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Community Originally posted June 18, 2012 Lightly updated April 25, 2026

Top Internet Marketing Experts to Follow (2012 Archive)

Editor's note

Originally published by Anna in June 2012. Keeping this as a time capsule. Twitter is now X, Google+ is long gone, and a few folks have moved on, but a surprising number of these names are still doing great work in the industry over a decade later. Handles below reflect the Twitter/X usernames at the time of publication.

Hi, I'm Anna. I've been with McKremie for a little while now. One of my expanded roles was to head up our company Twitter account at @McKremie. When I first started I had questions like:

  • Who are the best people in internet marketing, both social media and SEO, to follow?
  • Where do I find a good list for both Twitter and Google+?

There were some lists out there, but not quite what I was looking for. With Stuart's help I put together what I think is a great starting point for finding people to follow. Don't get butt-hurt if your name isn't on the list. It's not definitive and it's not in any specific order. I tried to put together a mix of online marketers. If you feel I missed important names in the industry, leave a comment.

The list

Patrick Altoft
@patrickaltoft

Director of Search at Branded3, a leading SEO and digital agency in the UK.

Debra Mastaler
@debramastaler

Link building, online marketing, content promotion, publicity. Loves her garden, southern rock, NCIS, the mountains, Virginia, and being a Mom.

Matt Sawyer
@mattuk

London and Surrey based social media junkie. Part time blogger, full time timewaster. Head of SEO and Digital Marketing at Datadial.

Kris Roadruck
@KrisRoadruck

Passionate SEO with an affinity for sushi and energy drinks. Enthusiastic algo-poking scalable link building strategist.

Matt McGee
@mattmcgee

Executive News Editor at SearchEngineLand.com and MarketingLand.com, speaker, marketing consultant, founder of atu2.com, author of 'U2: A Diary', husband, dad.

Harris Schachter
@OptimizePrime

Transform into findability. Or, you know, a truck. I do SEO, CRO, analytics, and eat raw data for breakfast.

Stuart McHenry
@smindsrt

I do internet marketing via social media and search engine optimization for @mckremie. Oh, and I BBQ too.

Barry Schwartz
@rustybrick

Search Geek.

Ruth Burr
@ruthburr

SEO, data-driven marketer, and grilled cheese sandwich enthusiast living in and loving Seattle.

Ben Cook
@Skitzzo

Rants… now with a smile.

Greg Boser
@GregBoser

President of BlueGlass Interactive, Inc.

Jason Acidre
@jasonacidre

CEO at Xight Interactive. Author of Kaiserthesage, an SEO blog. Loves bacon, One Piece, crime movies, history, and Glassjaw.

Michael Dorausch
@chiropractic

Yes, I'm a real Los Angeles chiropractor. Also Planet Chiropractic guy, SEO speaker, distance runner, author, and photographer.

Alan Bleiweiss
@AlanBleiweiss

Forensic SEO consultant, blogger, author, speaker, and snarky rant specialist.

Arnie Kuenn
@ArnieK

CEO of Vertical Measures, a search, social, and content marketing services company. Frequent speaker. Author of Accelerate!

Dr. Peter J. Meyers
@dr_pete

I'm the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. I may not look like much, but I've got it where it counts, kid.

Elisabeth Osmeloski
@elisabethos

Exec Editor at SearchEngineLand.com, President of SLCSEM.org (Utah's Professional Search Marketing Association). Marketing geek and travel writer.

Gerald Weber
@the_gman

Professional SEO, social media enthusiast, link builder, entrepreneur, blogger, skydiver. Always a student.

Ian Lurie
@portentint

Founder and CEO of Portent, Inc. Speaker. Internet marketer.

Bill Sebald
@billsebald

SEO for 13 years, from big brand ecomm to small brand B2B.

Jenny Stradling
@dayofjen

CEO at Eminent SEO. SEM strategist, social media girl, blogger, music lover, soul searcher.

Joel Klettke
@cstechjoel

SEO by day. Copywriter by night. Handsome during both. Occasionally modest. Will write for couch money.

Matt Siltala
@Matt_Siltala

Founder of Dream Systems Media. Specializes in social media, viral marketing, branding, and SEO. Regular search industry speaker.

Joe Hall
@joehall

Web head, code poet, geek, marketer, writer, and artist. Runs @22Media.

Dennis Goedegebuure
@TheNextCorner

VP Internet Marketing, Geeknet Inc. Working on a startup. Addicted to innovation, blogging, chocolate, travel, and the interwebs.

Darren Shaw
@EdmontonSEO

Founder of @whitespark. Interested in all things SEO.

Jennifer Sable Lopez
@jennita

Mom, SEO, geek, lover of Nutella, Buddhist wannabe. Community Manager at SEOmoz.

Michelle Robbins
@MichelleRobbins

Caffeine-based life form. VP of Technology for Search Engine Land, Marketing Land, SMX, and Search Marketing Now at Third Door Media.

Rhea Drysdale
@Rhea

CEO of Outspoken Media. SEO, link dev, and ORM specialties. Ginger kid. Based in Troy, NY. Florida native.

David Wallace
@DavidWallace

Founder and CEO of SearchRank. Full-service search and social media marketing firm providing internet marketing services since 1997.

Julie Joyce
@JulieJoyce

Owner of the link building company Link Fish Media, Inc., and co-founder of SEO Chicks.

Sean Si
@h3sean

SEO. Internet marketing. Ice cream.

Joanna Butler
@JoannaButler

Usually found optimizing: SEO, analytics, code. Or on a horse exploring the countryside.

Sarah Carling
@SarahCarling

Co-founder of ObsidianEdge. The 'crazy ginger chick' internet marketer, blogger, and ranter.

Eppie Vojt
@eppievojt

SEO, online marketer, web developer, brand enthusiast. Known to rock a mic when the mood is right. Long-suffering Pitt fan.

Maile Ohye
@maileohye

Having fun in the city, working at Google, optimizing for genuine moments.

Kelsey Libert
@KelseyLibert

Blogger Outreach Specialist at BlueGlass. COO at Experiences.com. Entrepreneur.

Akvile Harlow
@AkvileHarlow

Internet Marketing and Ad Operations Manager at SMX, Search Engine Land, Marketing Land. Wife, music aficionado, painter, snowboarder, wanderluster.

Jon Cooper
@PointBlankSEO

I'm the link builder Google needs, not the one it deserves.

Rob Woods
@robdwoods

Marketing Manager / SEO for Reinvent and SEO consultant. Camping, fly fishing, BBQ, beer, wine, food, old cars, and my kids. While you're ranting I'm ranking.

Greg Finn
@gregfinn

Remind people that profit is the difference between revenue and expense. This makes you look smart. — Scott Adams.

Sadie Sherran
@seobelle

According to 4 out of 7 doctors I most certainly am not crazy. My views are my own, no one else would take them.

Wil Reynolds
@wilreynolds

Founder of SEER Interactive. Loves helping clients grow their business, loves building links, loves helping others in the community, loves his team, loves his wife and dog.

Bill Slawski
@bill_slawski

Passionate about search, patents, the environment, music, and life.

Andy Beal
@AndyBeal

CEO of Trackur, author of Radically Transparent, and founder of Marketing Pilgrim. Photographer, taekwondo black belt, ukulele player, Christian.

Todd Friesen
@oilman

Recommended by 4 out of 5 people that recommend things.

Mike King
@iPullRank

Director of Inbound Marketing at iAcquire. (Former SEO at Razorfish and Publicis Modem.) Making your website money since 2006.

Mike Blumenthal
@mblumenthal

Google Maps and local search. Is there anything else?

Rand Fishkin
@randfish

CEO and founder of SEOmoz. Tweets 50-75 times per week, primarily on inbound marketing, SEO, startups, and entrepreneurship.

Ash Buckles
@ashbuckles

President of SEO.com. Likes: Android, art, blogging, mobile, SEO, travel, web design and development. Co-host of #seochat on Twitter Thursday 7 pm Mountain.

Steve Wiideman
@seosteve

SEO and search engine optimization expert savvy with universal search and internet marketing.

Kevin Mullett
@kmullett

Geek, designer, web dev, UX/UI, marketing, SEO/SEM, public speaker, SMO, social media bla bla, LAN party nut, photographer, observer of all things web.

Joanna Lord
@JoannaLord

Director of Acquisition and Retention Marketing at SEOmoz. Social media lover and blog enthusiast. Sleeps rarely. Caffeinates often.

Brent Csutoras
@brentcsutoras

Social media consultant.

Virginia Nussey
@VirginiaNussey

Pro writer, novice yogini, budding lion turtle. Peanut butter and chocolate is my kryptonite.

David Mihm
@davidmihm

Local search optimization specialist and president of GetListed.org.

Frank Watson
@AussieWebmaster

CEO Kangamurra Media, SEW Forum editor, columnist, all things web follower.

Melissa Fach
@SEOAware

Managing Editor at SEJ, owner of SEOAware.com. SEO consultant, website dev. Wife, mom, big cat volunteer, Star Wars fan.

Lane R. Ellis
@lanerellis

Technology writer, lead editor for PubCon/WebmasterWorld, genealogist, runner, vegetarian, and folk music fan.

Shelli Walsh
@shellshockuk

Creative content for link building. A little bit geek. A lot design snob.

Nicki Hicks
@nickihicks

Web marketing geek, puppy momma, cheerleading coach, pescatarian, wine lover, pseudo artist, wannabe nutritionist, yogini, runner, eternal optimist.

Dan Thies
@danthies

White hat black belt.

Colby Almond
@colbyalmond

SEO, viral, and infographic marketing expert for 97th Floor. Author of Pinteresting Secrets.

Ross Hudgens
@RossHudgens

SEO Manager at Full Beaker, Inc. Lead generation and management. Scalable link building strategist.

Danny Sullivan
@dannysullivan

Editor of SearchEngineLand.com, covering Google, SEO, PPC, and all aspects of search engines and search marketing.

David Leonhardt
@amabaie

Thinking outside the box for success online. SEO, viral, writing, and a little bit of happiness for good measure.

Justin Briggs
@justinrbriggs

SEO and social media at Big Fish Games. SEO. Movie buff. Geek. Zombie lover.

Donna Fontenot
@DonnaFontenot

eBusiness coach, inbound marketing geek, and novelist whose motto is: You'll never shine if you don't glow.

Eric Enge
@stonetemple

Holistic internet marketing optimization practitioner.

Ann Smarty
@seosmarty

(Guest) blogging addict and excited owner of MyBlogGuest.com.

Jim Boykin
@jimboykin

CEO of Internet Marketing Ninjas.

Brett Tabke
@btabke

Founder of PubCon and WebmasterWorld, Inc. Passions: community building, conferences, affiliate, speaker, author, coder, ML programmer.

Michael Gray
@graywolf

Sometimes I feel like a bot, sometimes I don't.

Marty Weintraub
@aimclear

Author, speaker, world traveler. Loves Sonoma, Napa, Oregon, NoCal, Nantucket, BWCA, and my awesome family.

Hugo Guzman
@hugoguzman

Like my tweets? You'll like my blog even better.

Jenny Lynn
@JennyLynnSEM

SEM specialist for a global natural health corporation. Interests in social media marketing, reputation management, and SEO.

Chris Bennett
@chrisbennett

CEO/Founder of 97th Floor, an SEO/social media firm. Link building and viral marketing. Family man who loves to surf, snowboard, and travel.

Matt Cutts
@mattcutts

Head of the webspam team at Google.

Jill Whalen
@jillwhalen

CEO, High Rankings. A pioneer in SEO consulting.

Chris Winfield
@chriswinfield

Co-founder and CMO of BlueGlass, an amazing internet marketing company. Talks about PR, his daughter, business, social media, and Charlie.

Chris Countey
@chriscountey

Director of SEO for Webimax. Obsessed with page speed, architecture, data, and learning.

Brian Clark
@copyblogger

Content marketing, online publishing, and copywriting advice from the editorial team at Copyblogger Media.

Dan Shure
@dan_shure

Three things I love. Music, my wife, and SEO. That's the order I discovered them.

Todd Malicoat
@stuntdubl

Student, teacher, SEO consultant, domainer, lifestyle entrepreneur, fisherman.

Aaron Wall
@seobook

Covers the SEO and search marketing space as well as general changes to the web.

James Agate
@jamesagate

Skyrocket SEO founder. Content-led link building services to agencies and businesses.

Peter Attia
@PeterAttia

I like banjos and SEO.

Neil Patel
@neilpatel

I'm kind of a big deal.

Eric Ward
@ericward

Eric Ward offers content linking strategies and is the publisher of LinkMoses.

Dave Naylor
@DaveNaylor

Head of Search Marketing at Bronco.co.uk. Speaks at lots of conferences on SEO. Bronco is a leading SEO, web dev, and design agency.

CK Chung
@cKdisco

Entrepreneur and SEO consultant at WEBOSIS. SoCal transplant via Chicago. Serial hobbyist: sports, music, photography, learning. Primalist: paleo, IF, barefoot running.

Stephan Spencer
@sspencer

World-renowned SEO author, speaker, and strategist. Co-author of The Art of SEO, a 600-page primer on search engine optimization published by O'Reilly.

Kim Krause Berg
@kim_cre8pc

Usability/UX/SEO/IA consultant. Founder of Cre8asiteforums. Usability/IA tutor at Search Engine College. Columnist, speaker, mom.

Ralph Tegtmeier
@fantomaster

Dominating search engines since 1996. SEO consulting, services, and software development. Link building. Automatic content generation.

Lauren Litwinka
@beebowLauren

Publications Manager and Online Account Manager at aimClear. Likes: good music, good movies, good wine, gummy worms.

Lisa Myers
@LisaDMyers

CEO at SEO and social media agency Verve Search. Founder of the blog SEO-Chicks.com and co-founder of StateofSearch.com.

John Andrews
@johnandrews

Seattle SEO, since the beginning.

Alex Bennert
@seosylph

Lives in Maine and works in Manhattan. Does SEO and loves the job. Married to a man called Huckleberry. Travels to warm places with the kiddo.

Dharmesh Shah
@dharmesh

Entrepreneur. Founder/CTO of HubSpot. Inbound marketing and startup blogger at OnStartups.com.

Monica Wright
@monicawright

Community Editor at Search Engine Land and Marketing Land. Painting, music, and KARA-TAY!

AJ Kohn
@ajkohn

Owner, Blind Five Year Old. Marketing Land curator. SEOmoz Search Ranking Panelist. Interested in SEO, PPC, technology, social media, UX, and design.

About this post

Originally written by Anna McHenry, then Director of Client Services at McKremie. Republished as part of the archive.

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