Top 14 SEO Coaches for 2026

Last Updated: 

October 17, 2025

SEO coaching has become one of the most effective ways to master search strategy without relying solely on trial and error. 

The best SEO coaches bring years of experience, hands-on knowledge, and practical insights that go beyond tutorials or surface-level advice. They guide individuals, teams, and businesses through real challenges.

Moreover, they cover everything from keyword strategy and technical optimisation to analytics, content frameworks, and AI integration.

Below, we’ve selected top SEO coaches who stand out for their proven results, teaching style, and influence within the industry. Each one offers a different perspective, giving you options whether you’re building an agency, managing in-house SEO, or growing your own website.

Key Takeaways on Choosing an SEO Coach

  1. Diverse Specialisations: Recognise that top SEO coaches have unique strengths. Some, like Aleyda Solis and Jono Alderson, focus on technical and international SEO, while others like Brian Dean and Marie Haynes are experts in content, link-building, and Google's quality guidelines. Your choice should align with your specific business needs.
  2. Experience and Proven Results: The best coaches, such as Matt Diggity and Craig Campbell, demonstrate their value through data-driven results, case studies, and real-world testing. Look for mentors who have a verifiable track record of success in competitive niches.
  3. Teaching Style Matters: Coaches offer different learning experiences. Some, like Nathan Gotch, provide structured, step-by-step frameworks ideal for systematic learners, whereas others like Rand Fishkin offer high-level strategic thinking for senior marketers. Consider which approach best suits your learning preferences.
  4. Criteria for Selection: A credible list of coaches is built on clear criteria. Factors like industry experience, client feedback, teaching quality, and specialisation are essential for identifying a mentor who can provide genuine, measurable impact for your business.
Discover Real-World Success Stories

Ashot Nanayan

Ashot Nanayan is the CEO and founder of one of the fastest-growing SEO agencies, Digital World Institute. He is a digital marketing strategist and SEO coach recognised for his practical, results-focused approach to teaching.

His extensive experience in SaaS, construction, and service-based industries assists professionals in understanding how to structure SEO strategies to drive business growth.

Ashot Nanayan

In addition to personal coaching, Ashot leads the SEO education programs at Digital World Institute, where he trains marketers and founders through live, hands-on sessions. 

The program’s focus on real projects and measurable outcomes reflects his teaching philosophy, built on clarity, structure, and long-term impact.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Proven success across SaaS, B2B, and service industries
  • Deep understanding of content-driven and technical SEO
  • Clear communication and step-by-step instructions
  • Focus on long-term growth and real business impact.

In the long run, Ashot Nanayan stands out in 2026 as a coach who brings both expertise and structure. Naturally, he helps marketers and founders turn SEO into a predictable, sustainable growth channel.

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Brian Dean

Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko, is one of the most respected educators in SEO. His research-based approach and clear communication style have made him a go-to coach for marketers who want actionable, well-structured SEO guidance.

Brian Dean

He focuses on high-impact areas such as link building, keyword strategy, and content optimisation. Every lesson is rooted in tested methods that emphasise quality, user intent, and measurable results.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Recognised authority with years of proven SEO experience
  • Deep focus on link-building and content-driven growth
  • Easy-to-follow instructions supported by real-world examples
  • Practical frameworks for sustainable, long-term visibility.

Considerations:

  • Availability can be limited, as much of his content is self-paced
  • Premium pricing compared to smaller or newer coaches
  • Focuses heavily on content and link building rather than technical SEO.

In summary, Brian Dean remains a standout coach for marketers seeking tested SEO systems that consistently produce long-term growth.

Aleyda Solis

Aleyda Solis is an international SEO consultant and one of the most respected educators in the industry. Her coaching combines technical expertise with a strong focus on strategy, helping marketers and business owners understand how to optimise websites for both users and search engines.

Aleyda Solis

She brings extensive experience from working with global brands, offering guidance on international SEO, site architecture, and content localization. Aleyda’s sessions are highly practical, emphasizing clarity, process, and measurable impact.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Deep expertise in technical and international SEO
  • Clear communication and a structured learning process
  • Strong reputation for practical, up-to-date training
  • Global perspective backed by hands-on client experience.

Considerations:

  • Premium pricing compared to smaller coaches
  • Availability may be limited due to speaking and consulting commitments
  • Focuses primarily on advanced strategies rather than beginner fundamentals.

Overall, Aleyda Solis continues to be one of the most reliable choices for professionals who want to elevate their technical and strategic SEO skills in 2026.

Marie Haynes

Marie Haynes is widely recognised for her deep expertise in Google algorithm updates, E-E-A-T optimisation, and penalty recovery. Her SEO coaching focuses on understanding how Google evaluates website quality and trustworthiness, making her one of the top authorities in this specialised area.

Marie Haynes

She offers detailed insights into site audits, content evaluation, and recovery strategies that help businesses rebuild visibility after traffic drops or algorithm shifts. 

Also, Marie’s approach is highly analytical, blending technical SEO knowledge with ethical, data-informed recommendations.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Leading authority on Google updates and quality guidelines
  • Strong focus on E-E-A-T and site trust signals
  • Analytical, research-backed approach to SEO
  • Personalised feedback based on in-depth audits.

Considerations:

  • Coaching style leans toward advanced SEO professionals
  • Primary focus on recovery and quality improvement rather than growth marketing.

So, Marie Haynes remains one of the most trusted SEO coaches for brands and consultants who want to master search quality, algorithm resilience, and long-term credibility.

Matt Diggity

Matt Diggity is known for his results-focused SEO coaching built on data, testing, and proven frameworks. As the founder of multiple SEO ventures, including The Affiliate Lab and Diggity Marketing, he teaches advanced SEO techniques backed by real-world performance metrics.

Matt Diggity

His approach combines technical SEO, affiliate marketing strategy, and conversion optimisation, helping learners understand how ranking improvements translate into tangible business results. 

Similarly, Matt’s coaching often emphasises testing hypotheses, analysing outcomes, and applying repeatable systems that scale.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Strong focus on data-driven, test-based SEO strategies
  • Deep expertise in affiliate and performance SEO
  • Actionable insights with measurable application
  • Proven record of ranking success across competitive niches.

Considerations:

  • Coaching intensity may be challenging for beginners
  • Heavily oriented toward affiliate and niche site models
  • Limited direct availability due to other business commitments.

Ultimately, Matt Diggity remains one of the most practical SEO coaches for professionals who want to learn tested, replicable methods that deliver consistent returns.

Nathan Gotch

Nathan Gotch is an SEO coach and founder of Gotch SEO Academy, a well-known program designed for marketers, entrepreneurs, and in-house teams seeking a structured approach to search optimisation.

Nathan Gotch

His training combines step-by-step guidance with real-world examples that simplify SEO implementation.

Nathan focuses on helping learners build repeatable systems for keyword research, on-page optimisation, and link acquisition. His teaching style is practical and methodical, appealing to professionals who prefer a clear roadmap rather than abstract theory.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Structured, easy-to-follow SEO frameworks
  • Comprehensive lessons covering both strategy and execution
  • Strong emphasis on process, documentation, and long-term scalability.

Considerations:

  • Content may feel repetitive for advanced SEO specialists
  • Program format favours self-paced learning over personal mentorship
  • Primary focus remains on general SEO rather than niche-specific strategies.

Finally, Nathan Gotch is a strong choice for marketers who value structure, accountability, and clarity in mastering every stage of SEO.

Jason Pittock

Jason Pittock is an experienced SEO strategist and coach known for his practical, data-informed approach to digital growth. Through his coaching and agency work, he helps businesses develop scalable SEO systems that align with both traffic goals and conversion performance.

Jason Pittock SEO

He focuses on bridging the gap between SEO strategy and execution, emphasising keyword mapping, technical optimisation, and content frameworks that drive measurable impact. Jason’s approach combines simplicity and structure, making it effective for both agency owners and in-house marketing teams.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Hands-on guidance built around real client scenarios
  • Strong balance between strategy, content, and technical SEO
  • Clear focus on process, efficiency, and measurable growth.

Considerations:

  • Limited availability due to active client work
  • Best suited for intermediate to advanced learners
  • Coaching style may feel fast-paced for beginners.

Jason Pittock stands out for his ability to turn SEO education into practical, revenue-oriented strategies that help marketers and businesses scale confidently in 2026.

Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz is one of the most recognised figures in SEO, best known for his deep understanding of Google’s search ecosystem and his role as the founder of Search Engine Roundtable. As a coach, he brings unparalleled insight into algorithm updates, ranking signals, and industry shifts.

Barry Schwartz

He helps SEO professionals interpret search trends accurately, adjust strategies in real time, and maintain compliance with Google’s evolving standards. Barry’s teaching combines technical accuracy with clear explanations, making him an excellent mentor for marketers who want to stay informed and proactive.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Exceptional insight into Google updates and search trends
  • Strong analytical perspective grounded in real-world data
  • Practical advice backed by years of industry observation
  • Focus on accuracy, transparency, and up-to-date guidance.

Considerations:

  • Limited one-on-one coaching availability
  • Best suited for intermediate or advanced SEO professionals
  • Emphasis on analysis over direct implementation training.

In a word, Barry Schwartz remains a valuable mentor for SEO specialists who want to refine their expertise through a deeper understanding of how Google’s ecosystem truly operates.

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Rand Fishkin

Rand Fishkin, co-founder of Moz and SparkToro, is one of the most influential figures in modern SEO. His coaching style focuses on strategic thinking, audience research, and data-driven marketing that extends beyond keyword rankings.

Rand Fishkin

He teaches marketers how to understand search intent, analyse the competitive market, and build sustainable visibility through authentic content and smart positioning. 

Rand’s sessions often explore how SEO connects with brand storytelling and customer psychology, helping learners move from tactical execution to strategic leadership.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Strong focus on SEO strategy, audience targeting, and positioning
  • Clear, engaging communication style that simplifies complex topics.

Considerations:

  • Availability may be limited due to business commitments
  • Less focus on hands-on technical SEO or implementation details
  • Coaching appeals more to senior marketers and strategists than beginners.

In short, Rand Fishkin remains a trusted voice for professionals who want to understand SEO as part of a broader marketing and brand-building ecosystem.

Cyrus Shepard

Cyrus Shepard is a respected SEO strategist and educator known for his clarity and technical precision. As the founder of Zyppy SEO, he offers coaching that blends practical implementation with strategic thinking, guiding professionals to refine site performance and content structure with measurable results.

Cyrus S.

His sessions focus on actionable on-page SEO, internal linking, and site architecture improvements that directly impact rankings. Cyrus is also known for testing and analysing SEO experiments, turning complex insights into simple, repeatable processes.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Deep expertise in technical and on-page SEO
  • Strong analytical mindset supported by hands-on testing
  • Clear, logical explanations suited for professional marketers.

Considerations:

  • Limited access for one-on-one sessions
  • Focused primarily on technical rather than creative SEO elements.

So, Cyrus Shepard remains one of the most dependable coaches for marketers who want a technical, data-informed approach to improving site performance and long-term visibility.

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Jono Alderson

Jono Alderson is a technical SEO specialist and digital strategist known for his expertise in site performance, structured data, and analytics integration. His coaching combines a deep understanding of search technology with practical instruction on how to optimise sites for both speed and scalability.

Jono Alderson

He focuses on the technical foundations that influence visibility, including schema markup, indexing control, and user experience signals. Jono’s approach helps businesses strengthen their SEO infrastructure while maintaining clean, efficient, and measurable digital ecosystems.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Advanced technical SEO and structured data knowledge
  • Clear, methodical teaching style suitable for developers and marketers
  • Deep experience with analytics, automation, and site architecture.

Considerations:

  • Best suited for teams with existing SEO knowledge
  • Focuses heavily on technical systems rather than creative content
  • Limited flexibility for learners seeking broader marketing training.

In the end, Jono Alderson is an ideal coach for businesses and professionals who want to master the technical side of SEO and build websites that perform flawlessly under search scrutiny.

Steve Wiideman

Steve Wiideman is a seasoned SEO coach and consultant known for his strong focus on local, multi-location, and franchise SEO. His teaching style combines technical precision with actionable frameworks that help businesses improve search visibility across multiple markets.

Steve Wiideman

He offers personalised coaching sessions covering auditing, keyword strategy, and user experience optimisation. Steve’s approach highlights process-driven SEO management, giving marketers and business owners the tools to track and scale their performance effectively.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Deep specialisation in local and multi-location SEO
  • Emphasis on measurable performance and consistent tracking.

Considerations:

  • The coaching schedule can be limited due to ongoing agency work
  • Best suited for local or franchise-focused businesses
  • Less emphasis on content marketing or creative branding aspects.

Steve Wiideman is a reliable choice for professionals who want a clear, results-focused SEO roadmap designed to improve visibility at both the local and national levels.

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Dixon Jones

Dixon Jones is a respected SEO veteran known for his expertise in link intelligence, semantic SEO, and search data analysis. As the CEO of InLinks, he has played a key role in helping marketers understand how entities and context shape search visibility.

Dixon Jones

He focuses on teaching how to use structured data, topic clustering, and internal linking to build authority. His coaching style blends strategic insight with practical examples, making complex SEO concepts clear and actionable.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Deep knowledge of entity-based and semantic SEO
  • Strong analytical mindset and technical depth
  • Practical instruction with a focus on measurable outcomes.

Considerations:

  • Best suited for advanced SEO professionals or strategists
  • Less emphasis on content marketing or creative outreach.

Because of his depth in data interpretation and semantic strategy, Dixon Jones is ideal for professionals ready to advance beyond basic SEO practices and master the technical side of modern search.

Craig Campbell

Craig Campbell is a well-known SEO trainer and consultant with over two decades of experience in search marketing. Based in the UK, he’s recognised for his straightforward approach and ability to explain complex SEO techniques in a clear, results-oriented way.

Craig Campbell

He focuses on link-building strategies, affiliate SEO, and digital entrepreneurship. Craig’s coaching often blends practical lessons with real-life case studies, making his sessions valuable for learners who want to see SEO in action.

Coaching Strengths:

  • Extensive experience across multiple SEO models and industries
  • Practical, example-driven teaching style
  • Focus on link building, monetisation, and affiliate growth
  • Accessible to both beginners and advanced professionals.

Considerations:

  • Coaching style can feel fast-paced or direct for some learners
  • Heavy focus on affiliate and link-building strategies
  • Limited emphasis on enterprise or technical SEO training.

For those seeking a candid, hands-on coach with real-world insight and proven results, Craig Campbell offers an engaging and highly practical SEO learning experience.

How We’ve Compiled the List

Each SEO coach featured here has been evaluated based on experience, teaching quality, client feedback, and real-world results. We reviewed multiple factors, including years in the industry, areas of specialisation, coaching accessibility, and reputation within the SEO community.

Our selection prioritises coaches who combine practical knowledge with clarity, structure, and proven success across different business types. 

Consequently, the goal was to highlight experts who not only teach SEO but also demonstrate its measurable impact through their own work and case studies.

Our list reflects a mix of established industry leaders and emerging educators, giving you options to choose the right mentor based on your learning goals, budget, and preferred coaching style.

The Bottom Line

SEO coaching is no longer about theory but about applying tested strategies that produce measurable outcomes. The best coaches help professionals cut through noise, focus on what drives growth, and adapt to constant changes in search algorithms.

Each coach in this list offers something unique. Some excel in technical SEO and data interpretation, while others focus on content, strategy, or link-building. The right choice depends on your goals, experience level, and the type of support you value most.

At the end of the day, we believe, our insights gained from the right mentor can shape not just rankings but the long-term success of an entire digital strategy.

FAQs for Top 14 SEO Coaches for 2026 List

What should I look for when choosing an SEO coach?

You should look for a coach with proven, real-world results and deep experience in the area you need help with, whether it's technical SEO, content strategy, or local search. Also, consider their teaching style and whether it matches how you learn best. A good coach provides clear, structured guidance that translates into measurable growth for your business.

Is it better to choose a coach who specialises in one area of SEO?

It depends entirely on your goals. If you have a specific challenge, like recovering from a Google penalty or expanding internationally, a specialist like Marie Haynes or Aleyda Solis is an excellent choice. For broader guidance, a coach with a more generalist approach might be more suitable. The key is to match their expertise to your immediate business objectives.

How is working with an SEO coach different from taking an online course?

An SEO coach offers personalised guidance tailored to your specific challenges and business goals. Unlike a self-paced course, a coach provides direct feedback, accountability, and strategic insights based on their hands-on experience. This direct mentorship helps you apply concepts effectively and avoid common mistakes.

Are the coaches on this list suitable for beginners?

The list includes coaches for various skill levels. Some, like Craig Campbell, are accessible to beginners, while others, such as Dixon Jones or Jono Alderson, are better suited for intermediate to advanced professionals with existing knowledge. It's important to review each coach's focus to find one that aligns with your current experience level.

Why is it important that an SEO coach has experience in different industries?

A coach with diverse industry experience, like Ashot Nanayan, can apply fundamental SEO principles to unique business models, from SaaS to local services. This adaptability ensures the strategies you learn are relevant and effective for your specific market, not just a generic template. The team at Robin Waite values this practical application when evaluating top professionals.

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