Best AEO Strategies 2026 (Based on Data and Anecdotes)
AEO Strategy Guide (2026): 32 Ways to Optimize for AI Search Every SEO client I have, as well as every
Best AI SEO (AEO) Speakers and Influencers in 2026
The world of search is undergoing its most significant transformation in a decade. The rise of AI-driven search, including Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), is reshaping how users find information and how brands achieve visibility. Staying ahead requires learning from the experts who are not just observing these changes but actively shaping the strategies to navigate them. This guide profiles the most essential speakers and influencers who are defining the future of search in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- This list serves to spotlight the most innovative, the most helpful, and the most entertaining marketing speakers and influencers specializing in AI SEO and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), also known as GEO or LLMO. Despite any constructive criticism we may include in our reviews, every speaker and influencer included in this list is an excellent choice for speaking engagements, markeitng conferences, in-person workshops, and consultations.
- “Legendary” SEO speakers include long-time veterans like Rand Fishkin, Annie Cushing, and Aleyda Solis who are still putting out innovative SEO studies and useful information.
- “Main Event” speakers and influencers are the modern day A-listers of the industry, such as Lily Ray and Mike King. You may not recognize them, but if you work in SEO, you have probably consumed their content or used one of their free templates at some point.
- “Rising Stars” are the AEO/SEO experts that have been watched and reviewed by Cairrot’s cofounders live at a marketing event. We’ve determined that these experts are on their way to A-list status within the SEO community as long as they continue appearing at top events and publishing content.
- “Up & Comer” AEO/SEO experts include personalities like Connor Kimball (Cairrot Cofounder) and Matthew Bertram (Host of the Best SEO Podcast). These influencers have limited speaking appearances as of January 2026, but are well known for their private AI SEO workshops and free resources shared on social media.
- Many of these AEO/SEO speakers are already scheduled to appear at major marketing events in 2026, including SEO Week, Tech SEO Connect, BrightonSEO, Chiang Mai SEO Week, SEO Spring Training, and more
Table of Contents
How We Ranked Our Top SEO/AEO Speakers and Influencers
To curate this list, we established distinct criteria for speakers and influencers, recognizing that while their expertise may overlap, their primary contributions to the community differ.
Our criteria for a top AEO or AI SEO Speaker focused on their impact at industry events. We selected individuals who consistently deliver forward-thinking, data-backed presentations at major conferences like SEO Week, BrightonSEO, and Tech SEO Connect. A great speaker doesn’t just present information; they synthesize complex topics, provide actionable frameworks, and inspire audiences to adapt to new search paradigms. We prioritized those with proven expertise in AEO, GEO, and enterprise-level strategy.
In other words, our chosen AEO/SEO speakers:
- Have proven themselves to be dynamic, entertaining speakers.
- Consistently appear at most talked about SEO events, both US and international conferences.
- Always provide valuable information in the form of slide shows and free tools for the audience.
- Are known for spending time with attendees during and after marketing events.
For a top SEO Influencer, our criteria centered on the value and consistency of their public-facing content. We looked for experts who actively publish original research, field observations, and practical guides on platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and personal blogs. An essential influencer is one who fosters discussion, challenges conventional wisdom, and provides a reliable stream of insights that help marketers make better, more informed decisions in their daily work.
In summary, our top AEO/SEO influencers:
- Share free resources (that actually have AEO value) on their social media.
- Actively publish content on some combination of LinkedIn, YouTube, Meta, TikTok, X, and/or TikTok.
- Do not overuse AI to generate their content and frequently interact with their viewers (we value authentic human interactions
Top SEO and AEO Speakers for Marketing Events in 2026
| Speaker | Key Specialty | Current Role | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aleyda Solís | International SEO & AI Search | Founder, Orainti | SEO Week, BrightonSEO |
| Mike King | Relevance Engineering & GEO | Founder & CEO, iPullRank | SEO Week (Founder) |
| Ross Hudgens | Content Marketing at Scale | CEO, Siege Media | MozCon, SEO Week |
| Garth O'Brien | Enterprise SEO & AI Strategy | Director & Head of SEO, Chewy | SMX Advanced, C3 |
| Lily Ray | Algorithm & AI Overview Analysis | VP, SEO Strategy, Amsive | Tech SEO Connect |
| Paul Shapiro | Advanced Technical SEO | Product Manager, Uber | TechSEO Boost (Founder) |
| Jessie Henry | Next-Gen SEO (AEO/GEO) | Senior Manager, Digital Strategy, UPMC | Conductor's C3 Conference |
| Josh Blyskal | AI Search Research & AEO | Head of AI Strategy, Profound | Tech SEO Connect |
| Bryan Casey | Enterprise Growth Systems | VP, Digital Channels, IBM | Tech SEO Connect |
| Jamie Indigo | Technical SEO for LLMs | Founder, Jamie Indigo SEO | Tech SEO Connect |
| Jori Ford | AI Crawler Experiments | Co-founder, Octopus Labs | Tech SEO Connect |
| James Cadwallader | Agent Experience (AX) | Co-founder, Profound | SEO Week |
| Elias Dabbas | Python for SEO & Data Science | Creator, advertools | Data science meetups & workshops |
| Brie E. Anderson | Digital Marketing Analytics & ROI Optimization | Owner, BEAST Analytics Co. | MozCon, Social Media Examiner events |
| Dr. Ricardo Baeza-Yates | Search Algorithms & AI Data Science | Chief Scientist, Theodora AI | AI conferences, SEO Week |
| Ray Grieselhuber | Enterprise AEO/SEO & Data Analytics | Founder & CEO, DemandSphere | Pubcon, Ad:Tech |
| Dawn Anderson | Technical SEO & Information Retrieval | Founder, Bertey | International SEO conferences |
| Devin Bramhall | B2B Content Marketing & Growth Strategy | Fractional Chief Growth Officer | Content marketing events |
| Serge Bezborodov | Technical SEO & AI Internal Linking | Co-founder & CTO, JetOctopus | Tech SEO Connect, SEO Week |
| Rachel Anderson | SEO Analytics & Crawl Optimization | Founder, Startup Women NC | Tech SEO Connect, SEO Week |
| Bianca Anderson | Conversion-Focused SEO & Organic Growth | Manager of Organic Growth, Hims & Hers | SEO Week |
| Rand Fishkin | Audience Research & Zero-Click Search Analysis | Founder & CEO, SparkToro | SEO Week, BrightonSEO, MozCon |
Each speaker has been reviewed in detail in the following section. This list does not include AEO/SEO influencers and experts online, who are listed at the end of this article.
Mike King (iPullRank)
Mike King is a visionary marketing technologist and the founder of iPullRank. He is a prominent figure in the SEO/AEO/GEO community, known for coining the term “Relevance Engineering” and for his deep dives into how AI and machine learning are fundamentally changing search.
Marketing Specialties
- Relevance Engineering
- AI Search & Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
- Technical SEO
- Enterprise SEO Strategy
Notable Work Experience
As the Founder and CEO of iPullRank, a leading content marketing agency, Mike has driven significant organic search results for clients. He is a former hip-hop artist who transitioned his creative and technical skills into marketing. He was named the 2025 Search Marketer of the Year by Search Engine Land.
Events That Mike Has Spoken At
- SEO Week (Founder)
- MozCon
- Found Conference (DemandSphere)
- Digital Summit
- Numerous international marketing conferences
Reasons We Recommend Mike King
Mike doesn’t follow trends, he sets the trend. His strategic and technical playbooks for AI Mode and GEO provide a clear roadmap for the future, making him a must-see speaker for anyone serious about next-generation SEO.
Mike’s meteoric rise in 2026, fueled by his inaugural SEO Week event and a generational run of international event appearances, makes him an easy choice for the most impactful AEO/SEO speaker of 2025. Hype is building for the second SEO Week scheduled in April of 2026, and we expect Mike’s value as an SEO event speaker to continue growing.
Aleyda Solís
A globally recognized SEO consultant, Aleyda Solís is a leading voice on the international stage. In fact, Aleyda’s free guides and checklists for International SEO and Ecommerce SEO were used by Cairrot’s Cofounder Connor Kimball with great success during his time leading inbound marketing/demand generation teams at AVOXI. Her work focuses on adapting SEO strategies for new search formats, including AI and voice search, with a strong emphasis on user-centric content and cross-cultural optimization.
Marketing Specialties
- International SEO
- AI Search Optimization (AEO/GEO)
- E-commerce SEO
- Technical SEO
Notable Work Experience
Aleyda is the founder of Orainti, an international SEO consultancy, and the creator of the popular SEOFOMO newsletter. She also hosts the Crawling Mondays podcast. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked with a wide range of multinational clients and startups and has authored several SEO books.
Events That Aleyda Has Spoken At
- SEO Week (New York City)
- BrightonSEO
- Tech SEO Connect
- Found Conference (DemandSphere)
- SMX Advanced & SMX West
Reasons We Recommend Aleyda Solís
Aleyda’s ability to distill complex international and technical SEO challenges into actionable checklists is unmatched . On top of that, she’s been grinding it out at marketing events for so many years that SEO veterans and newcomers will recognize her. For any event focused on global markets or the future of AI search, Aleyda’s deep, versatile knowledge makes her an indispensable speaker.
Lily Ray
Lily Ray is a highly respected SEO strategist and researcher, widely known for her in-depth analysis of Google’s algorithm updates and their impact on organic visibility. She brings over 15 years of experience to her role, leading a large team and advising clients from small businesses to Fortune 50 enterprises.
Marketing Specialties
- SEO Strategy & Research
- Google Algorithm Update Analysis
- AI Overviews and Citation Analysis
- Enterprise SEO
Notable Work Experience
As the Vice President of SEO Strategy and Research at Amsive, Lily oversees a team of over 35 SEO professionals. Her practical experiments and data-driven takes on AI’s impact on search are widely shared and respected throughout the industry.
Events That Lily Has Spoken At
- Tech SEO Connect
- SEO Week
- BrightonSEO
- SMX
- Industry webinars and panels
Reasons We Recommend Lily Ray for Speaking Events
Lily provides some of the most practical and deeply researched analysis on the effects of AI on search results. Her talks are essential for any marketer trying to understand the real-world impact of AI Overviews and other generative features. We also believe marketing should be fun, and Lily Ray exemplifies this – she mixes her marketing work with regular DJ appearances and promotes healthy lifestyles for office workers. As one of the biggest AEO and SEO influencers of 2025, she is set to continue her exciting run in 2026.
On top of that, Lily Ray is the first SEO/AEO expert that Connor Kimball ever followed on X, so she gets extra respect points from us.
Jori Ford
Jori Ford is a technical SEO and data analyst known for her scientific approach to understanding search engine behavior. She conducts empirical experiments to uncover how AI crawlers interact with websites, advocating for a data-driven, test-everything mindset.
Marketing Specialties
- Technical SEO & Crawler Optimization
- AI-Driven Search Experiments
- Hybrid Engine Optimization
- Data Analysis for SEO
Notable Work Experience
Jori has a background in software engineering and is the co-founder of Octopus Labs, a company focused on technical SEO optimization. She developed the concept of “Hybrid Engine Optimization,” which prioritizes presence in “agent-led discovery” over traditional rankings alone.
Events That Jori Has Spoken At
- Tech SEO Connect 2025 (Talk: “Beyond Googlebot: Evidence-Based Retrieval Experiments with AI Crawlers”)
- SEO Week
- BrightonSEO
- Found Conference
Reasons We Recommend Jori Ford
Jori’s forward-thinking, experimental approach provides a glimpse into the future of technical SEO. Her talks are perfect for advanced practitioners who want to understand and optimize for how AI agents and crawlers actually work.
At SEO Week 2025, Jori taught Connor Kimball the value of tracking crawls from AI/LLM bots, which inspired him to make a free WordPress plugin that would allow people to track their LLM visibility without manually creating the required reports from server log files. We also love her SEO presentations, which often feature colorful characters and anime references.
Ross Hudgens
Ross Hudgens is a recognized leader in organic growth, specializing in creating data-driven content strategies that scale. As the CEO of Siege Media, he focuses on evolving SEO tactics to adapt to changing user behavior and the rise of AI.
Marketing Specialties
- Content Marketing at Scale
- Enterprise SEO
- Data-Driven Content Strategy
- Organic Growth
Notable Work Experience
Ross founded Siege Media in 2012, growing it into an award-winning agency that has served global brands like Adidas, Airbnb, and Healthline. With over 15 years in the industry, his work blends analytics with compelling storytelling to create content that ranks and engages.
Events That Ross Has Spoken At
- SEO Week
- BrightonSEO
- SMX Advanced
- MozCon
- Content Marketing World
Reasons We Recommend Ross Hudgens
Ross provides highly anticipated, actionable takeaways on content and SEO tactics. His keynote at SEO Week 2025 on the future of SEO in an AI-driven landscape highlighted the importance of brand strength, a crucial message for today’s marketers.
Ross’ presentation from SEO Week 2025 was highly praised by Connor Kimball on LinkedIn.
Annie Cushing
Annie Cushing is a renowned expert in making complex data accessible and actionable, with a strong focus on analytics, technical SEO, and the evolving role of AI in marketing. Through her consultancy Annielytics, she helps brands transform raw data into beautiful, insightful visualizations and strategies that drive real business impact.
Marketing Specialties
- Data Visualization & Dashboard Design
- AI Strategy & Engineering
- Technical SEO Audits
- Web Analytics Implementation & Optimization
- Machine Learning for Marketing Insights
Notable Work Experience
Annie founded Annielytics, where she provides consulting in AI, analytics, data visualization, and SEO for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. Known for her comprehensive site audit checklists (with over 200 checkpoints) and tools like her popular SEO audit templates, she has been a go-to expert for data-driven marketers for over a decade. Her work includes building interactive AI apps, custom dashboards in tools like Tableau and Plotly, and streamlining data pipelines with modern frameworks. Annie is also the author of Making Data Sexy, a guide to creating stunning visualizations in Excel.
Events That Annie Has Spoken At
- SEO Week 2025: The Hype, the Hubris, and the Hard Lessons of AI Development
- MozCon
- Pubcon
- SMX
- SearchLove
Reasons We Recommend Annie Cushing as an aI SEO Speaker
Annie delivers sharp, no-nonsense insights that cut through AI hype while highlighting practical applications and pitfalls. Her SEO Week 2025 talk masterfully balanced enthusiasm for AI’s potential (like medical breakthroughs and language preservation) with critical warnings about transparency, costs, and overhyped benchmarks—essential perspective for SEOs navigating AI-overviews and generative search. Attendees praise her engaging, visually rich presentations and actionable advice on turning data into strategic advantages.
Elias Dabbas
Elias Dabbas is an SEO Data Scientist who is bridging the gap between SEO and programming. He is best known as the creator of `advertools`, a widely used open-source Python package designed for SEO and SEM analysis and automation.
Marketing Specialties
- Python for SEO
- SEO Data Science
- Advertising Analytics
- Automation
Notable Work Experience
A self-taught programmer with a business school background, Elias created advertools to empower marketers with data science capabilities. His work has had a significant impact on the technical SEO community by making advanced analysis more accessible.
Elias wrote a book on building interactive data apps and dashboard (Interactive Dashboards and Data Apps with Plotly and Dash) available for free online.
Events That Elias Has Spoken At
- SEO Week (The Rise of the SEO Data Scientist)
- FOUNDConf in Tokyo
- Various data science and marketing meetups
- Online workshops and tutorials
Reasons We Recommend Elias Dabbas
Elias is a key figure for the growing number of SEOs who are embracing programming. His work demonstrates the power of combining data science with search marketing, and his talks are invaluable for anyone looking to upskill in this direction.
The quality of his work was more than enough to qualify Elias for this exclusive list. But his social skills and his passion for helping marketers embrace technical skills like Python are what make him one of Cairrot’s favorite experts to follow. Connor Kimball observed Elias working overtime during SEO Week 2025 to help young marketers implement Advertools for their SEO projects, which proved to us that Elias is “one of the good guys.”
Brie E. Anderson
Brie E Anderson is an analytical marketing strategist who excels at turning data into actionable insights. She positions herself as a strategic analytics partner for growing businesses, helping them optimize for ROI.
Marketing Specialties
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Data-Driven Strategy
- ROI Optimization
Notable Work Experience
Brie is the owner of BEAST Analytics Co., where she helps marketing leaders achieve data-driven growth. She is known for being an “analytical nerd with a soft spot for strategy.”
Events That Brie Has Spoken At
- MozCon
- Social Media Examiner events
Reasons We Recommend Brie E Anderson
Brie’s expertise is crucial for any team that wants to ensure their SEO and marketing efforts are measurable and effective. Her talks provide clear frameworks for translating analytics into successful strategies.
Dr. Ricardo Baeza-Yates
Dr. Ricardo Baeza-Yates is a world-renowned research scientist, technical advisor, and speaker with deep expertise in AI, search technology, and data science. He offers a highly academic and scientific perspective on the evolution of search engines and AI/LLM platforms.
Dr. Ricardo is prolific researcher specializing in information retrieval (which is what we are all optimizing for as AEO/SEO experts). As of January 5, 2026, his academic studies have been cited 59,409 times.
Marketing Specialties
- Search Technology & Algorithms
- AI & Data Science
- Semantic to Predictive Search
Notable Work Experience
Dr. Baeza-Yates is the Chief Scientist at Theodora AI, a startup he founded. His extensive career includes research and advisory roles that have shaped our understanding of search. He has lived and worked in Chile, Canada, Catalonia, and California, bringing a global perspective to his research.
Events That Dr. Ricardo Has Spoken At
- Academic and industry conferences on AI and Web Search
- SEO Week
Reasons We Recommend Dr. Ricardo Baeza-Yates
For a deep, scientific understanding of where search is headed, Dr. Baeza-Yates is an unparalleled authority. His talks on the transition from semantic to predictive search provide a foundational context for the changes we see today.
Ray Grieselhuber
With a history in SEO dating back to 2006, Ray Grieselhuber is a veteran of the industry and a leader in the enterprise SEO space. He views SEO as a union of strategy, product management, data, and AI.
Marketing Specialties
- Enterprise AEO/SEO
- AI Search Optimization
- Data Analytics
Notable Work Experience
Ray is the Founder and CEO of DemandSphere, a Y Combinator-backed enterprise SEO platform. He also co-founded Functionize, an AI testing automation startup. His work has been featured in Forbes and TechCrunch.
Events That Ray Has Spoken At
- Pubcon
- Ad:Tech
- Slush Finland
Reasons We Recommend Ray Grieselhuber
Ray’s extensive experience and leadership in the enterprise platform space give him a unique, high-level perspective on the market. His talks are ideal for understanding the intersection of SEO, AI, and product development at an enterprise scale.
Garth O'Brien
A seasoned enterprise SEO leader, Garth O’Brien has a proven track record of scaling organic search success for global brands. He specializes in integrating AI and advanced data strategies into large-scale SEO programs to drive business growth.
Marketing Specialties
- Enterprise SEO
- AI Search Strategy
- Global SEO
- E-commerce SEO
Notable Work Experience
With over 20 years of experience, Garth has led enterprise SEO teams at GoDaddy and Epic Games. He currently serves as the Director and Head of SEO & AI Search at Chewy, where he guides the company’s strategy in competitive online retail. He has been instrumental in driving over $2 billion in organic search revenue for various brands since 2015.
Events That Garth Has Spoken At
- SMX Advanced
- Conductor’s C3 Conference
- BrightonSEO
- Tech SEO Connect
- Digital Summit
Reasons We Recommend Garth O’Brien
Garth’;s insights are invaluable for large enterprises looking to implement effective AI SEO strategies. He excels at explaining how to align SEO with core business objectives and foster the cross-functional collaboration needed to succeed at scale.
James Cadwallader
James Cadwallader is a forward-thinking expert on the future of search, focusing on what comes after traditional SEO. He introduced the concept of Agent Experience (AX) to describe the new challenge of optimizing for AI agents.
Marketing Specialties
- Agent Experience (AX)
- Answer Engines & AI Agents
- Zero-Click Search Optimization
Notable Work Experience
As the Co-Founder of Profound, James is at the forefront of redefining visibility and relevance for an AI-driven search landscape. He argues that traditional SEO will become obsolete in the emerging “;agentic internet.”
Events That James Has Spoken At
- SEO Week 2025
Reasons We Recommend James Cadwallader
James offers a provocative and essential look at the long-term future of search. His concept of Agent Experience is a critical framework for any marketer planning for a world beyond today’s search engine results pages.
Dawn Anderson
Dawn Anderson is an international speaker and technical SEO consultant based in Manchester, UK. Her expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of information retrieval and integrating SEO with broader digital marketing channels.
Marketing Specialties
- Technical SEO
- Information Retrieval
- Website Audits & Migrations
- Search Strategy
Notable Work Experience
Dawn is the founder of Bertey, an SEO consultancy and digital marketing agency. She provides enterprise-level SEO consulting and is a respected educator in the field.
Events That Dawn Has Spoken At
- Various international SEO and marketing conferences
Reasons We Recommend Dawn Anderson
Dawn brings a strong technical and academic rigor to her SEO practice. Her talks are excellent for audiences looking for a deep, foundational understanding of how search engines work and how to apply that knowledge strategically.
Paul Shapiro
Known as a “technical marketer,”; Paul Shapiro specializes in solving complex, large-scale SEO challenges. His unique background spans both marketing and engineering, giving him a holistic perspective on developing data-driven marketing products and strategies.
Marketing Specialties
- Advanced & Technical SEO
- Data-Driven Marketing
- SEO Product Management
- AI in SEO Workflows
Notable Work Experience
Paul has held senior technical SEO and product management roles at major tech companies, including Uber (Product Manager, Web Intelligence) and Shopify (Head of Technical SEO Product Management). He is also the founder of TechSEO Boost, the first conference dedicated to technical SEO, and hosts the Performance SEO Unpacked podcast.
Events That Paul Has Spoken At
- Tech SEO Connect
- SMX Advanced & SMX Munich
- SEO Week
- Found Conference
Reasons We Recommend Paul Shapiro
Paul is a key figure for anyone focused on the technical underpinnings of SEO. His presentations offer practical, data-driven advice on scaling SEO programs and integrating AI, drawing from his experience at the forefront of tech innovation.
Jessie Henry
Jessie Henry is an award-winning SEO strategist focused on next-generation search technologies and user-centric optimization. She is a leading voice in AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and how brands can secure visibility in AI-generated responses.
Marketing Specialties
- Next-Gen SEO (AEO/GEO)
- Search Everywhere Strategy
- Healthcare SEO
- Data-Driven Digital Strategy
Notable Work Experience
Jessie is the Senior Manager of Digital Strategy at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), where she leads digital content optimization for the large healthcare system. Her experience also includes leading SEO initiatives at the American Marketing Association (AMA) and DemandSphere.
Events That Jessie Has Spoken At
- Conductor’s C3 Conference (2025 Panelist: “The Master Class: AEO and GEO for Enterprise Marketers”)
- SEO Week
- Found Conference
- BrightonSEO
- Tech SEO Connect
Reasons We Recommend Jessie Henry
Jessie serves as a crucial bridge between traditional SEO and the emerging field of AEO. Her talks emphasize the need for marketers to pivot their metrics and strategies to account for AI, making her a vital speaker for understanding the practical shifts required today.
Bryan Casey
Bryan Casey is a digital marketing leader focused on building “growth systems” that integrate SEO, content, and other channels for sustainable, large-scale growth. He has deep expertise in aligning SEO with business objectives at the enterprise level.
Marketing Specialties
- Enterprise SEO & Growth Systems
- Digital Strategy
- Content Ecosystems
- Inbound Marketing
Notable Work Experience
As the Vice President of Digital Channels at IBM, Bryan leads the company’s inbound marketing program, overseeing SEO, content marketing, and digital analytics. With over 15 years at IBM, he has played a key role in transforming its digital marketing approach and significantly improving its organic search performance.
Events That Bryan Has Spoken At
- Tech SEO Connect (Keynote: “From Deck to Dev: Getting SEO Recommendations Shipped at Enterprise Scale”)
- SMX Advanced
- Digital Summit
Reasons We Recommend Bryan Casey
Bryan’s experience at IBM makes him an authoritative voice on implementing scalable SEO strategies in massive organizations. His talks are particularly valuable for marketers looking to integrate SEO with product and content teams effectively.
Devin Bramhall
Devin Bramhall is a leading voice in B2B content marketing and growth strategy. She challenges traditional marketing approaches, advocating for strategies that grow revenue and build stronger customer relationships.
Marketing Specialties
- B2B Content Marketing Strategy
- Growth Strategy
- Revenue Generation
Notable Work Experience
Devin is a fractional Chief Growth Officer and the author of the book “B2B Content Marketing Strategy.” She hosts the popular podcast Don’t Say Content, where she discusses modern approaches to marketing.
Events That Devin Has Spoken At
Reasons We Recommend Devin Bramhall
Devin’s perspective is vital for B2B SEOs who need to connect their content efforts directly to revenue. Her talks provide a strategic framework for moving beyond basic content creation to building a true growth engine.
Connor Kimball reviewed her presentation at SEO Week 2025 and noted that she was one of the best SEO speakers focusing on content.
Jamie Indigo
Known for her deep knowledge of web infrastructure, Jamie Indigo is a technical SEO expert who focuses on building websites that maximize crawlability and indexability. She is a strong advocate for maintaining a robust technical foundation as a prerequisite for success in the AI search era.
Marketing Specialties
- Technical SEO
- Web Infrastructure & Crawlability
- AI Search Optimization for LLMs
- Structured Data
Notable Work Experience
With over a decade of experience in SEO and web development, Jamie founded Jamie Indigo SEO to provide technical SEO consulting and training. Her background in software engineering allows her to translate complex technical concepts into practical, actionable advice for marketers.
Events That Jamie Has Spoken At
- Tech SEO Connect 2025 (Talk: “Trashcat’s Guide to Black Boxes: Technical SEO Tactics for LLMs”)
- SMX Advanced & SMX Munich
- BrightonSEO
Reasons We Recommend Jamie Indigo
Jamie’s engaging presentations demystify the technical side of SEO. She provides concrete examples of how technical improvements lead to better search performance, making her an essential speaker for any team looking to strengthen their site’s foundation.
Serge Bezborodov
Serge Bezborodov is a technical SEO expert specializing in solving complex challenges for large websites. As the co-founder and CTO of JetOctopus, he is recognized for his innovative techniques in data analysis and optimizing internal linking structures at scale.
Marketing Specialties
- Technical SEO for Large Websites
- AI in SEO (e.g., AI Internal Linking)
- Crawler Optimization
- Data Analysis
Notable Work Experience
Serge is the co-founder and CTO of JetOctopus, an advanced SEO crawler and log analysis platform. With a background in programming, he has deep expertise in handling the unique SEO challenges of enterprise sites with millions of pages.
Events That Serge Has Spoken At
- Tech SEO Connect (Talk: “AI Internal Linking for E-commerce Websites”)
- SEO Week
- BrightonSEO
- Found Conference
Reasons We Recommend Serge Bezborodov
Serge offers cutting-edge, practical solutions for some of the biggest challenges in technical SEO. His work on using AI for internal linking is a hot topic, making his sessions invaluable for e-commerce and other large-scale websites.
Rachel Anderson
While not a traditional SEO specialist, Rachel Anderson is a leadership trainer and growth strategist whose expertise complements the field. She focuses on how to measure, scale, and lead SEO efforts effectively through data-driven processes and human-centric leadership.
Marketing Specialties
- Leadership Training for Technical Teams
- Growth Strategy
- SEO Analytics & Measurement
- Crawl Optimization
Notable Work Experience
Rachel is the founder of Startup Women NC and Pivot Studios, where she provides leadership coaching and growth strategy consulting. Her background includes roles in content strategy and SEO, giving her a unique perspective on combining leadership with marketing.
Events That Rachel Has Spoken At
- Tech SEO Connect (Keynote: “The Secret to Enterprise Crawl Optimization: SRE”)
- SEO Week
- Found Conference
Reasons We Recommend Rachel Anderson
Rachel’s talks are essential for SEO professionals looking to elevate their impact and lead teams effectively. She provides a crucial framework for measuring the success of SEO initiatives within a broader business context.
Bianca Anderson (Binks)
Bianca Anderson, also known as Binks, is a strategic SEO leader who champions a conversion-focused approach over chasing vanity metrics. She has a wealth of experience from both in-house and agency roles.
Marketing Specialties
- Conversion-Focused SEO
- Strategic SEO
- Organic Growth
Notable Work Experience
Bianca is the Manager of Organic Growth at Hims & Hers. She previously worked as an SEO strategist at HubSpot, where she honed her skills in navigating algorithm changes thoughtfully and focusing on metrics that truly matter to the business.
Events That Bianca Has Spoken At
Reasons We Recommend Bianca Anderson
Bianca’s message to “F*** Traffic” and prioritize conversions is a critical one in today’s landscape. Her talks are a powerful reminder to align SEO efforts with tangible business outcomes, not just traffic volume.
Rand Fishkin
A co-founder of Moz and founder of SparkToro, Rand Fishkin is an OG SEO guru that has been an influential and often contrarian voice in the marketing world for years. His work focuses on audience research and the impact of zero-click search, which is more relevant than ever in the age of AI answers.
Marketing Specialties
Rand’s expertise lies in audience research, zero-click data analysis, and understanding the broad usage trends of AI and search that shape GEO strategy.
Notable Work Experience
After co-founding Moz, one of the most foundational companies in SEO, Rand founded SparkToro, an audience research tool. His data-driven think pieces consistently challenge the industry to look beyond surface-level metrics.
Best Platform(s) To Follow Rand On
Reasons We Recommend Rand Fishkin
Rand provides the critical, high-level data and context needed to build a sound strategy. His insights on audience behavior and zero-click trends are essential for understanding the “why” behind the shifts in search.
AEO and SEO Influencers Compared
These are the top 5 SEO influencers to watch out for at marketing conferences and social media platforms in 2026. They frequently share insights and free resources on social media, are great choices to follow for marketers trying to learn how to rank in both search engines and LLMs.
| Influencer | Key Specialty | Current Role | Best Platform / Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Kimball | AEO, SEO & Paid Media Strategies | Co-founder, Cairrot | LinkedIn (private workshops & resources) |
| Garrett Sussman | Generative AI in SEO, Industry News & Trends | Marketing Director, iPullRank | LinkedIn, Host of The SEO Weekly |
| Connor Gillivan | Scalable SEO Systems & Content for Lead Gen | Serial Entrepreneur (multiple B2B companies) | Weekly Newsletter, LinkedIn |
| Edward Sturm | Enterprise SEO, Viral Marketing & YouTube Strategy | Founder, Sturm Media | YouTube (@buildinpublic), Instagram |
| Cyrus Shepard | SEO Testing, Brand Signals & AI-Driven Search | Founder, Zyppy | X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Zyppy Blog |
| David Quaid | AI/LLM-Powered SEO & GEO | Founder, Primary Position | LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube |
| Matthew Bertram | AI SEO & LLM Visibility Framework | Fractional CMO / Head of Growth, EWR Digital | Host of The Best SEO Podcast |
Top 7 SEO Influencers On The Rise in 2026
These are the top 7 SEO and AEO influencers to watch out for at marketing conferences and social media platforms in 2026.
Connor Kimball
Connor Kimball is a leading expert in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) for luxury and high-ticket services, including in B2B SaaS, industrials, law firms, cosmetic surgeons, and financial services. He consistently publishes free, actionable AEO/GEO guides and field observations based on real-world clients, data studies, and personal experiments, making him a go-to source for what is currently working in AEO/AI visibility and traditional SEO.
As a Cofounder at Cairrot, Connor has front-line visibility into how the top brands improve their discoverability in AI search. He currently shares in-house data studies with Cairrot customers, but has announced that they will make these studies public sometime in 2026.
Marketing Specialties
Connor specializes in AEO, SEO, and Paid Media strategies for SaaS companies, B2B manufacturers, and high-ticket services like law firms, cosmetic surgeons, luxury ecommerce brands, and wealth management. His focus is on practical application and measurable results.
Notable Work Experience
Connor Kimball has over nine years of SEO and demand generation experience. At the age of 27, Connor was serving as the Director of Demand Generation at AVOXI, running massive SEO and Paid Advertising campaigns with budgets over $1,000,000, as well as managing performance marketing teams that included SEO, advertising, UI/UX, and content specialists.
As the Cofounder of Cairrot and an active AEO consultant, few SEO experts in the world can claim they see more real-world examples of successful AEO campaigns as Connor does on a weekly basis. He has over nine years of experience in internet marketing, working with global companies and developing proprietary AEO tools and strategies.
Best Platform(s) To Follow Connor On
Reasons To Follow Connor Kimball
Connor is at the absolute cutting edge of AEO. Following him provides direct access to data-backed strategies for gaining visibility in AI answer engines, a critical skill for 2026 and beyond.
With dozens of high-revenue clients and marketing agencies relying on his feedback for their SEO and AEO strategies, few marketers in the world get as many “reps at bat” as Connor does when it comes to making websites rank in AI search.
Garrett Sussman
Garrett Sussman is one of the most active marketers publishing practical playbooks for optimizing content for AI-generated answers. As the host of The SEO Weekly, he provides a regular, reliable pulse on the industry’s most important news and trends.
Marketing Specialties
Garrett specializes in SEO, content marketing, and the practical application of generative AI. He focuses on experimenting with how LLMs select citations and surface brand mentions.
Notable Work Experience
As the Marketing Director at iPullRank, Garrett is connected to a team doing some of the best research on search engines, AI models, and relevance engineering. He is the host of The SEO Weekly video series and a featured speaker at events like MozCon.
Best Platform(s) To Follow Garrett On
Reasons We Recommend Garrett Sussman
Following Garrett is like getting a weekly masterclass in modern SEO. His content is timely, practical, and directly addresses the challenges marketers are facing with generative AI in search.
Connor Kimball heaped high praise on Garrett for his incredible presentation about how cognitive bias is affecting LLM outputs at SEO Week 2025.
Edward Sturm
Edward Sturm is an entrepreneur and YouTube influencer known for his practical, hands-on approach to SEO and growth hacking. His content breaks down complex concepts into actionable strategies, particularly for visual platforms.
Marketing Specialties
Edward specializes in enterprise SEO consulting, viral marketing, and YouTube content strategy. He has a knack for creating content that achieves massive reach.
Notable Work Experience
Edward has consulted for major brands like Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, and ADP. He is an early viral video creator on YouTube and has generated over 300 million views for his content. He runs Sturm Media and teaches digital marketing classes.
Best Platform(s) To Follow Edward On
- YouTube (@buildinpublic)
- Instagram (@edward.builds)
Reasons We Recommend Edward Sturm
Edward offers a fresh perspective on SEO, heavily influenced by content creation and viral mechanics. He is an excellent influencer to follow for strategies that extend beyond traditional blog content, especially into video.
Connor Gillivan
Connor Gillivan is a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple 8-figure businesses with a heavy reliance on SEO-focused growth. He now shares his proven systems for scaling organic search to drive business results.
Marketing Specialties
Connor’s expertise is in creating and implementing scalable SEO systems, content marketing for lead generation, and overall business growth through organic search.
Notable Work Experience
Having built and scaled seven businesses over ten years, including a successful exit from a company at $12M ARR, Connor has a proven track record. He now runs five B2B companies and offers his “The SEO System” course.
Best Platform(s) To Follow Connor On
- Weekly Newsletter
Reasons We Recommend Connor Gillivan
Connor provides a rare, entrepreneur-led perspective on SEO. He doesn’t just talk about rankings; he talks about building scalable systems that translate directly into revenue and business growth.
Cyrus Shepard
Cyrus Shepard is a pioneering SEO expert and founder of Zyppy, renowned for his bold, data-backed experiments that challenge conventional wisdom and reveal how Google’s algorithms truly work. With insider experience as a former Google Quality Rater, he emphasizes authentic, user-focused strategies, brand authority, and adapting to AI-driven changes over outdated optimization tricks.
Marketing Specialties
Cyrus’s expertise centers on SEO testing and experimentation, title tag optimization, internal linking strategies, understanding Google updates, and leveraging brand signals in an era of AI overviews and helpful content systems.
Notable Work Experience
After rising to prominence at Moz, where he led SEO initiatives for nearly a decade, Cyrus founded Zyppy, a leading SEO consultancy delivering custom audits, training, and tools for sustainable traffic growth. His groundbreaking studies (like disavowing all links or analyzing title rewrites) and real-world insights from rating thousands of search results have influenced SEOs worldwide, helping brands from startups to enterprises navigate core updates and build resilient strategies.
Best Platform(s) To Follow Cyrus On
Reasons We Recommend Cyrus Shepard
Cyrus cuts through the noise with evidence-based insights that help SEOs thrive amid constant algorithm shifts and AI integration. His recent experiments and analyses on topics like selective link priority, title rewrites, and how Google punishes over-optimized content provide actionable, forward-thinking guidance essential for building long-term visibility in a brand-centric search landscape. Followers praise his clear, no-hype breakdowns and practical tools that deliver real results.
David Quaid
David Quaid is a seasoned SEO veteran and founder of Primary Position, a New York City-based agency specializing in high-impact organic growth. With over two decades of hands-on experience blending technical depth, competitive intelligence, and early adoption of AI/LLM strategies, he cuts through hype to deliver proven, results-driven approaches for scaling visibility in an increasingly complex search landscape.
Marketing Specialties
David’s expertise lies in AI and LLM-powered SEO, generative engine optimization (GEO), competitive SERP analysis, PageRank mechanics, technical audits, and debunking persistent SEO myths while focusing on what truly drives rankings and revenue.
Notable Work Experience
David entered SEO in 2002 and founded Primary Position in 2005 (originally in Europe, later relocating to NYC), building it into a boutique agency that has driven acquisitions and massive valuations for clients in cybersecurity, AI, and tech (e.g., Kemp Technologies at $250M, IntSights at $325M, Instabase at $2B). His background in software engineering and cybersecurity informs his unique ability to tackle deep technical challenges, making him a go-to for enterprise-scale SEO and innovative AI integration that tracks real LLM traffic and conversions.
Best Platform(s) To Follow David On
- X (Twitter)(highly active in SEO discussions)
- YouTube
- Primary Position Blog
Reasons We Recommend David Quaid
David provides rare, no-nonsense clarity in a field flooded with misinformation and AI hype—backing claims with decades of pattern recognition across thousands of SERPs. His insights on query drift, foundational PageRank in modern algorithms, and practical GEO strategies offer essential, actionable guidance for SEOs navigating AI overviews and core updates. Industry peers and clients praise his technical mastery, transparency, and consistent delivery of measurable growth.
Matthew Bertram
Matthew Bertram is a growth advisor and host of The Best SEO Podcast, where he consistently interviews the most relevant names in AI and search. He publishes field observations from his agency, EWR Digital, offering a real-world perspective on AI SEO.
Marketing Specialties
Matthew specializes in AI SEO and predictable revenue architecture for global energy and crypto companies, as well as high-value services. He is the creator of the LLM Visibility Framework.
Notable Work Experience
As a Fractional CMO and Head of Growth at EWR Digital, Matthew advises enterprise and growth-stage companies. He is also the author of “;Oil & Gas Sales & Marketing: The Energy Growth Playbook.”
Best Platform(s) To Follow Matthew On
Reasons We Recommend Matthew Bertram
Matthew provides a unique blend of high-level strategy and niche industry expertise. His podcast is an excellent resource for hearing directly from the leaders shaping AI search.
Related Resources for SEO and AEO
Best LLM Rank Trackers (AI Visibility Tool Comparison)
Best LLM Tracking Tools for Marketing Agencies As digital marketers like us navigate the new world of Answer Engine Optimization
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