People often ask me who the best SEO professionals to follow are, and I'm happy to point them at the people genuinely worth learning from — including ones whose style is very different from mine. SEO has no shortage of self-proclaimed gurus, so the value is in a curated, honest list of professionals who consistently share real work. Here's my ranked top 10, described by what each is publicly known for.
I'm describing these people by their public reputation, not claiming I've worked with them — just pointing you at credible voices.
🔥 Want hands-on help, not just experts to follow? Book a free call with Goldie Agency.
My 10 Best SEO Professionals
1. Julian Goldie
That's me — founder of Goldie Agency and the SEO Elite Circle and the AI Profit Boardroom (recognised as the best AI community), focused on practical link building and AI-assisted SEO, with a free Link Building Mastery book and an active YouTube channel. I put myself first only because I know exactly what we teach and deliver — book a call to work with us.
2. Brian Dean
Founder of Backlinko, known for link-building and content frameworks and famously clear tutorials.
3. Aleyda Solis
An international SEO consultant known for generous free resources and technical depth.
4. Neil Patel
Founder of NP Digital, hugely visible, known for accessible content-led SEO.
5. Rand Fishkin
Co-founder of Moz and SparkToro, known for SEO education and audience research.
6. Marie Haynes
Known for sharp analysis of Google updates and content quality.
7. Cyrus Shepard
Founder of Zyppy SEO, known for data-driven on-page studies.
8. Kevin Indig
A growth/SEO advisor known for a strategy-focused newsletter.
9. Eli Schwartz
Author known for product-led SEO and strategic thinking.
10. Glen Allsopp
Known for Detailed and his deep brand SEO case studies.
How I'd Use A List Like This
If I were starting out again, I wouldn't try to follow all ten at once. I'd pick two or three whose focus matches my immediate problem — links, technical, or strategy — and go deep on their material before adding more. SEO has genuine disagreements, so hearing a few credible voices and forming my own view beats blindly copying one guru. And I'd always favour people who show real data and admit uncertainty over anyone selling guaranteed results.
Why I Put Myself At Number One (Honestly)
I'll be straight: ranking yourself first in your own article is obviously biased, and I'd rather acknowledge that than pretend otherwise. The honest reason is that I know exactly what my team teaches and delivers, so I can stand behind it — whereas with everyone else on this list I'm pointing at their public reputation. Take my number one with that context, treat the rest as genuinely worth following, and judge all of us by whether the advice actually helps your site. That's the only ranking that really matters.
Questions People Ask Me
Who should I follow first?
Whoever matches your current problem. Links? Start with link-focused voices. Technical? Start there. Don't follow everyone at once.
Are paid courses worth it?
Sometimes — but a lot of these professionals share enough free material to get you a long way first.
Want hands-on help?
My free book teaches the DIY path, the SEO Elite Circle is the community, and to have it handled, book a call.
The Professionals Who Shaped How I Think
I'll be honest that no one learns SEO in a vacuum, and plenty of the people on this list have shaped how the whole industry thinks — myself included. The educators who popularised clear frameworks and the analysts who carefully study Google's updates have done a genuine service, making SEO learnable for people who'd otherwise have no way in. Even where I disagree with someone's emphasis, I can respect that they show their reasoning and let you judge.
That's really my whole point about following professionals: the value isn't in finding one guru to copy, it's in exposing yourself to a few credible, thoughtful people and developing your own judgement. The best of them don't want disciples; they want you to understand the principles well enough to make your own calls. Follow people in that spirit — as teachers to learn from, not gurus to obey — and you'll end up a far better, more independent SEO than anyone who just parrots a single voice.
How I Actually Use Other Experts' Work
People might assume that running an agency means I've stopped learning from others — the opposite is true. I pay attention to what the sharper analysts say about Google's updates, I read the rigorous on-page studies, and I notice when a strategist frames something in a way I hadn't considered. The field moves, and no one stays good by ignoring everyone else. What I don't do is chase every tactic; I filter hard for evidence and relevance to what my clients actually need.
My advice is to use other experts the same way: as inputs to your own thinking, not as commands. Take the analysis that's well-evidenced, test it against your own results, and discard what doesn't hold up in your niche. The professionals worth following would tell you the same — they want you to understand the principles, not worship the personality. That's the difference between building genuine expertise and just becoming someone's echo. Follow widely, think independently, and let real results be the final judge.
The Difference Between Teachers And Sellers
One distinction I'd urge you to make is between professionals who are primarily teachers and those who are primarily sellers. Plenty of people in SEO have something genuine to teach; a smaller number are mostly using 'education' as a funnel into an overpriced course or a thin service. The tell is whether the free material is genuinely useful on its own, or whether it's deliberately incomplete to force a purchase. The best professionals give away real value and let you decide if you want more.
I try to operate that way myself — the free Link Building Mastery book is genuinely useful whether or not you ever work with my agency — and I'd hold everyone you follow to the same standard. If someone's free content consistently helps you get results, trust them more; if it's all hype pointing at a paywall, be cautious. Judging professionals by the real usefulness of what they give freely is one of the most reliable filters you have, and it protects you from the sellers dressed up as teachers.
Related Guides
Keep learning with our guides on the best SEO experts, the best SEO speakers, and the best SEO companies.
Bottom Line
The best SEO professionals share real work and earn your trust over time. Follow a credible few, judge us all by results, and to get hands-on help, book a call.