursued his dreams by founding Zyppy SEO. He earned his degree from the University of Southern California.

What Makes Cyrus Shepard Stand Out

Cyrus offers exceptional insights from his time as a Google Quality Rater, which sets him apart from other top SEO experts. This role helped him understand how Google reviews websites. He has worked with clients of all sizes—from Fortune 500 companies to local brick-and-mortar businesses. His peers praise his knack for explaining complex SEO concepts in simple terms.

He has written many influential resources, including “Inbound Marketing and SEO” (Wiley), “How to Rank,” and parts of “The Beginners Guide to SEO”. His analytical mindset shines through Zyppy’s evidence-based studies, such as research on how Google seems to penalize ‘good’ SEO and analysis of 23 million internal links.

Cyrus Shepard’s SEO Philosophy

Cyrus’s approach focuses on brand building over traditional SEO tactics. “Google is rewarding brands rather than keywords,” he notes, suggesting a transformation in optimization focus.

His core principles include:

Creating content valuable enough that “people want to steal it”
Putting experience first and showing expertise in subject matter
Living by “exceptionalism”—aiming for exceptional work instead of adequate results

Of course, his point of view on link building stands out: “Everybody hates link building. Link building is so hard,” he admits. He recommends passive link building through exceptional content creation.

Cyrus Shepard’s Pricing & Availability

Cyrus provides various consultation options to clients. His 45-minute mini-consultations include about 90 minutes of site analysis preparation. While he doesn’t publicly share specific pricing, interested clients can reach him directly through the Zyppy website.

Businesses can also learn from his expertise through:

Zyppy SEO consulting services for companies of all sizes
His evidence-based SEO software tools
Free content in blog posts and studies

6. Mike King

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Mike King stands out as one of the best SEO experts in the field, combining his technical expertise with a creative background in hip-hop. His unique perspective helps him solve complex search challenges for enterprise clients.

Background of Mike King

Mike’s experience started with a Microsoft internship during his high school years. He studied Computer Science at Howard University and later pursued his passion as an independent hip-hop artist. His music took him across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Life took an unexpected turn in 2006 when a bike accident pushed him toward his first SEO role to cover medical expenses.

Mike gained valuable experience at major agencies like Razorfish and Publicis Modem before launching iPullRank. His work has generated over $4 billion in revenue for his clients. He leads iPullRank as CEO and has taken ownership of UndergroundHipHop.com, a well-respected music blog with a twenty-year legacy.

What Makes Mike King Stand Out

Mike’s recognition as the 2020 Search Engine Land Awards Search Marketer of the Year showcases his position as a top SEO expert. His unique value comes from blending technical depth with creative thinking.

Mike excels through:

Deep knowledge of information retrieval and natural language processing
Knowing how to turn complex concepts into clear strategies
Creating innovative tools like Keyword-Level Demographics and Quantum Lead
Working with major brands such as American Express, HSBC, and SAP

Mike King’s SEO Philosophy

Mike sees many SEOs focusing too much on links while overlooking vital on-page factors. He supports deep technical understanding as search algorithms evolve: “We’ve lost our way as SEOs… bringing back this technical layer is eye-opening”.

His approach focuses on how search engines interpret text beyond basic keyword density. Mike shows that smart text analysis techniques can sometimes work better than link building, which explains why pages with fewer backlinks sometimes outrank their heavily-linked competitors.

Mike King’s Pricing & Availability

iPullRank works with enterprise and mid-market companies worldwide. The agency specializes in technical SEO, content strategy, and generative AI, focusing on e-commerce, financial services, and media/publishing sectors.

Professionals can learn from Mike through his upcoming book “The Science of SEO”. He regularly speaks at conferences where he breaks down complex search concepts into practical strategies.

7. Stephan Spencer

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Stephan Spencer, an early internet pioneer with scientific roots, brings precision to the SEO industry. His decades of hands-on experience and published research shape optimization practices worldwide.

Background of Stephan Spencer

Stephan earned his Master’s in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He founded Netconcepts in 1995 and built it into a multinational SEO agency with offices in the US and New Zealand before selling it to Covario in 2010. His invention, GravityStream, became a groundbreaking pay-for-performance SEO technology platform. Spencer wrote three O’Reilly books including “Google Power Search” and co-authored “The Art of SEO” and “Social eCommerce”. He now hosts two weekly podcasts—Marketing Speak and Get Yourself Optimized—while serving major clients like Zappos, Sony, and Chanel.

What Makes Stephan Spencer Stand Out

Spencer stands out from other top SEO experts because he knows how to turn complex technical concepts into practical business strategies. His deep expertise covers:

Technical SEO implementation without IT resources
Optimization strategies for large-scale, dynamic websites
Advanced search techniques that reveal competitor insights
Enterprise-level SEO for major retail brands

Spencer’s scientific background gives him a unique analytical approach that few professional SEO experts can match.

Stephan Spencer’s SEO Philosophy

Spencer supports being “the captain of your own ship” in SEO instead of just reacting to algorithm changes. His core philosophy focuses on E-E-A-T—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. He believes in appearing “undeniably credible to both humans and AI without sounding braggadocious”. Spencer suggests that SEO strategies need 5-12 months to show full results.

Stephan Spencer’s Pricing & Availability

Spencer’s consulting retainers begin at $15,000 monthly. He carefully chooses clients who commit to implementation and become success references. Professionals can also learn from his detailed online courses, membership site, and free resources like his SEO BS Detector download.

8. Glenn Gabe

Glenn Gabe has earned his nickname as the “algorithm update detective” by tracking and analyzing Google’s most complex changes. His analytical insights have become invaluable to companies that face unexpected traffic fluctuations.

Background of Glenn Gabe

Glenn Gabe started his journey in 1995 by developing web applications before Google existed. His 27-year career includes leadership roles both in-house and at global agencies. He launched G-Squared Interactive LLC in 2001 to help companies make use of emerging technologies for marketing. Before this venture, he worked as Vice President and Director of Search Strategy at MRM Worldwide. There, he spearheaded search initiatives for major clients like the US Army and Exxon Mobil.

What Makes Glenn Gabe Stand Out

Among top SEO experts, Glenn’s strength comes from his algorithm update expertise. His services include:

Algorithm update recovery for sites with traffic drops
Detailed technical SEO audits
SEO guidance for website redesigns and migrations
Customized SEO training via bootcamps

His analytical methods have helped companies in publishing, e-commerce, health, finance, and education sectors. He shares his knowledge through his blog “The Internet Marketing Driver” and video podcast “SEO From The Front Lines”.

Glenn Gabe’s SEO Philosophy

Glenn’s core methodology revolves around what he calls the “kitchen sink approach” to remediation. He promotes fixing all potential quality issues instead of cherry-picking changes. Sites that make major improvements usually recover and stay strong. He suggests starting with highly visible pages because Google collects most user interaction signals there.

Glenn Gabe’s Pricing & Availability

People looking to hire SEO expert services can choose from Glenn’s consulting and training options. His SEO Bootcamp program teaches essential topics to business owners, marketers, and developers. While he doesn’t publicly share specific pricing, his technical expertise proves especially valuable for complex recovery situations.

Conclusion

The right SEO expert can boost your online presence and help your business grow. Looking at these eight industry leaders, each one brings something special to search engine optimization. Aleyda Solis shines in international SEO with her technical expertise. Barry Schwartz keeps everyone up to date about industry changes in his coverage. Eric Siu took a failing agency and turned it into a powerhouse by using his gaming background to solve business challenges. Matt Diggity’s scientific testing methods make him stand out, and Cyrus Shepard shares great insights from his time as a Google Quality Rater.

These experts have different styles but share key traits. They all have deep technical knowledge, adapt well to search updates, and focus on creating real value. Mike King combines creative thinking with data precision. Stephan Spencer uses methods from his science background, and Glenn Gabe has become the go-to expert for algorithm updates.

SEO changes faster than ever, which makes expert guidance more valuable today. You need to pick a specialist that matches what you need, whether it’s technical audits, content strategy, or recovering from algorithm hits. Ready to improve your SEO strategy with professional help? Book a consultation with Leapsly – Digital Marketing Agency to talk about your challenges and goals.

These top SEO experts of 2025 show that good optimization needs both technical skills and strategic thinking. Their work proves that lasting results come from understanding search engines and users alike, creating value that surpasses algorithm updates. My tip? Look at which expert’s approach matches your business goals before you decide.

FAQs

Who is considered the top SEO expert globally in 2025?

There isn’t a single “best” SEO expert worldwide, as different professionals excel in various aspects of SEO. The article highlights 8 top experts including Aleyda Solis, Barry Schwartz, Eric Siu, and others, each with unique strengths and approaches to search engine optimization.

Is investing in SEO still worthwhile in 2025?

Yes, SEO remains a valuable investment in 2025. As search engines continue to evolve, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses. The experts mentioned in the article emphasize the importance of adapting to algorithm changes and focusing on creating high-quality, user-focused content.

What are some key SEO trends predicted for 2025?

Some key SEO trends for 2025 include deeper search personalization, an increase in AI-generated content (making quality stand out more), growing importance of sustainability and ethical branding, and search expanding beyond traditional engines like Google.

How is AI expected to impact SEO practices in 2025?

AI is predicted to play a significant role in SEO by 2025. It will likely be used more for content generation, making it crucial for businesses to focus on creating high-quality, original content that stands out. SEO experts will need to adapt their strategies to work alongside AI tools effectively.

What skills should aspiring SEO professionals focus on developing for 2025?

Aspiring SEO professionals should focus on developing a mix of technical and creative skills. This includes understanding technical SEO, content creation, data analysis, and staying updated with algorithm changes. Additionally, knowledge of AI, user experience, and brand building will be valuable in the evolving SEO landscape of 2025.