The short answer
Our picks for 2026, focused on independent SEO consultants you can hire directly, are Aleyda Solis, Areej AbuAli, Barry Adams, Cyrus Shepard, Dawn Anderson, Eli Schwartz, Kevin Indig, Lily Ray, Marie Haynes and Tory Gray. The list is alphabetical, not ranked, so choose based on your goals, size and budget.
At a glance
| # | Name | Based in | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleyda Solis | Madrid, Spain | International and technical SEO |
| 2 | Areej AbuAli | London, UK | Technical SEO |
| 3 | Barry Adams | Belfast, UK | News SEO |
| 4 | Cyrus Shepard | Seattle, USA | SEO experiments |
| 5 | Dawn Anderson | Manchester, UK | Technical SEO and IR |
| 6 | Eli Schwartz | San Francisco, USA | Product-led SEO |
| 7 | Kevin Indig | USA | SaaS and AI SEO |
| 8 | Lily Ray | New York, USA | E-E-A-T and algorithms |
| 9 | Marie Haynes | Ottawa, Canada | Google updates |
| 10 | Tory Gray | USA | Technical SEO |
Listed alphabetically, not ranked.
The 10 experts
1Aleyda Solis
Madrid, SpainFounder of Orainti and author of the SEOFOMO newsletter.
- Based in
- Madrid, Spain
- Known for
- International and technical SEO
- Type
- Expert
2Areej AbuAli
London, UKTechnical SEO consultant and founder of Women in Tech SEO.
- Based in
- London, UK
- Known for
- Technical SEO
- Type
- Expert
3Barry Adams
Belfast, UKFounder of Polemic Digital, specialising in SEO for publishers.
- Based in
- Belfast, UK
- Known for
- News SEO
- Type
- Expert
4Cyrus Shepard
Seattle, USAFounder of Zyppy.
- Based in
- Seattle, USA
- Known for
- SEO experiments
- Type
- Expert
5Dawn Anderson
Manchester, UKFounder of Bertey.
- Based in
- Manchester, UK
- Known for
- Technical SEO and IR
- Type
- Expert
6Eli Schwartz
San Francisco, USAAuthor of Product-Led SEO.
- Based in
- San Francisco, USA
- Known for
- Product-led SEO
- Type
- Expert
7Kevin Indig
USAGrowth adviser and author of Growth Memo.
- Based in
- USA
- Known for
- SaaS and AI SEO
- Type
- Expert
8Lily Ray
New York, USASEO strategist and speaker.
- Based in
- New York, USA
- Known for
- E-E-A-T and algorithms
- Type
- Expert
9Marie Haynes
Ottawa, CanadaFounder of Marie Haynes Consulting.
- Based in
- Ottawa, Canada
- Known for
- Google updates
- Type
- Expert
10Tory Gray
USAFounder of Gray Dot Company.
- Based in
- USA
- Known for
- Technical SEO
- Type
- Expert
What these experts offer
Technical and content reviews.
Plans and priorities.
Upskilling teams.
Recovering from updates.
Visibility in AI answers.
How to choose an SEO expert
- Check their public work and writing.
- Ask about availability.
- Agree scope and deliverables.
- Check experience in your niche.
- Ask for references.
How we chose
These are iCreativez Technologies’ own recommendations, based on our research and experience of the market. We looked for experts with a strong reputation, visible work and clear expertise in independent SEO consultants you can hire directly, and aimed for a mix of sizes and regions. The list is alphabetical, not ranked. Details such as roles, ownership and locations change, so confirm them directly before you engage anyone. Nobody paid to appear.
Looking for a partner?
Tell us about your goals. iCreativez Technologies will reply with a practical plan and estimate.
Related lists
Frequently asked questions
Who are the highest-rated SEO consultants?
Our picks for 2026, focused on independent SEO consultants you can hire directly, are Aleyda Solis, Areej AbuAli, Barry Adams, Cyrus Shepard, Dawn Anderson, Eli Schwartz, Kevin Indig, Lily Ray, Marie Haynes and Tory Gray. The list is alphabetical, not ranked, so choose based on your goals, size and budget.
How do I choose an SEO expert?
Check their public work and writing. Ask about availability. Agree scope and deliverables. Check experience in your niche. Ask for references.
How did you choose this list?
These are our own recommendations based on reputation, visible work and expertise in independent SEO consultants you can hire directly. The list is alphabetical, not ranked, and nobody paid to appear. iCreativez Technologies publishes this page and is not part of the list.
Does SEO still matter with AI search?
Yes. AI Overviews and assistants such as ChatGPT draw on well-structured, trusted web content, so SEO now includes optimising for AI answers. See our GEO and AEO services.
Can I hire these experts directly?
Many offer consulting, audits or training, but availability varies and some work in-house. Check their websites or professional profiles.