SEO Guy | Top Specialists and Why They Rank on Google

The SEO landscape is vast, and with so many professionals branding themselves as “SEO Guy,” it’s important to understand why certain SEO specialists stand out on Google. As a fellow SEO expert, I know that ranking high in search engine results requires strategic optimization, a strong online presence, and consistent quality. In this blog, we’ll look at the top 20 “SEO Guys” currently ranking on Google, explore their strategies, and uncover what makes each unique.

What Does an SEO Guy Do?

Umer Farooq | Local SEO Guy

An “SEO Guy” is a dedicated SEO specialist who optimizes websites to drive organic traffic and improve visibility in search engine results. This role involves:

• Testing and Analyzing: Identifying site issues and implementing fixes to align with SEO best practices.
• Content Strategy: Ensuring that website content resonates with the target audience and includes relevant keywords.
• Technical Optimization: Streamlining technical elements like website speed, mobile-friendliness, and structured data to enhance ranking potential.

These activities aim to secure a prominent position on Google’s first page for relevant search terms. With demand for SEO expertise growing rapidly, here are the top-ranking SEO specialists today.

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Top SEO Guys on Google and What Sets Them Apart

1. Danny Todd – The Cleveland SEO Guy

Website: clevelandseoguy.com

Specialty: Local SEO in Cleveland, Ohio

Why He Ranks: Danny’s approach to local SEO combines deep knowledge of Ohio’s market with a data-driven strategy. His website content emphasizes local search terms like “Cleveland SEO,” and he has a robust portfolio that builds credibility in his region.

SEO Takeaway: Localized SEO with niche keywords and consistent, location-based content can strengthen search engine visibility in a specific market.

Services: Danny Todd provides SEO services specifically tailored for businesses in Cleveland, Ohio. His focus on local SEO means he concentrates on optimizing websites for local search terms, like “Cleveland SEO,” to capture clients within the region. He likely offers services such as:

• Localized keyword research
• Google My Business optimization
• Citation building in local directories
• Review management to improve online reputation

Approach: Danny’s SEO approach is grounded in a deep understanding of Ohio’s local market and its competitive landscape, which allows him to deliver custom solutions for visibility within Cleveland.

Why This Works: By focusing on location-based content and targeted keywords specific to Cleveland, Danny is building relevance and authority in the local search market, making him a strong choice for businesses looking to capture local customers.

2. Daniel, The SEO Guy

Website: danieltheseoguy.com

Specialty: Comprehensive SEO Strategies

Why He Ranks: With over 17 years of experience, Daniel combines a well-structured website with extensive SEO case studies and testimonials. His focus on user experience, fast load times, and structured data enhances his SEO.

SEO Takeaway: High-quality, user-centric website design, backed by client success stories, helps establish authority and improve rankings.

Services: Daniel provides comprehensive SEO services for clients looking for a well-rounded SEO strategy. His offerings likely cover:

• Technical SEO audits
• Content optimization and keyword targeting
• UX-focused web design with fast loading speeds
• Structured data implementation for enhanced SERP features

Approach: With over 17 years of experience, Daniel builds authority through structured case studies, testimonials, and a clear focus on delivering a high-quality user experience.

Why This Works: User-centered design and seamless site performance help his clients rank better, while his case studies and testimonials demonstrate his track record, appealing to businesses seeking reliable, proven SEO strategies.

3. Grumpy SEO Guy

Platform: Podcast (Spotify, Apple, RSS.com)

Specialty: Transparent SEO Guidance

Why He Ranks: Known for his blunt, no-nonsense approach, Grumpy SEO Guy provides long-form, detailed advice on his podcast, covering SEO topics in depth. This keeps listeners engaged and encourages repeat visits.

SEO Takeaway: Engaging, in-depth content across different formats (like podcasts) boosts user engagement, which positively impacts SEO rankings.

Services: Grumpy SEO Guy’s main product is his podcast, where he shares no-nonsense advice about SEO topics. His services are primarily educational, focusing on:

• Transparent, easy-to-understand explanations of SEO strategies
• Long-form discussions that dive deeply into SEO challenges
• Podcast episodes that listeners can follow for DIY SEO learning

Approach: Grumpy SEO Guy uses an engaging podcast format to make complex SEO topics accessible. His straightforward tone appeals to people looking for practical advice without jargon.

Why This Works: Podcasting allows him to reach a broad audience, providing valuable, free content that builds trust and repeat engagement, which indirectly benefits his SEO by drawing in loyal listeners.

4. My SEO Guys

Website: myseoguys.com

Specialty: Affordable Online Marketing Services

Why They Rank: My SEO Guys use keyword-optimized services and focus on low-cost SEO solutions, which appeal to small business owners looking for affordability.

SEO Takeaway: Targeting a specific audience (small businesses) and emphasizing value-for-money SEO services makes the content highly relevant for cost-conscious users.

Services: My SEO Guys targets small business owners by offering affordable SEO services that address common digital marketing needs, including:

• Basic SEO packages focused on foundational SEO
• Social media marketing and website design
• Low-cost solutions ideal for startups or budget-conscious clients

Approach: Their focus on affordable online marketing appeals to small businesses that need effective but cost-efficient strategies.

Why This Works: Their niche positioning as an affordable SEO provider for small businesses allows them to rank for searches related to budget SEO services, making them appealing to cost-conscious clients.

5. Mitch, The SEO Guy (Australia)

Website: theseoguy.com.au

Specialty: Australian SEO and Google Ads

Why He Ranks: Mitch uses targeted keywords like “Sydney SEO” and “Google Ads Specialist” while offering a range of services, including website development and online growth strategies.

SEO Takeaway: Combining regional keywords with service-specific phrases like “Google Ads” helps build authority in both location and service areas.

Services: Mitch offers a range of services with a focus on the Australian market, such as:

• Local SEO specifically targeting Australian cities like Sydney
• Google Ads management alongside SEO to drive immediate traffic
• Website development with a focus on SEO and online growth

Approach: By using targeted local keywords (e.g., “Sydney SEO”) alongside phrases like “Google Ads,” Mitch positions himself as an expert in both organic and paid search strategies in Australia.

Why This Works: Focusing on both geographic and service-based keywords strengthens his relevance and authority in both areas, making him highly visible for Australian businesses looking to grow online.

6. The SEO Guys (@theseoguy_ on X/Twitter)

Platform: X (Twitter) | https://x.com/theseoguy_

Specialty: Engaging SEO Discussions and Tips

Why They Rank: This Twitter handle is popular for providing consistent SEO insights, news, and tips, keeping followers engaged and increasing visibility through shares.

SEO Takeaway: Regular updates on SEO trends and a strong social media presence can reinforce brand recognition and authority.

Services: This Twitter account specializes in:

• Sharing daily SEO tips and insights
• Engaging in discussions on current SEO trends
• Providing a quick-response platform for real-time SEO news

Approach: By delivering consistent, easily digestible content, The SEO Guys keep their audience informed and engaged.

Why This Works: Regular updates boost visibility and engagement on social media, which reinforces their brand authority in the SEO space.

7. The WiX SEO Guy – Mark A. Preston

Website: wixseoguy.com

Specialty: Wix SEO Training

Why He Ranks: Mark leverages his expertise in Wix-specific SEO, which resonates with a niche audience. As a former Wix SEO Advisory Board member, he provides targeted advice and valuable resources.

SEO Takeaway: Becoming a platform-specific SEO expert (like Wix) creates a niche audience and authority within a less competitive space.

Services: Mark Preston focuses on SEO strategies specifically for Wix websites, which likely includes:

• SEO consulting tailored to Wix’s platform limitations and features
• Training sessions for clients who want to manage their own SEO
• Resources and guides specifically for Wix users

Approach: As a former Wix SEO Advisory Board member, Mark has insider knowledge of the platform, which he leverages to help Wix site owners.

Why This Works: Specializing in Wix-specific SEO fills a niche, positioning him as the go-to expert for Wix site owners, an audience with fewer options due to the platform’s unique needs.

8. The DIY SEO Guy

Website: diyseoguy.com

Specialty: Self-Help SEO Resources

Why He Ranks: DIY SEO Guy appeals to budget-conscious small business owners who want to learn and implement SEO themselves. He offers free resources and guides that attract a wide audience.

SEO Takeaway: Free, high-value resources attract a loyal audience, while budget-friendly branding appeals to a large user base.

Services: DIY SEO Guy offers resources for self-guided SEO, including:

• Free guides, articles, and tools for small business owners
• Budget-conscious options for clients interested in DIY SEO
• Educational content aimed at simplifying SEO for beginners

Approach: DIY SEO Guy appeals to small businesses by providing free, valuable content that helps them learn SEO basics without paying for high-end services.

Why This Works: By positioning his brand as a source of budget-friendly, self-help SEO, he attracts a large audience interested in affordable solutions.

9. The SEO IT Guy

Website: theseoitguy.com

Specialty: Managed Service Providers (MSP) SEO

Why He Ranks: The SEO IT Guy caters specifically to MSPs, focusing on this service niche with content that addresses their unique challenges and SEO needs.

SEO Takeaway: By focusing on a highly specialized industry, it’s possible to rank well within that niche.

Services: The SEO IT Guy offers SEO services tailored to managed service providers (MSPs), which likely includes:

• SEO strategies focused on B2B and tech industries
• Content creation geared toward IT services
• Solutions for increasing visibility for MSPs in the tech sector

Approach: By focusing on the unique SEO challenges of MSPs, The SEO IT Guy addresses a specific industry, allowing him to provide tailored services.

Why This Works: Focusing on a specialized sector like MSPs makes it easier for him to stand out, as he has fewer competitors who serve this niche.

10. Super SEO Guy (Facebook Page)

Platform: Facebook

Specialty: SEO Services

Why He Ranks: Super SEO Guy leverages the vast audience on Facebook to share SEO tips, articles, and updates, enhancing engagement and visibility on the platform.

SEO Takeaway: An active presence on social media networks like Facebook can drive traffic and boost brand awareness.

Services: Super SEO Guy uses Facebook as his primary platform to:

• Share SEO tips, updates, and relevant articles
• Post valuable information to help followers stay informed about SEO trends
• Engage with users through comments and discussions

Approach: His active social media presence builds a loyal following and increases engagement, attracting both direct traffic and potential SEO clients.

Why This Works: Social media, particularly a large platform like Facebook, allows him to reach a vast audience, boosting brand awareness and engagement, which indirectly benefits his SEO.

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What Makes These “SEO Guys” Rank?

Each of these top-ranking SEO specialists and entities shares certain best practices:

Targeted Keywords

From local SEO terms to niche specialties, each SEO Guy focuses on a well-defined keyword strategy.

User-Centric Content

Quality content tailored to their audience’s needs, whether through podcasts, blogs, or free resources.

Technical Optimization

Many ensure their sites are optimized for speed, mobile compatibility, and SEO-friendly site structure.

Audience Engagement

A consistent presence across social media, podcasts, or community spaces like Reddit builds a loyal following, which boosts user engagement signals important for ranking.

Niche Authority

Specialists like the WiX SEO Guy and the SEO IT Guy demonstrate that having a clear niche helps carve a unique place in the SERP.

why your website ranks at position 98 on Google for the keyword “SEO Guy”?

ChatGPT

To analyze why your website ranks at position 98 on Google for the keyword “SEO Guy,” let’s break down some potential factors based on typical SEO ranking criteria. This will help identify areas to enhance and improve visibility.

1. Keyword Relevance and Content Optimization

• Current Optimization: Your site is focused on “Local SEO,” which aligns with your expertise but may diverge slightly from the keyword “SEO Guy” alone. This term might lean toward a broader audience looking for general SEO expertise or branding as “The SEO Guy.”
• Improvement Suggestions: Consider enhancing your homepage and other key landing pages with content tailored to the keyword “SEO Guy.” Balance this with “Local SEO Guy” to maintain relevance to your specialization. Try adding sections that include general SEO advice, a brief FAQ on common SEO topics, or examples of success stories that relate to general SEO as well as Local SEO.

2. Content Depth and Authority

• Current Optimization: With a focus on Local SEO, your site likely includes in-depth content around this niche, but for Google to view you as a top “SEO Guy” in general, your content should reflect a broader range of SEO topics.
• Improvement Suggestions: Add blog posts or resource pages that cover a wider spectrum of SEO, such as technical SEO, on-page SEO, and link-building strategies. This will help demonstrate a more rounded expertise and may encourage other sites to link back to your resources, which can improve authority.

3. Backlinks and Domain Authority

• Current Optimization: Backlinks are crucial to establishing authority. Sites ranking high for “SEO Guy” likely have a strong backlink profile from various industry-relevant sources.
• Improvement Suggestions: Building backlinks from high-authority sites can strengthen your ranking. Focus on getting featured on reputable industry sites, guest blogging, or networking within the SEO community. Specifically, targeting backlinks from websites that discuss general SEO topics (not just Local SEO) may be helpful.

4. On-Page SEO for Target Keywords

• Current Optimization: While your page may be well-optimized for Local SEO keywords, “SEO Guy” may not appear frequently or prominently enough in key on-page elements like headings, meta descriptions, and image alt text.
• Improvement Suggestions: Optimize the homepage title, meta description, H1 headings, and image alt text with both “Local SEO Guy” and “SEO Guy.” Integrate these terms naturally within the content, especially in introductory and summary sections.

5. User Experience (UX) and Engagement

• Current Optimization: Google considers user engagement factors like click-through rates (CTR), bounce rate, and dwell time as ranking signals. A ranking position at 98 could mean that while users find your site, they may not find it directly relevant to the broader “SEO Guy” keyword.
• Improvement Suggestions: To increase CTR and engagement, experiment with enticing meta titles and descriptions that appeal to a general SEO audience. You could also integrate interactive content like videos, infographics, or testimonials that highlight your broader SEO skills and success stories.

6. Local SEO Specialization

• Current Optimization: Your brand, “Local SEO Guy,” clearly communicates expertise in a specific SEO niche, which is excellent for your target audience. However, this niche focus may mean Google associates your site primarily with local search optimization.
• Improvement Suggestions: To broaden your relevance, try creating a “General SEO” section on your site. You could include tutorials or beginner’s guides on broad SEO topics, reinforcing that you can provide value beyond just Local SEO.

7. Competitor Analysis

• Current Optimization: Some competitors likely rank higher for “SEO Guy” because they have a general SEO brand or authority that encompasses a wide range of SEO topics. Those ranking higher are seen as industry authorities on both local and general SEO, which boosts their visibility.
• Improvement Suggestions: Perform a competitor analysis on the top 10 ranking pages for “SEO Guy” to identify what specific content, keywords, and backlink sources they leverage. This will offer insights into the elements you can implement to position yourself as a general SEO authority.

Actionable Steps to Improve Ranking for “SEO Guy”:

1. Optimize On-Page Elements: Adjust the homepage title, meta description, and headers to incorporate “SEO Guy” strategically alongside “Local SEO Guy.”
2. Expand Content Scope: Publish articles or guides on broader SEO topics (technical SEO, link building, keyword research) to signal comprehensive expertise.
3. Strengthen Backlink Profile: Pursue backlinks from reputable SEO blogs, forums, and industry publications to improve domain authority.
4. Enhance User Engagement: Add content that keeps visitors on the page longer, like videos, infographics, or detailed case studies, which can signal quality to Google.
5. Conduct Competitor Analysis: Assess the strategies of top-ranking “SEO Guys” to incorporate successful elements on your site.

By implementing these strategies, you can start signaling to Google that your site is relevant for both “Local SEO” and the broader “SEO Guy” keyword, potentially moving you closer to the top of the SERP over time.

Conclusion

The “SEO Guy” brand is represented by professionals who have honed their skills in specific areas of SEO, from local SEO to platform-specific optimization. For those aspiring to rank as an SEO expert, these examples illustrate that success lies in combining targeted keyword strategies, high-quality content, and audience engagement. By specializing in a niche and optimizing both content and technical aspects, you can also join the ranks of top SEO specialists on Google.