Who are the best SEO specialists in Australia?
Australia has a talented community of SEO specialists helping businesses improve their visibility in Google, attract organic traffic and navigate the changing search landscape. But SEO is evolving.
With the emergence of generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Google's AI Overviews and Perplexity, businesses are increasingly thinking beyond traditional search rankings. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) are becoming important parts of the conversation.
Finding an SEO specialist who understands both traditional search and the changing AI search landscape is becoming increasingly valuable.
Whether you're a business looking for an SEO consultant, a marketing leader wanting to improve organic visibility, or simply interested in following Australia's leading search professionals, here are nine SEO specialists worth knowing.
This list includes professionals with different areas of expertise, from technical SEO and enterprise search to content strategy, eCommerce and AI search.
A note on selection: This is an editorial list, not a definitive ranking. The specialists have been selected based on their professional experience, areas of expertise, industry contributions and relevance to the evolving search landscape. They are presented alphabetically by first name within the numbered list, rather than ranked by performance.
1. Amanda King
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Specialty: Enterprise SEO, technical SEO, content strategy and growth
Company: FLOQ
Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn
Amanda King is a Sydney-based SEO and growth strategist and the principal consultant at FLOQ, an independent consultancy helping businesses connect their digital presence with broader commercial objectives.
With approximately 15 years of experience across APAC, the United States and Europe, Amanda brings a business-focused perspective to SEO.
Her background includes leading SEO for Optus's postpaid portfolio, alongside experience in data analytics, conversion rate optimisation, content strategy and technical SEO.
Amanda is also an established industry contributor and speaker. She regularly contributes to Search Engine Land, an internationally recognised search marketing publication, and speaks at conferences across Australia and internationally.
What makes Amanda particularly interesting is her approach to connecting SEO with business outcomes. Rather than treating organic search as an isolated marketing channel, she considers how search, content, analytics and conversion work together to drive growth.
Why follow Amanda: If you're interested in enterprise SEO, business-led organic growth, technical SEO and translating search strategy into commercial results, Amanda is worth following.
2. Brodie Clark
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Specialty: Technical SEO, eCommerce SEO and organic search
Company: Brodie Clark Consulting
Connect with Brodie on LinkedIn
Brodie Clark is an independent SEO consultant based in Melbourne, specialising in technical SEO and organic search strategy for large and complex websites.
With more than a decade of experience, Brodie has worked with major international brands and websites, including Tripadvisor, Shutterstock, HP and Bed Bath & Table.
He is particularly well known for his analysis of Google Search developments, algorithm updates and changes to search engine results pages (SERPs).
Brodie was named Young Search Professional of the Year in 2019 and has become a recognised contributor to international SEO publications.
His independent consulting practice focuses on helping businesses navigate complex SEO challenges, including website migrations, indexing, technical optimisation and organic growth.
Why follow Brodie: Brodie is an excellent person to follow if you're interested in understanding how Google Search works, keeping up with algorithm changes and navigating technical SEO challenges on large websites.
3. Dan Petrovic
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Specialty: Technical SEO, AI search, GEO and search research
Company: DEJAN AI
Dan Petrovic is the founder of DEJAN AI, an Australian search marketing and AI SEO business.
With more than 20 years of experience in search marketing, Dan has built a reputation for his technical expertise, original research and experimentation into how search engines work.
He is particularly interested in understanding the underlying technology behind search engines and AI systems, including how large language models retrieve information, interpret brands and select sources for their responses.
Dan is a double Google award winner and regularly speaks at international industry conferences, including Ahrefs Evolve and SEO Week.
As generative AI changes how people discover information, Dan has become an influential voice in the emerging GEO and AI SEO space.
Why follow Dan: If you're interested in the technical side of GEO, AI search visibility and understanding how platforms such as ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews select and reference information, Dan is one of the Australian experts worth following.
4. Destiny Flaherty
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Specialty: eCommerce SEO, GEO, AEO and AI search
Company: Princess Polly
Connect with Destiny on LinkedIn
Destiny Flaherty is an SEO and AI search specialist based on the Gold Coast, with experience working across eCommerce and international brands.
She leads SEO and GEO strategy at Princess Polly, where her work focuses on helping the global fashion retailer improve its visibility across traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered discovery platforms.
Destiny has become an interesting voice in the growing GEO and AEO space, particularly around how eCommerce brands can adapt their search strategies as consumers increasingly use AI tools to research and discover products.
In October 2026, Destiny spoke at Profound's Zero Click Sydney event, sharing lessons from the front line of AI search and how Princess Polly is approaching AI visibility.
She has also appeared on television through Shopify, representing Princess Polly in a discussion about AI-powered shopping, search discovery and what retailers should consider ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Her experience is particularly relevant as the distinction between traditional SEO and AI search becomes increasingly important for eCommerce businesses.
Why follow Destiny: If you're interested in the intersection of eCommerce, SEO, GEO and AEO, Destiny is a particularly relevant person to follow. Her experience offers a practical perspective on how large retail brands are adapting to AI-powered search.
5. Fonthip (Fon) Ward
Location: Toowoomba, Queensland
Specialty: SEO strategy, technical SEO, local SEO and AI search
Company: Search Studio
Fonthip Ward, better known as Fon, is an experienced SEO specialist based in Queensland with more than 14 years of experience in the search industry.
Having worked across Australia and Thailand, Fon brings an international perspective to SEO and has experience helping businesses improve their organic search visibility.
She is the founder of Search Studio, an SEO consultancy based in Toowoomba that also works with businesses in Brisbane and across Australia.
Fon works with service businesses, including trades, health and professional services, helping them improve their visibility in Google and AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini.
One of Fon's strengths is her ability to make complex SEO concepts accessible. She enjoys breaking down technical search topics into straightforward, practical advice that business owners and marketing teams can understand and apply.
Why follow Fon: If you're a business owner or marketer looking for practical SEO advice without unnecessary jargon, Fon is worth following.
6. James Norquay
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Specialty: SEO strategy, digital PR, content marketing and organic growth
Company: Prosperity Media
Connect with James on LinkedIn
James Norquay is the founder and Managing Director of Prosperity Media, an Australian SEO and digital PR agency established in 2012.
With more than 20 years of experience in SEO and content marketing, James has worked with major Australian and international brands, including Virgin Mobile, Optus, David Jones, Woolworths and Slater & Gordon.
He has also built a strong reputation as an industry speaker, presenting at more than 65 events internationally covering SEO, content marketing and digital PR.
Prosperity Media was recognised as Best Large SEO Agency in APAC in 2025, reflecting its growth and contribution to the search marketing industry.
James is also the organiser of the Sydney SEO Conference, bringing together international and Australian search marketing professionals to discuss the latest developments in organic search.
Why follow James: James is worth following if you're interested in enterprise SEO, digital PR, content-led growth and building organic search visibility at scale.
7. Kate Toon
Location: Central Coast, New South Wales
Specialty: SEO copywriting, content marketing, SEO education and coaching
Business: The Recipe for SEO Success
Kate Toon is an award-winning SEO copywriter, consultant, author, speaker and digital marketing educator who has helped thousands of Australian businesses improve their online visibility.
She is the founder of The Recipe for SEO Success, an educational platform offering SEO courses and resources designed to make search engine optimisation more accessible to business owners and marketers.
With more than 20 years of experience across advertising, digital marketing and copywriting, Kate has worked with well-known brands including Westpac, Kmart and eHarmony.
Kate is particularly passionate about making SEO understandable and actionable, helping business owners develop better website content and improve their organic search performance without getting overwhelmed by technical jargon.
She is also the founder of The Clever Copywriting School and has built a strong following through her educational content, podcasting and speaking engagements.
Why follow Kate: Kate is worth following if you're a small business owner, marketer or copywriter looking to improve your SEO knowledge, content strategy and ability to attract customers through organic search.
8. Nik Ranger
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Specialty: Technical SEO, enterprise SEO and AI search
Company: REA Group
Nik Ranger is a highly experienced technical SEO specialist and respected industry speaker based in Melbourne.
With a background in engineering and technical SEO, Nik has built a reputation for tackling complex search challenges, particularly across website architecture, technical audits, internal linking and AI visibility.
After spending several years at DEJAN, Nik recently moved into an in-house role as Senior SEO Manager at REA Group.
She is also involved in the Australian SEO community through SEO Collective Australia, where she has helped bring together professionals to share knowledge and discuss developments in search marketing.
Nik is a regular conference speaker and has shared her expertise at international events, including WTSFest and the Shenzhen SEO Conference.
Her work exploring how technical SEO principles can be applied to AI visibility is particularly relevant as search becomes increasingly conversational and answer-focused.
Why follow Nik: If you're interested in technical SEO, enterprise websites, search architecture and the relationship between traditional SEO and AI visibility, Nik is a valuable voice in the industry.
What should you look for when choosing an SEO specialist in Australia?
Not all SEO specialists have the same expertise. Some focus on technical SEO, while others specialise in content strategy, digital PR, local SEO or eCommerce.
Before hiring an SEO consultant or agency, consider the following.
1. Technical SEO experience
Can they identify and resolve technical issues affecting your website's ability to be crawled, indexed and ranked by search engines?
Technical SEO is particularly important for larger websites, eCommerce stores and businesses with complex website structures.
2. A commercial mindset
Do they understand how organic search contributes to leads, sales and revenue, rather than focusing exclusively on rankings and traffic?
The best SEO strategies should connect search visibility with business outcomes.
3. Content and topical authority
Can they develop a content strategy that builds your brand's authority around the topics your target audience cares about?
This includes understanding search intent, developing useful content and building a consistent presence across relevant industry publications and websites.
4. Understanding of GEO and AEO
Do they understand how AI search platforms are changing the way people discover businesses, products and services?
SEO specialists increasingly need to consider how brands appear in AI-generated responses, not just traditional search engine results.
5. Evidence of results
Can they demonstrate their experience through case studies, client outcomes, industry contributions or practical examples of their work?
Look for evidence of measurable improvements in organic traffic, qualified leads, conversions and brand visibility.
How is AI changing the SEO industry in Australia?
Traditional SEO remains important, but the way people discover information online is changing.
Instead of exclusively searching Google and clicking through a list of websites, consumers are increasingly asking AI platforms questions and receiving summarised answers.
This creates a new opportunity for businesses to build visibility beyond traditional search rankings.
Three concepts are becoming increasingly relevant.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is the practice of improving a website's visibility in traditional search engines such as Google and Bing.
It includes technical optimisation, content development, keyword research, link acquisition and improving the overall experience of a website.
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
AEO focuses on structuring information so that search and answer engines can understand and surface direct answers to users' questions.
This includes creating clear explanations, answering relevant questions and making information easy to interpret.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
GEO focuses on improving the likelihood that a brand, website or its content is referenced, mentioned or cited in generative AI responses.
This includes visibility across platforms such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google's AI experiences.
These disciplines overlap, and strong SEO foundations remain important. However, marketers increasingly need to consider how their brands appear across both traditional search results and AI-generated answers.
For Australian businesses, this means looking beyond keyword rankings and considering brand authority, content quality, reputation, technical accessibility and the sources AI platforms use when generating responses.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best SEO specialists in Australia?
Australia has many experienced SEO professionals. Nine specialists worth following include Amanda King, Brodie Clark, Dan Petrovic, Destiny Flaherty, Fonthip Ward, James Norquay, Kate Toon, Nik Ranger and Saijo George. They bring different strengths across technical SEO, enterprise search, content strategy, eCommerce, digital PR and AI search.
Who are the best SEO consultants in Sydney?
Amanda King, principal consultant at FLOQ, and James Norquay, founder of Prosperity Media, are two Sydney-based professionals worth considering. Both bring experience across SEO strategy, organic growth and broader digital marketing.
Who are the best SEO specialists in Melbourne?
Melbourne-based SEO professionals worth following include Brodie Clark and Nik Ranger. Their expertise spans technical SEO, enterprise search, AI SEO and organic growth.
Who are the best SEO specialists in Brisbane?
Dan Petrovic is based in the Greater Brisbane area and specialises in AI SEO and search research. Fonthip Ward is another Queensland-based SEO specialist, operating Search Studio from Toowoomba and serving businesses in Brisbane and across Australia.
Who are the best SEO specialists for eCommerce?
Brodie Clark and Destiny Flaherty are worth following for their experience in eCommerce search. Destiny's work at Princess Polly is particularly relevant for brands interested in the intersection of traditional SEO, GEO and AI-powered product discovery.
Who are the best SEO specialists for technical SEO?
Nik Ranger and Brodie Clark are two specialists worth following for technical SEO. Their experience includes complex websites, search architecture, technical audits and organic search performance.
What is the difference between an SEO specialist and an SEO consultant?
An SEO specialist typically focuses on implementing and improving specific areas of search performance, while an SEO consultant often provides strategic advice, audits and recommendations. In practice, many professionals perform both roles.
What is GEO in digital marketing?
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of improving a brand's visibility in AI-generated responses from platforms such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google's AI experiences.
Is SEO still relevant with the growth of AI search?
Yes. SEO remains an important foundation for organic visibility. However, businesses should increasingly consider how their content, brand reputation and digital presence influence visibility in AI-powered search experiences.
Should businesses hire an SEO specialist or an SEO agency?
It depends on the business's requirements, budget and internal capabilities. An independent SEO consultant can provide specialist advice and hands-on support, while an agency may offer a broader team covering technical SEO, content, digital PR and analytics.
Final thoughts
The Australian SEO industry has no shortage of talent. The professionals featured in this article demonstrate the breadth of expertise available, from technical SEO and enterprise search to eCommerce, digital PR and the emerging world of AI search.
As search continues to evolve, I expect the relationship between SEO, GEO and AEO to become increasingly important for businesses and marketing teams.
Whether you're looking for an SEO consultant, want to improve your team's search capabilities or simply want to keep up with the latest developments in organic search, these are nine Australian professionals worth following.
Know an Australian SEO specialist who deserves to be included? Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know.
About the author
Christopher Chow is a leading Australian B2B marketing leader, B2B content creator, keynote speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice.
With experience across technology and SaaS brands including Microsoft, Apple, Dovetail and Smokeball, Chris writes about B2B marketing, growth strategy, GEO, AEO and the changing digital marketing landscape. He also works with businesses and marketing leaders through growth marketing consulting, coaching and keynote speaking.
Visit chrischow.com.au to learn more about working with Chris.
