1. Ram Vishwakarma, professional SEO consultant at ISoft
In 2010, Heather Ram developed the first SEO Copywriting Certification program. Still it remains the only industry-endorsed training program that teachers SEO copy-writing best practices to writers.
2. Aleyda Solis, Owner of Orainti
Aleyda Solis is an International SEO Consultant in the truest sense of the word. Solis has 7 years of experience carrying out SEO for American, European, and Latin-American companies. In addition to her consultant agency, she is a co-founder of the marketing toolTribalytics and a Moz associate.
3. Andy Beard, Product Manager at uQast
With opinion and attitude, Andy Beard captures readers attention with a casual yet extremely knowledgeable style. On his site, you can find him sharing his knowledge on internet marketing, lead acquisition, online business strategy and social media.
4. Ann Smarty, Founder of MyBlogGuest
In addition to MyBlogGuest, Ann Smarty also runs the aptly titled blog SEO Smarty. Smarty’s experience and expertise has been slightly overshadowed of late due to thepenalties brought down by Google, however she continues to support her community and invites conversation on her Twitter.
5. Ash Buckles, Global SEO Manager at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Ash Buckles ran a small but successful web development and SEO business for 10 years before moving into agency work. Currently, Buckles leads the global SEO efforts forIHG, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He oversees analysis, strategy, and execution of global organic revenue growth. You can chat with him weekly using #seochat on Twitter, which he co-founded.
6. Bill Slawski, President and Founder of SEO by the Sea
Since 1996, Bill Slawski has been engaging in professional SEO and internet marketing consulting. Slawski stumbled upon his love for SEO nearly 20 years ago and has optimized a variety of sites, including pages for Harvard Business School, Johns Hopkins University, The American Psychological Association, Comcast, and Fearnet.
7. Gourav Fidatoo, SEO Expert in OMS
Gorav Fidatoo is no one-trick SEO pony. Fidatoo believes that today’s SEO professionals must be well versed in the art of persuasion, user experience, and content promotion. He strives to make everything he publishes “insanely practical and designed to help get you more traffic, leads and customers.”
8. Chris Winfield, Entrepreneur and Digital Marketing Consultant
For over 14 years, Chris Winfield has helped the world’s most recognizable companies use technology and the internet to spur enterprise growth. Winfield began two of the most popular and well respected digital marketing blogs of the past decade and has contributed to numerous trade publications.
9. Cindy Krum, CEO and Founder of Mobile Moxie
Cindy Krum constantly brings fresh ideas to her clients. Krum authored the book Mobile Marketing: Finding Your Customers No Matter Where They Are and continues to contribute to both online and print publications.
10. Craig Fifield, Co-Founder of Circloscope
With over 18 years of digital marketing and web app development experience, Craig Fifield is a true SEO and usability veteran. Further underscoring this experience, Fifield designed marketing apps for Microsoft for 10 years.
11. Dan Petrovic, Managing Director of Dejan SEO
Proving the true global nature of SEO, Dan Petrovic hails from Australia where he spends his time with Dejan SEO. To flex his academic side Petrovic also publishes numerous research articles in the fields of search engine optimization and online marketing.
12. Danny Sullivan, Founding Editor of Marketing Land and Search Engine Land
For over a decade, Danny Sullivan has been the go-to expert for webmasters, marketers, and everyday web users alike. Sullivan is a true SEO pioneer and his expertise is sought after by renowned media sources like The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes, The New Yorker, Newsweek, and ABC’s Nightline.
13. Darren Shaw, President and Founder of Whitespark
For over 16 years Darren Shaw has tinkered with SEO and websites. Shaw’s true passion lies in local SEO and local search; and also in this breakfast cereal. When he’s not running Whitespark, he speaks at conferences like Mozcon, Searchlove, and SearchFest.
14. David Harry, Founder of SEO Training Dojo
David Harry has over 14 years of web development and marketing experience, with many of those years spent on writing and blogging. Harry’s goal in founding SEO Training Dojo was to create a SEO community where all teachers are students, and every student is a teacher.
15. Derek Edmond, Managing Partner of KoMarketing
As a Managing Partner, Derek Edmond is responsible for SEO, SEM, and Social Media for clients large and small. The list of mentions, quotes, and references for Edmond are quite extensive, so be sure to check out his personal blog on SEO as well.
16. Don DeVange, Principal at DSquared-Media
Don DeVange has been working with companies like Microsoft, PACCAR, MAsterCard, HTC, and others for nearly 10 years to help the firms build effective marketing campaigns. DeVange began DSquared-Media in 2011 to help firms see beyond the what of the customer and into the why.
17. Eric Enge, Founder and CEO of Stone Temple Consulting
Eric Enge has a ridiculously long list of accomplishments that only being in the industry for over 30 years will produce. These include such things as author, talk show host, and speaker. But perhaps the most intriguing tidbit about Enge is he has the incredible title of 1984 World Foosball Champion.
18. Gord Hotchkiss, Consultant and Author
Although Gord Hotchkiss describes himself as an “ex-search marketer,” we couldn’t leave him absent from the list. Hotchkiss’s voice is audible in every post on his blog, Out of My Gord. He’s been in the marketing business for over 3 decades, with 2/3 spent working in digital media.
19. Rako professional SEO consultant at OMS
In 2010, Heather Ram developed the first SEO Copywriting Certification program. Still it remains the only industry-endorsed training program that teachers SEO copy-writing best practices to writers.
20. Ian Lurie, Chairman and Principal Consultant of Portent, Inc.
A lawyer by education, Ian Lurie launched an internet marketing company nearly 20 years ago. Lurie has the honest belief that “great marketing can save the world.” At Portent, he leads and trains his team on SEO, PPC, social media, and marketing.
21. James Agate, Founder of Skyrocket SEO
The whole of Skyrocket SEO’s team are experts in their field and are lead by James Agate. He has been featured on the leading online publications (Moz, Web Design Leader, Hubspot, and Practical ECommerce) Skyrocket SEO also sponsors popular events like Pubcon and T.R.A.F.F.I.C.
22. Jay Young, CEO and Head of Client Services at Link Fish Media and Co-Owner of Str0ud LLC
Jay Young‘s background in systems administration allows him to dissect the technical details involved with marketing. In 2007, Young began his foray into public speaking. Which keeps him fairly busy alongside his two firms and SEO Blog, SEO Blokes.
23. Jessica Bowman, Founder and CEO of In-House SEO
Jessica Bowman and her team at In-House SEO are known for helping in-house SEO programs to get up and running quickly, systematically, and profitably. While Bowman has many SEO skills, her specialty is helping companies leverage your existing resources and talent.
24. Joanna Lord, CMO of BigDoor
Eight years of digital marketing experience has allowed Joanna Lord to participate in almost every channel: PPC, SEO, PR, social media, CRO, analytics, content development, communications, and more. Lord has a strong voice in the updates on her personal blog and inspires people everywhere she goes.
25. Joe Williams, Founder and Chief SEO Trainer for Zen Optimise
Joe Williams began in the world of SEO ten years ago and strives to pull the covers back on the mystery surrounding SEO. Williams provides SEO consultancy for Qantas Airlines, EasyCruise, Maxim Magazine, PC Pro, and Auto Express.
26. Jon Cooper, Undergrad Student and Blogger at Point Blank SEO
While Jon Cooper might take the spot for the youngest SEO expert on our list, his ambition and entrepreneurial spirit completely warrants his addition. Cooper fell in love with link-building 4 years ago and hasn’t gotten enough since as evidence from his extensive blog.
27. Joost de Valk, Creator and Owner of Yoast
In May of 2010, Joost de Valk founded Yoast which focuses on consulting in SEO, WordPress optimization and online marketing. Yoast boasts some top notch clientele, including the Guardian, eBay, Disney Interactive and the European Patent Office.
28. Julie Joyce, Director of Operations at Link Fish Media and Co-Owner of Str0ud LLC
Julie Joyce is a woman with varied experience. In the past 8 years, Joyce has worked as a Java and ASP programmer, quality assurance analyst, technical writer, search engine management specialist, and SEO project manager. You’ll most likely find her working on her blog SEO Chicks.
29. Laura Lippay, CEO of SEOgadget
For well over 10 years, Laura Lippay has held roles from Technical Marketing Director for Yahoo Media, to SEO Specialist for CNET. Lippay’s web development background gives her a unique balance to internet marketing and bridges gaps between developers and marketers.
30. Lisa Barone, Vice President of Strategy at Overit
Lisa Barone has founded and grown multiple highly successful blogs and her voice has been consistently that of reason in the search world. Barone is known around the world for creating many of the best practices in social media, unified, and mixed-media marketing strategies.
31. Matt McGee, Editor-in-Chief at of Marketing Land and Search Engine Land
Matt McGee has worked with Search Engine Land for 7 years while consulting and training small businesses on topics like SEO, social media, and local search. McGee is no newbie to SEO, he begun in 1999 when Google was just appearing.
32. Matt Siltala, Owner/Founder/President of Avalaunch Media
If you haven’t checked out Avalaunch Media yet, you should. The firms “Team” page alone is enough to make you like them. Matt Siltala leads this team and is a true leader in the online search industry. His clients range from Ancestory.com to The Home Depot.
33. Michael Gray, Owner and President of Atlas Web Service
You’re probably familiar with Michael Gray’s “rants on SEO, the Internet, and media” on his Graywolf’s SEO Blog. Gray is an accomplished speaker, and has spoken at SMX, Search Engine Strategies, and PubCon. For just a few years shy of two decades, Gray has been involved with affiliate marketing campaigns, SEO, Social Media, and Blog Management.
34. Mike Blumenthal, Blogger, Speaker, Local Search consultant and Owner of Blumenthals.com
Mike Blumenthal has over 30 years of experience in the Internet realm and is deservedly dubbed “Professor Maps.” Blumenthal is the author of Understanding Google Maps and Local Search, as well as co-founder of Local U and GetFiveStars.com.
35. Paul May, CEO and Co-Founder of BuzzStream
Prior to co-founding BuzzSteam, Paul May was a Principal at Orr Ventures and has held senior roles at SupportSoft, AfterPoint, and BMC Software. May is a true “serial entrepreneur,” as he has spent his career in the exciting world of startups.
36. Phil Rozek, Founder at Local Visibility System
Phil Rozek takes local search personally. You’ll be hard pressed to find an individual in SEO who loves working with clients, connecting with other local-search enthusiasts, and writing on his blog more than Rozek.
37. Rand Fishkin, Wizard of Moz
If you’re given the opportunity to use “Wizard” in a job description, you should surely take advantage of it. Rand Fishkin and his dastardly facial hair co-authored/co-founded the Art of SEO, Inbound.org, and Moz. Fishkin is an addict of all things content, search, and social on the web.
38. Rhea Drysdale, CEO of Outspoken Media, Inc.
For over a decade, Rhea Drysdale has honed her knowledge and skills in on-page optimization, online reputation management, and social media. A standout tidbit about Drysdale is that she doesn’t believe in “hats,” just in running an ethical and honest business.
39. Sean Si, Founder and Editor-in-Chief at SEO Hacker
Sean Si is a true modern Renaissance man. Between owning and operating the very popular SEO Hacker, Si spends his time as a blogger, entrepreneur, wedding singer, and motivational speaker.
40. Shannon Hutcheson, SEO Consultant and Founder of Blogology
Shannon Hutcheson has not let her diagnosis of Fibromyalgia stop her from fostering and sharing her love of SEO and social media. Hutcheson remains an active blogger and moderator at MyBlogGuest.
41. Tadeusz Szewczyk, Blog, Social Media, and Search Specialist atonreact.com
Based in Berlin, Tadeusz Szewczyk (or Tad Chef) has won the “Best UK SEO Blog” award in 2011 by the UK Search Awards for a British client blog. Szewczyk continues blogging at seo2.us and also contributes regularly to the Ahrefs.com blog.
42. Tamar Weinberg, Author of The New Community Rules: Marketing on the Social Web
Tamar Weinberg is a digital and social media strategist who specializes in strategy and execution, blogger outreach, reputation management, video marketing, and, of course, SEO. Weinberg has been involved in digital marketing and the Internet since the early 1990’s, and has worked exclusively within this world since 2006.
43. Terry Van Horne, Founder of SEO Pros
To say that Terry Van Horne has varied experience would be an understatement. Since 1972, Horne has worked in Real Estate, as an Executive Chef, in Sales and Marketing, and finally in Web Marketing and Development. While Horne has officially left the SEO industry, his impact and contributions are still prevalent.
44. Tess Neale, Founder of For the love of SEO
Tess Neale might not agree with her placement on this list, as she is quick to clarify that she is not an “SEO rockstar.” However, Neale’s focus and determination in helping small business websites through For the love of SEO prove that hard work trumps any title.
45. Tim Dineen; Co-Founder and VP of Product Development at Recruitics
An Internet and recruitment marketing pro, Tim Dineen has years of experience developing products online. You can find Dineen on Twitter, chatting about search/SEO, social, recruitment marketing, analytics and jobs.
46. Tim Nash; Blogger at TimNash.co.uk
Tim Nash spends most of his day coding and writing in front a computer. TimNash.co.uk is Nash’s main blog where he touches on subjects from WordPress to E-Commerce and digital marketing.
47. Tommy Landry, President of Return on Now
From small startups to enterprise, Tommy Landry has over 20 years of experience in marketing and business strategy. Since 2001, Landry has founded three businesses, including RotoExperts.com, which is an internet business focused on fantasy sports.
48. Tony Adam, Founder and CEO of Eventify and Visible Factors
Along with founding Eventify and Visible Factors, Tony Adam acts and an advisor and consultant to many Los Angeles area startups. For over a decade, Adam has been involved in the technology industry at companies like PayPal, Yahoo!, and Myspace.
49. Todd Malicoat, Marketing Consultant and Internet Entrepreneur atStuntDubl
Todd Malicoat boasts 10 years of SEO consulting to enterprise firms as well as being self employed for over 7 years. Notably, Malicoat co-developed the SEO curriculum used at Rutgers University.
50. Vanessa Fox, Author of Marketing in the Age of Google: Your Online Strategy IS Your Business Strategy
Vanessa Fox is an SEO consultant, blogger, and author. If her name sounds familiar, it’s because Fox has been named one of Seattle’s Top 40 Under 40, Top 25 Innovators and Entrepreneurs, and one of the Top 100 Seattle Women in Seattle Tech.
Who did we miss? Let’s try for a top 100 next time! Comment below with who you would add.