As I explore the burgeoning ad platform of ChatGPT, it’s clear that its potential isn’t quite ready to fulfill the demands of performance marketing just yet. Many early adopters, myself included, are facing challenges with proving the impact of our advertising dollars.
The big picture. According to insights from The Information, ChatGPT’s advertising options offer scant data and are devoid of automated purchasing tools. This severely limits our ability to determine if the money we’re spending is making any significant difference.
What advertisers are dealing with. I found digital marketer Glenn Gabe’s breakdown of the issues particularly telling:
No easy, automated method for buying ad space — everything from deals to negotiations still happens through traditional means like phone calls, emails, and spreadsheets.
Lack of substantial performance data to properly assess our campaigns.
Feedback from two agency executives mirrors my experience — there’s no measurable proof that these ads translate into business results for our clients.
Why I care. Delving into ChatGPT as an advertising channel means leaping without a safety net. The absence of performance metrics leaves us in the dark when it comes to ROI validation. Although OpenAI plans to scale ads to all US free users soon, the essential measurement tools are sadly lagging behind.
Jumping in at this stage requires one to manage expectations clearly — treating any foray as an experimental budget rather than a reliable performance avenue.
What’s on the horizon. I’m informed that OpenAI intends to display ads to all US users on the free and affordable ChatGPT versions in the coming weeks — marking a notable expansion from its current pilot. Advertisers are also advised to boost performance by offering more text and visual creative variations.
The irony. OpenAI, known for developing cutting-edge AI, still relies on basic tools akin to spreadsheets for ad reporting. It’s quite ironic and frustrating.
The bottom line. Despite the soon-to-be-expanded audience reach of ChatGPT ads, the infrastructure necessary to prove their value remains lacking. Those of us currently involved are spending with limited insight — essentially paying to float in the unknown.
Credit. Much appreciation to Gabe for sharing key points from The Information’s article on X.
Dig deeper. For those eager for more detail, the full article ‘OpenAI’s First Advertisers Can’t Prove ChatGPT Ads Work’ is available (subscription needed) at The Information.
I’ve noticed that AI is drastically changing the landscape for marketing agencies, and it’s a pressure felt from both sides. Though we welcomed AI as a tool to enhance efficiency, it seems to be impacting our margins in unexpected ways.
In 2024, 44% of digital marketing agencies, including mine, identified AI as a potential threat. By 2025, this concern had increased to 53%, as highlighted in SparkToro’s survey of agency owners worldwide.
The real kicker? We aren’t just passive observers in the AI disruption; we’re actually participants. We’ve adopted AI to streamline tasks and reduce costs, attempting to boost our profitability. Meanwhile, our clients are following suit, using AI to cut budgets or opt to handle tasks internally.
This dual pressure has created a challenging environment for agencies like mine.
The Promise That Became a Problem
When advanced AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude emerged, I initially saw them as opportunities. They offered ways to automate tedious tasks, ostensibly improving our efficiency and competitiveness.
Our equation appeared simple: automate more tasks with AI, reduce manpower, and profit from the savings. However, clients performed the same calculations and reached a different conclusion: why pay an agency when AI can produce satisfactory content, analyze campaigns, or generate ads on their own?
This shift prompted unwelcome questions about the value we provide.
Some services we once charged premium prices for are now being completed in-house or through automation tools. Al Sefati, CEO of Clarity Digital Agency, has frequently discussed the hurdles that boutique agencies face in this AI-driven market.
Earlier this year, I faced clients who “put marketing on pause,” despite good performance metrics. One manufacturing client even walked away from a contract due to tariff uncertainties. In tightening budget scenarios, where AI renders some marketing services commoditized, agencies like ours become easy targets for budget cuts.
The Margin Trap Nobody Talks About
We began using AI to do more with fewer team members, expecting to see higher profits. But our clients expect these savings to benefit them, not enhance our bottom line.
This has led to an unpleasant trend of shrinking retainers. SparkToro’s research indicates that sales cycles are becoming longer, with more agencies reporting delays in closing deals that extend from 7-8 weeks to over 12 weeks.
The reason? Potential clients are evaluating, “If AI makes this cheaper and faster, shouldn’t our rates be reduced as well?”
Even as efficiency through AI increases, client expectations haven’t decreased—they’ve grown. Agencies are now expected to demonstrate tangible results, link investments directly to revenue, and offer genuine ROI.
This presents a dilemma: adopt AI and risk downgrading our perceived service value, or resist AI changes and fall behind more adaptable competitors.
The Junior Talent Crisis Nobody’s Preparing For
One concerning insight from the report suggests that 66% of agency owners are worried about dwindling career opportunities for junior staff. Historically, agencies have relied on entry-level employees to perform routine tasks such as keyword research, content optimization, and campaign setup.
While not glamorous, these tasks are crucial stepping stones for junior marketers to develop skills and progress to strategy and client leadership roles. However, AI is rapidly taking over these process-oriented tasks.
This shift raises a vital question: how will we cultivate new talent if there’s no foundational work for them to learn from?
What AI Can’t Replace Yet
Despite the disruptions, some agencies are successfully navigating these changes. Larger agencies report healthier sales and stronger pipelines than smaller firms. This is partly due to their ability to weather economic changes and a focus on strategic offerings that AI cannot easily replicate.
Those of us thriving have stopped competing solely on execution. We now offer something AI can’t easily mimic: strategic insights, market experience, and storytelling that aligns with business outcomes.
“Clients desire teams that truly understand their industry,” notes Sefati.
Agencies that succeed are often those with deep expertise in specific verticals like B2B SaaS, financial services, healthcare, and ecommerce. This specialization allows us to maintain our value by offering nuanced insights and strategic thinking that AI struggles to deliver.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Commoditization
In the past, simply having the technical skills to launch campaigns gave agencies a competitive edge. But as AI and martech tools advance, more brands develop internal capabilities that rival what agencies offer.
This shift is reflected in data from SparkToro’s research, with only 14% of agencies claiming a “very healthy” pipeline, while the majority experience average or below-average pipelines.
Smaller agencies, especially those with 1-10 people, are feeling this pressure acutely. They often lack sales staff, forcing founders to juggle sales and client delivery roles, making it harder to compete when budgets shrink.
How Your Agency Can Escape the Squeeze
It’s crucial to focus on what AI can’t replicate and make strategic adjustments as client expectations rise and margins narrow.
Be Honest About What AI Has Commoditized
Embrace AI rather than shying away from it. Acknowledge what AI has commoditized and concentrate on areas it can’t;
If your agency still relies on AI-performed services such as basic content creation or standard reporting, it’s time to pivot. Focus on strategic, creative, or nuanced tasks that distinguish your agency from AI applications.
Lead with AI, Don’t Hide from It
Change the narrative around AI and lead with it in client discussions. Highlight the unique value add your agency provides beyond AI capabilities.
For instance, emphasize how only your team can fully understand a client’s market dynamics or interpret data insights contextually to improve strategic initiatives.
Rethink Pricing Models
Updating pricing strategies is essential. Outcome-based fees and performance partnerships could better align your agency’s incentives with client success, leveraging the efficiencies AI brings.
Rebuild the Talent Pipeline
Address the diminishing opportunities for junior staff by involving them in high-level strategic work alongside seasoned specialists. This approach will prepare the future frontline of agency talent as their role expands beyond AI-executed tasks.
The Old Agency Model Isn’t Coming Back
Over 64% of agencies are optimistic about revenue growth in the coming year, but this hinges on whether they innovate or wait for an outdated model to return—it won’t.
The squeeze is a lasting reality. The key to thriving is to reimagine what agencies offer and how we deliver it—making our roles indispensable, not replaceable.
Will your agency evolve to leverage AI’s capabilities and become irreplaceable, or will it be swept aside as clients discover they can handle tasks independently?
I’ve been eagerly following the latest developments from Google, and their new Ads DevCast is truly a groundbreaking resource for developers like me. This initiative offers technical insights into Google Ads and highlights how AI-driven changes are transforming ad APIs.
The new show is hosted bi-weekly by Cory Liseno, as part of the Google’s Advertising and Measurement Developer Relations team. Ads DevCast focuses on deep technical dives across key tools like Google Ads, Google Analytics, and Display & Video 360. It feels like a direct line to the experts who are constantly innovating in our field.
What’s interesting here is that Ads DevCast complements Ads Decoded, which is more about campaign strategy, hosted by Ginny Marvin. It’s specifically designed with us developers in mind, highlighting the need for a specialized approach to understanding these platforms.
The first episode, intriguingly titled “MCPs, Agents, and Ads. Oh My!”, delves into the “agentic shift” that Google is observing. With AI agents becoming the main users of ad APIs, this shift is something we’re all keenly interested in.
For those of us deeply involved with Google’s ad tools, Ads DevCast is an invaluable resource. It helps us stay ahead of technical evolutions, discover new capabilities quickly, and build efficient integrations in a landscape increasingly dominated by AI.
I see Google broadening the horizon from a niche “Ads Developer Community” to a wider “Ads Technical Community.” This change allows marketers to carry out technical tasks without needing exhaustive development cycles.
As a pilot project, Ads DevCast is still very much in development, and Google is actively seeking feedback from us to refine future episodes. It’s exciting to know we can influence its direction.
This initiative reinforces Google’s commitment to keeping us in the loop with their latest innovations, enabling us to adapt quickly and effectively in an AI-first world. Check out Ads DevCast if you haven’t already!
As a regular user of Adobe’s Marketo Engage, I recently learned that Adobe plans to discontinue the SEO feature by the end of March 2026. This information was detailed in Adobe’s February 2026 release notes, and I wanted to share my thoughts and remind you to take action if you use this tool.
I know how crucial it is to export existing SEO data before the tool’s deprecation on March 31, 2026. You can find export instructions on this page. It’s essential to act promptly, as the SEO tile will be removed from the platform starting April 1.
So, what’s the story here? Adobe’s Keith Gluck mentioned that retiring underutilized features will allow the Marketo Engage team to refocus resources elsewhere. If you’re seeking alternative SEO tools, Adobe’s acquisition of Semrush in 2025 offers a robust solution, with Semrush being a comprehensive SEO and visibility tool. (Remember, Semrush now owns Third Door Media, the publisher of Search Engine Land.)
I wasn’t taken aback by this news, as it’s been common knowledge among those who keep up with Marketo updates. Reports have indicated that not many users fully tapped into the SEO capabilities. Additionally, the Marketo Engage team hasn’t prioritized these features recently.
With shifts in the search landscape, driven by rapid advancements like LLMs, saying goodbye seemed timely. Semrush’s entry into the Adobe ecosystem feels like a fitting evolution of their service offerings.
If you’re interested, check out a related update on LinkedIn:
As someone who’s been following OpenAI’s journey, I’m excited to share that they’re laying the groundwork for ChatGPT’s advertising business. These early steps reveal that OpenAI has more work to do to measure up against major players like Google when it comes to performance and ROI.
What’s happening. OpenAI has started testing an Ads Manager dashboard with a select group of partners, confirmed by sources at ADWEEK. This tool, aimed at marketers, allows for real-time campaign launching, monitoring, and optimization, drawing parallels with the established digital advertising management platforms.
Why it matters to me. OpenAI is building a self-serve advertising ecosystem around ChatGPT with the Ads Manager, in preparation for AI assistants becoming a significant channel. As conversational search becomes more prevalent, I believe it’s crucial for marketers like us to consider visibility in AI-driven responses, expanding beyond traditional platforms like Google Search.
Getting in on this early means we could gain unique insights into performance, formats, and optimization strategies within this fresh advertising landscape.
How it works now. For now, early testers are receiving weekly CSV performance reports, which include metrics like impressions and clicks. It’s evident that the ads product is in its initial stages, and more advanced analytics and tools are likely as the program matures.
The challenge: Initial tests indicate click-through rates for ChatGPT ads are lagging behind those of Google Search, marking a significant hurdle for OpenAI as they strive to showcase the value of advertising within conversational AI.
The cost of entry. Reports suggest that some early advertisers are being asked to commit a minimum of $200,000 in spend, significantly raising the stakes for OpenAI to deliver demonstrable performance and ROI.
Between the lines. Building an effective ad ecosystem entails more than just ad inventory. As marketers, we expect comprehensive reporting, optimization tools, and reliable performance — areas where established platforms like Google have a considerable head start.
I recently had an enlightening chat with Chloe Varnfield, a seasoned digital marketer from Atelier Studios with nearly eight years of PPC experience. She shared invaluable insights on avoiding hidden Google Ads settings, steering clear of Friday mishaps, and the dangers of following Google rep advice blindly. These hard-learned lessons resonated with me deeply.
One of Chloe’s early eye-openers involved Google’s elusive account-level automated assets setting. It’s tucked away so deeply that I didn’t even realize it existed until I got an unexpected client message questioning a bizarre headline in their ad. It turns out Google had generated it automatically. This experience taught me the importance of auditing account-level settings and being proactive about Google updates.
Another lesson Chloe swears by is to never implement significant changes on a Friday. Once, she adjusted a campaign’s geographic targeting mid-conversation, only to accidentally exclude the UK. Recovery took three bewildering days. The rule I learned? Avoid major changes on a Friday and promptly audit your campaigns when things go awry.
Chloe’s most costly mistake unfolded when she followed a Google rep’s suggestion to switch bid strategies. What seemed like solid advice plummeted her campaign’s performance. It was a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in altering bid strategies, especially for businesses not hitting conversion volume thresholds. Patience and trusting my judgment emerged as crucial takeaways.
While auditing inherited accounts, Chloe often finds recurring issues like broken conversion tracking and brand-broad match campaigns—challenges that skew performance data and waste precious budget. These insights made me acutely aware of consistently vigilant account management.
Transparency in client relationships plays a pivotal role in Chloe’s success. Honest communication—explaining issues, solutions, and next steps—has shielded her from losing client trust. Her advice? Stay calm, be kind to yourself, and remember every problem offers a chance for growth.
Lastly, Chloe emphatically warns against over-relying on AI for generating ad copy without thorough review. AI should be a tool to enhance speed, not replace meaningful human oversight. It reinforced my commitment to always infuse my unique voice and critical review into AI outputs.
I realized that relying on generic traffic reports from agencies wasn’t showing real business outcomes. Budgets are tight, yet investment in vendors continues with little impact on the sales pipeline.
Focusing solely on increasing traffic volume is outdated and could hide true commercial performance. Now, it’s essential to create an acquisition strategy that impacts buyers and secures the profit and loss margins even before sales happen.
As a marketing leader, I’ve learned to question both internal teams and external agencies rigorously. I no longer settle for just operational outputs; financial accountability is crucial, focusing on pipeline contributions, LTV to CAC ratios, and cutting down on paid media reliance.
The New Path to Purchase: Why Traffic is Bleeding Your Budget
Chasing informational traffic at the top of the funnel can drain budgets. If those clicks don’t lead to sales, it’s a vanity metric rather than a meaningful business outcome.
With many consumers relying on large language models (LLMs) for comprehensive research before reaching search engines, it’s crucial to be recognized as an authority during this AI-driven research phase.
The 7.48% Reality: The Power of the Educated Buyer
The difference in traffic quality is evident. In our experience, standard organic searches convert at just 2.75%, whereas AI searches boast a 7.48% conversion rate.
Consumers today trust AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. When they synthesize content to recommend a product, that endorsement often holds more weight than traditional branded content. It’s a powerful trust-building tool.
Once a consumer clicks on an AI-driven recommendation, they’ve often already decided, based on your authoritative content, and are ready to make a transaction.
From Found to Cited: Architecting the Default Recommendation
I realized that by transforming our digital asset approach, we can secure that 7.48% conversion rate. It’s not just about ranking in search results anymore; it’s about being the definitive expert cited.
Success lies in transforming marketing strategies into structured capital management.
The old way: Generating large volumes of traffic with lengthy blog posts that don’t contribute to the pipeline.
The new way: Develop a GEO hub that offers tools like cost calculators and detailed data, establishing clear expertise and authority.
LLMs demand facts and consensus, so by building assets based on proprietary data, we become the go-to recommendation.
Strategic ROI: Using Citation Authority to Reduce Ad Spend
Viewing SEO solely as a traffic strategy is outdated. It needs to be considered a strategic asset that lowers customer acquisition costs.
I align our organic assets closely with high-cost marketing initiatives to back off on defensive ad spending when organic trust is established.
Here’s my approach to integrating paid and AI search efforts:
IF we become the default AI recommendation, THEN our paid strategy must reduce brand bidding, slashing acquisition costs.
IF we identify profitable queries through paid search, THEN SEO should proactively capture this demand.
IF a competitor gains better AI recommendation, THEN paid campaigns should quickly address this while SEO adjusts strategies to regain AI trust.
The Monthly Cannibalization Review: Your Immediate Action Item
I ensure that our Head of Search and Head of Paid Media engage monthly to review our efforts against paid brand bidding, avoiding unnecessary spending.
This strategy protects capital by reallocating funds from redundant ads to new market opportunities.
The Enterprise Scorecard: 3 Questions to Ask Your Agency Tomorrow
I challenge vendors with these essential questions to determine their value beyond task completion.
1. What’s our citation share of voice for our highest-margin categories?
Ensure organic strategies align with high-margin product research phases.
The expected response: We’ve identified the critical queries and secured primary citations, significantly boosting our market presence and financial outcomes.
2. How is our citation strategy directly reducing our paid media CAC?
Provide evidence of organic authority fulfilling demand typically met by paid ads.
The expected response: By securing key AI citations, we’ve reduced reliance on paid ads, dropping CAC and redirecting funds to new market strategies.
3. Are our digital assets structured for LLM extraction?
I push my teams to design AI-friendly content that resonates in search engine results.
The expected response: We have redefined our content structures to enhance AI extractability, leading to more frequent recommendations and increased conversion opportunities.
Demand Commercial Outcomes, Not Operational Output
In challenging times, SEO must be treated as a vital business unit with accountability for revenue outcomes.
Resist being swayed by vanity metrics. Insist on measurable financial impact to demonstrate true success.
Any agency or team unable to justify their effect on financial results won’t maintain relevance. It’s about being the cited authority before transactions even happen.
After conducting a thorough comparison of over 35 SEO agencies focusing on AI startups, I’ve ranked them based on five crucial factors. Each agency was evaluated to identify their capacity in rapidly evolving markets.
The criteria used in this assessment include:
Notable Clients (35%): Agencies were assessed based on their clientele, specifically those in AI and software startups, highlighting their proficiency in adaptable markets.
Leadership Experience Score (25%): A score from 1-5 that evaluates the leadership, focusing on their history in marketing and tech startups.
Average Reviews (25%): Agency performance was rated from 1-5, weighted more by reviews from AI firms.
Company Size and Year Founded (15%): While not as critical, company size and longevity are indicative of sustainable growth and enduring success.
The top agencies are displayed below, noting their rankings, headquarters, and SEO specializations.
Tech-focused marketing services centered on modern marketing channels like SEO, short-form video, and social media
First Page Sage
At First Page Sage, we’re leading the field with innovative SEO and generative engine optimization strategies tailored for AI companies. Our robust content production helps AI firms solidify their authority, with proven success on Google and AI platforms like ChatGPT.
“First Page Sage provides top quality content marketing with competent teams possessing specialized industry knowledge. Clients report measurable organic results within year one that significantly increased online leads.”
Clay Agency
Specializing in the technical side of SEO, Clay Agency excels in branding and UX/UI design, making them perfect for AI companies aiming to unveil products or services interactively and refresh their image in the AI realm.
“The Clay Agency worked as an extension of our own team, delivering an interface that clients are extremely proud of. Their tech-savvy teams are familiar with market trends, creatively tackling technical challenges.”
Marketing Eye
At Marketing Eye, we focus on technical SEO for tech firms, including website auditing and keyword analysis. Besides technical services, we also manage content and social media campaigns, particularly in the retail sector, while also supporting various tech companies.
One of the more established names here, our lean team thrives on blending marketing expertise with computing acumen, ensuring continued prominence in the field.
“Marketing Eye provides superior service, delivering measurable growth. Their teams are competent and professional but might require additional training.”
RNO1
RNO1 specializes in digital branding and product design for tech, AI, and commerce brands, offering technical SEO, market research, and services like AR/VR and Web3, distinguishing them from others.
Notable Clients: Prive, TakeUp, Fluxa
Leadership Experience: 3.5
Company Size: 51-100
Year Founded: 2018
Headquarters: Seattle, WA
Average Reviews: 4.2
Main Focus: Market research and UX/UI design for SaaS Companies
“RNO1 offers a redesigned website praised by users, but their teams sometimes rely too much on online management over direct communication.”
REQ
With REQ‘s expertise in branding, PR, and reputation management, we’re ideal for companies launching new products. While primarily focusing on branding and PR, our SEO services complement traditional marketing strategies effectively.
Notable Clients: Katabat, Verint, ActiveNav
Leadership Experience: 3.8
Company Size: 51-100
Year Founded: 2008
Headquarters: Washington, DC
Average Reviews: 4.3
Main Focus: Branding and UX focused SEO for tech companies
“REQ provides an excellent SEO analytics department that improves client reporting visibility and dramatically raises CTR, though improvements are needed in web development and response speed.”
Optimizely
Optimizely focuses on optimizing web pages through A/B testing, multivariate testing, and personalization, perfect for companies with solid content needing enhanced technical support.
Notable Clients: Google Cloud, Salesforce, New Era
Leadership Experience: 3.8
Company Size: 500+
Year Founded: 2010
Headquarters: New York, NY
Average Reviews: 4.0
Main Focus: A/B Testing, Mobile optimization, Conversion Rate Optimization
“Optimizely offers an intuitive UI that integrates easily, though lacking in extensive server-side testing capabilities.”
Directive Consulting
Directive Consulting excels in PPC and tech-focused marketing, offering performance-based campaigns that blend paid services with SEO to enhance visibility.
Notable Clients: Amazon, Snap Inc
Leadership Experience: 4.0
Company Size: 50-249
Year Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Irvine, CA
Average Reviews: 4.8
Main Focus: Tech-focused marketing services centered on modern marketing channels like SEO, short-form video, and social media
Over the past nine months, I’ve put Google AI Max to the test, conducting 23 in-depth analyses with 16 well-established advertisers across diverse sectors. My goal? To truly harness the capabilities of this campaign for optimal outcomes.
Of course, your own tests and insights might differ, and that’s where the real conversation begins. I’m eager to engage in a dialogue about AI Max, encourage replication of my analyses in your accounts, and explore outcomes unique to your data.
Before you dive into your AI Max tests, consider some critical elements. Two stand out:
Your campaigns must bid on crucial conversion actions relevant to your business. Utilize tools like Enhanced Conversions to polish your conversion strategy. Aim for value-based bidding when possible. Additionally, ensure your campaigns are not restricted by budget limitations. This is particularly important with AI Max as it opens up new targeting opportunities.
Let’s delve into some key insights I’ve gathered from testing AI Max.
AI Max can reach its full potential when you activate all three core features:
Search term matching.
Text customization.
URL optimization.
Campaigns that leveraged all three features saw a 40% higher success rate compared to those that only used search term matching.
Text customization can significantly enhance performance, increasing return on ad spend and extracting more value per impression. While it’s more frequently applied to headlines than descriptions, the benefits are clear.
One exciting outcome of text customization is the observable boost in Quality Score. Our analysis showed that enabling this feature improved Quality Score from 6.8 to 7.3, with ad relevance seeing the most significant rise.
Given these findings, I encourage testing all three features if possible, especially since our tests showed that only half of the campaigns utilized text customization and even fewer activated URL optimization.
If you’re testing AI Max, consider implementing it across your entire account rather than selectively. This approach facilitates a more comprehensive assessment of its impact.
Not all new AI Max traffic will be completely new to your account, with 54% of queries having been previously captured by other campaigns. Despite this, AI Max still provides an additional uplift in conversion value.
Ensure you evaluate AI Max by looking at overall account performance rather than isolated campaign tactics. Additionally, monitor how AI Max interacts with other campaigns, notably Dynamic Search Ads (DSA), since overlapping capabilities can sometimes hinder performance.
Once you’re comfortable with AI Max, explore additional testing opportunities such as partnering it with Search Bidding Exploration (SBE) for achieving even greater customer reach.
Finally, it’s crucial to experiment beyond AI Max’s current scope. Consider alternative strategies and the evolving balance between segmentation and consolidation within your account structure.
In this comprehensive report, I’m excited to share insights on the top IT & MSP SEO agencies of 2026. Our team meticulously curated this list from around 40 candidates, ranking them based on several critical criteria:
Notable Clients (30%): We heavily weighted companies with notable IT & MSP clients, reflecting their depth of experience in the field. We’ve also assessed their work in related areas like cybersecurity and software development.
Leadership Experience (25%): We evaluated the marketing experience of the company’s senior leaders specifically in the IT and MSP sectors.
Average Review Score (20%): This reflects an average of third-party reviews from platforms like Clutch, G2, and Google Business Reviews, with extra emphasis on reviews from IT companies and MSPs.
Median Employee Tenure (15%): We examined the average tenure of employees to understand the continuity and stability experienced by their clients.
Founder Led (5%): We assessed whether the founder remains involved, which typically speaks to consistent leadership, though it’s a minor factor.
Year Established (5%): The founding year provides insights into the company’s adaptability and resilience in the dynamic SEO and IT sectors.
Below, I’ll guide you through the top 9 IT and MSP marketing agencies and offer insights into their unique marketing specialties.
Top IT & MSP SEO Agencies: 2026 Report
First up is First Page Sage, renowned for integrating thought leadership with SEO strategy, distinguishing their offerings in a sea of AI-generated content. Their strategic planning has earned them clients like Equinix, placing them at the top of our list.
Next, Epsilon provides comprehensive marketing solutions, especially adept for large tech enterprises, with clients such as Epson and Dell, showcasing their prowess in managing complex campaigns.
JumpFactor stands out as a digital marketing force for MSPs, offering everything from SEO to PR management. Their strategy especially benefits mid-sized MSPs poised for growth.
Opollo might be newer, but they’re known for their agility and effective social media strategies. They’ve already partnered with giants like Microsoft, leveraging their youthful dynamism.
With deep roots in the marketing industry, The Hoffman Agency is your go-to for PR and brand development, partnered with global leaders like Oracle and Meta.
Seota Digital Marketing is ideal for businesses needing robust SEO through WordPress and Shopify sites, keeping clients satisfied with ongoing support and web design excellence.
Lemonade Stand leverages its experience as a former MSP to deliver a broad spectrum of marketing services, personalized to help clients like RE/MAX succeed.
For IT firms seeking quick results, Yes&</strong; offers short-term, high-impact campaigns, backed by robust PPC and SEO offerings, making them invaluable for launches and branding.
Finally, MiroMind specializes in international SEO and on-site optimization, positioning themselves as experts for companies needing seamless multi-market strategies.
These agencies are leading the way in 2026, shaping the future of IT and MSP marketing with their innovative tactics and committed client service.
