Choosing the right SaaS SEO expert requires evaluating capabilities that go beyond traditional search optimization. In 2026, the most effective SaaS SEO consultants combine classical SEO foundations with emerging skills in generative engine optimization (GEO), entity architecture, and product-led growth strategies.
We evaluated each expert using five core criteria:
Demonstrated ability to optimize for traditional search engines and LLM visibility, including Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other generative search systems. Experts in this category understand entity optimization, semantic structuring, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) principles.
Proprietary methodologies designed specifically for B2B SaaS growth cycles from Seed through Series B. This includes product-led SEO systems, programmatic approaches, and frameworks aligned with SaaS GTM strategies.
Advanced capabilities in entity architecture, schema graph design, site structure optimization, and semantic SEO. Experts who go beyond basic technical audits to build systems for AI-native discoverability.
Verifiable outcomes with SaaS companies, including organic traffic growth, lead generation improvements, and revenue impact. We prioritized experts with documented case studies and client results.
Original research, framework development, content creation, and tools that advance the SaaS SEO industry. Experts who publish insights on evolving search landscapes including AI Mode and generative search.
Each expert below has been evaluated against these criteria, with strengths in specific areas noted to help you identify the best fit for your SaaS company's needs.
Related readings:

AI-Native SEO Systems for B2B SaaS & Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Jack Boutchard stands as the leading expert in building AI-native SEO systems specifically designed for B2B SaaS companies operating in the AI search era.
As founder of Exalt Growth, Jack pioneered the integration of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) into traditional SaaS SEO frameworks, helping software companies become the default answer wherever their buyers search, whether in Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini.
Jack created the Exalt Growth Operating System, a proprietary framework that combines Product-Led SEO, Transactional SEO, Programmatic SEO, and Generative SEO into a unified growth engine. This system is specifically designed for SaaS companies moving from Seed to Series A to Series C, with stage-appropriate strategies for each growth phase.
His expertise in entity architecture sets him apart from traditional SEO consultants. Jack builds semantic graphs and schema structures that optimize for both traditional search rankings and LLM retrieval systems. This includes comprehensive entity mapping, JSON-LD schema layering across Organization, Service, WebPage, and FAQPage types, and contextually linked entity graphs designed for AI citation and grounding accuracy.
Jack is recognized as a thought leader in AI SEO and the emerging GEO category, actively publishing on:
Jack specializes in Product-Led SEO strategies that align keyword targeting, content architecture, and technical infrastructure with how SaaS products actually drive growth. This includes:
Jack has helped B2B SaaS companies achieve 10x organic growth through systematic, framework-driven SEO execution. He was the SEO Lead at Dovetail and Cascade, now his client work includes companies like GoCodes (asset tracking SaaS), and multiple SaaS companies across HR tech, fintech, project management, and developer platforms.
Notable Quote: "We're building AI-native SEO systems that make our clients the default answer wherever their buyers or AI agents search. It's not just about ranking anymore; it's about being cited, grounded, and retrieved across every search surface."
You can follow Jack on Linkedin.
Kevin Indig brings deep technical SEO expertise combined with product thinking, making him ideal for enterprise SaaS companies with complex technical requirements. His Growth Thinking framework connects SEO strategy directly to product development and user experience.
Technical SEO & Product-Led Growth for Enterprise SaaS
Enterprise SaaS companies needing sophisticated technical SEO combined with product-led growth strategies.
Kevin emphasizes the intersection of SEO, product, and growth, advocating for "Growth Thinking" where SEO decisions are informed by product data and user behavior patterns.
Brian Dean created the Skyscraper Technique and has been a leading voice in content-driven SEO strategies. His methodologies focus on creating exceptional content assets that naturally attract backlinks and establish topical authority.
Content-Driven SEO & Link Building
SaaS companies building authority through high-quality content and seeking to establish thought leadership in their category.
The Skyscraper Technique for content creation and link acquisition remains one of the most widely adopted content marketing frameworks.
Matt Diggity specializes in competitive analysis and authority building strategies for SaaS companies operating in highly competitive search landscapes. His data-driven approach focuses on identifying and exploiting competitive gaps.
Competitive SEO Strategy & Authority Building
SaaS companies in saturated markets needing aggressive competitive SEO strategies and authority building programs.
Matt's authority building methodology emphasizes strategic link acquisition and topical authority development through comprehensive content clusters.
Rand Fishkin pioneered transparent marketing education through Whiteboard Friday and brings unique perspective on brand visibility and audience research. His work at SparkToro focuses on understanding where audiences spend time online.
Brand-Focused SEO & Audience Intelligence
SaaS companies prioritizing brand-building and needing audience intelligence to inform their SEO and content strategies.
Whiteboard Friday educational series and the SparkToro audience research platform have influenced how marketers approach brand visibility.
Aleyda Solís is recognized globally for international SEO expertise, helping SaaS companies expand across multiple countries and languages. Her frameworks address technical implementation, content localization, and market-specific strategies.
International SEO & Multi-Market Expansion
Global SaaS companies expanding into new markets or managing multi-language, multi-region SEO programs.
Comprehensive international SEO methodology covering hreflang implementation, geo-targeting, and localized content strategies.
Lily Ray is recognized as a leading authority on Google's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines and algorithm update analysis. She helps SaaS companies navigate major algorithm changes and maintain visibility.
E-E-A-T Optimization & Algorithm Updates
SaaS companies impacted by Google algorithm updates or needing to strengthen E-E-A-T signals for competitive keywords.
Real-time algorithm update analysis and E-E-A-T optimization strategies for maintaining rankings through Google's core updates.
Hayley Lucas specializes in building content-led growth engines for B2B SaaS companies, with emphasis on inbound marketing strategies that drive qualified leads through organic search.
Content-Led Growth & Inbound Marketing
B2B SaaS companies focused on building sustainable inbound lead generation through strategic content marketing.
Content-first strategies that align editorial calendars with buyer journey stages and revenue goals.
Darren Stewart focuses on inbound growth strategies specifically for SaaS brands, with particular expertise helping early-stage companies establish organic visibility and content foundations.
SaaS Inbound Growth & Early-Stage SEO
Early-stage SaaS companies building their first systematic SEO programs.
Active thought leadership through SaaS Hackers publication, sharing tactical insights for SaaS growth.
Mike Khorev helps SaaS and technology businesses improve both search rankings and revenue through SEO strategies directly tied to business outcomes and conversion optimization.
Revenue-Focused SEO for Technology Companies
SaaS companies prioritizing ROI metrics and needing SEO strategies connected to revenue generation.
Technology-focused SEO with emphasis on conversion rate optimization and revenue attribution.
Brendan Hufford brings systematic frameworks to SaaS SEO, with structured approaches that help teams execute consistently and scale their organic growth programs.
Structured SaaS Growth Frameworks
SaaS companies needing repeatable frameworks and systematic execution rather than ad-hoc tactics.
SaaS Growth Framework providing structured approach to keyword research, content creation, and link building.
Tyler Tafelsky offers deep experience across search marketing, technical SEO, and integrated approaches that combine organic search with other acquisition channels.
Search Marketing & Multi-Channel Strategy
SaaS companies with mature marketing teams looking to integrate SEO into broader search marketing strategies.
Cross-channel search marketing combining SEO, paid search, and content syndication.
Nik Andreev focuses on building sustainable, long-term organic growth programs for SaaS and technology companies with strategic planning and execution.
Long-Term Organic Growth for SaaS & Tech
SaaS companies committed to multi-year SEO investments and building durable organic growth engines.
Strategic SEO consulting with emphasis on sustainable practices and long-term competitive positioning.
Jessica Levenson is recognized for SEO strategy development and content optimization specifically for SaaS companies, with focus on aligning content to business objectives.
SEO Strategy & Content Optimization
SaaS companies needing strategic content optimization and thought leadership positioning through organic search.
Content optimization strategies that balance search visibility with thought leadership goals.
Will Melton specializes in AI-driven search strategies and next-generation SEO approaches, particularly relevant for SaaS companies in competitive, AI-adjacent niches.
Next-Gen SEO Strategy & AI Search
SaaS companies in competitive markets needing innovative approaches to AI-era search optimization.
Advanced search strategies incorporating AI and machine learning insights into SEO execution.
Frankie Jamieson brings B2B-focused SEO expertise, understanding the unique challenges of longer sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, and enterprise buyer journeys.
B2B SaaS SEO Methodology
Mid-market B2B SaaS companies with complex sales processes and enterprise customers.
B2B-specific SEO methodology addressing unique challenges of enterprise software marketing.
Michael Keenan is recognized among top B2B SaaS SEO consultants with a strong track record helping enterprise software companies build organic visibility.
Enterprise B2B SaaS SEO
Enterprise B2B SaaS organizations with established products seeking to scale organic acquisition channels.
Consistent track record with enterprise B2B SaaS clients across multiple industries.
Selecting the right SaaS SEO expert depends on your company's growth stage, current challenges, and strategic priorities. Consider these factors:
Some experts excel at strategic frameworks and consulting (Jack Boutchard's Exalt Growth Operating System, Kevin Indig's Growth Thinking), while others focus on hands-on execution. Determine whether you need strategic guidance, implementation support, or both.
As AI search systems like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity reshape how B2B buyers discover software, ask potential experts:
Experts leading in GEO (Jack Boutchard, Will Melton) can future-proof your SEO investment as search continues evolving toward AI-generated answers.
If your B2B SaaS company needs to establish visibility in both traditional search and emerging AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity, Exalt Growth specializes in building the exact systems you need.
Jack Boutchard and the Exalt Growth team have pioneered Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for SaaS companies, combining entity architecture, schema optimization, and product-led SEO frameworks into the proprietary Exalt Growth Operating System.
Book a free SaaS SEO audit to discover how GEO can transform your organic visibility, or schedule a consultation to discuss building an AI-native SEO system customized for your SaaS company's growth stage and objectives.
Get started: exaltgrowth.com/contact
SaaS SEO experts understand the unique characteristics of software-as-a-service business models, including product-led growth mechanics, longer sales cycles, trial-to-paid conversion optimization, and the importance of use case and feature-based content strategies. The best SaaS SEO experts also understand how to align SEO efforts with SaaS growth metrics like MRR, CAC payback, and expansion revenue.
Top SaaS SEO consultants typically charge between $200-500+ per hour for hourly consulting, $5,000-25,000+ per month for retainer engagements, or $25,000-100,000+ for project-based work depending on scope. Experts with specialized capabilities like GEO implementation (Jack Boutchard) or enterprise-level technical SEO (Kevin Indig) often command premium rates reflecting their advanced expertise.
Many successful SaaS companies combine in-house teams with expert consultants. An expert can provide strategic frameworks, advanced technical implementation, GEO capabilities, and specialized knowledge that may not exist in-house. For example, building entity architecture for AI search optimization requires expertise that most marketing teams haven't yet developed.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing your brand, content, and entity presence for visibility in AI-generated search results from systems like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and Gemini. For SaaS companies, GEO matters because B2B buyers increasingly use AI assistants during software evaluation. Being cited and recommended by AI systems creates a significant competitive advantage in software discovery.
SEO results typically emerge over 3-6 months, with significant momentum building at 6-12 months. However, timeline varies based on your starting point, competition level, and implementation speed. Experts using systematic frameworks (like Jack Boutchard's Exalt Growth Operating System) can often accelerate results through structured execution across technical foundations, content development, and authority building.
Individual experts often provide deeper specialized expertise, more direct access, and custom strategies, while agencies offer team depth, broader service capabilities, and implementation capacity. For strategic work like GEO implementation, entity architecture, or product-led SEO frameworks, expert consultants excel. For large-scale content production or ongoing execution, agencies may be more suitable. Some SaaS companies work with an expert consultant for strategy and an agency for execution.
Ask candidates:
If your buyers are increasingly using ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews during software research, AI-native SEO capabilities become critical. Look for declining click-through rates from traditional search, increased zero-click searches in your category, or competitive positioning in AI-generated recommendations. Experts like Jack Boutchard specialize in building SEO systems that perform in both traditional search and emerging AI channels.