Don’t miss your chance to claim the highest honor in search marketing. Let’s uncover what it takes to stand out among the best.
Since I started following the Search Engine Land Awards back in 2015, I’ve watched them recognize exceptional marketers for their outstanding work. The awards not only highlight achievements but also offer winners well-deserved exposure through coverage and interviews, celebrating them with the highest honor in search.
I’ve learned there’s no magic formula for a winning entry, but certain elements make an application truly exceptional. The best submissions tell a compelling story, provide context, showcase strategic thinking, and clearly communicate the significance of the work done.
Want some insider tips from the 2026 judges? I’ve gathered insights from them to help you craft a strong and captivating submission. From common pitfalls to avoid to the standout qualities they seek, these expert insights will guide you in building a compelling entry.
Keep reading for fresh insights from this year’s judges. (Check out the complete list of 2026 judges here!)
“A great entry is a story with a goal, an action, and a measurable outcome. Tell that story effectively, and include a deck illustrating your accomplishments.”
– Amy Hebdon, Founder, Paid Search Magic
“Explain your tactics. Go beyond mentioning ‘best practices.’ Describe how your unique processes led to success. Show your insights and creative problem-solving—this helps your entry shine and showcases your company’s edge.”
– Brad Geddes, Co-Founder, Adalysis
“I look for SAY, which stands for: Situation, Action, and Yield. Provide a clear example of the situation, the actions you took, and the measurable yield achieved over time.”
And there you have it! Submit your entry today to be considered by this year’s esteemed judges. Don’t wait, as Early Bird rates expire July 10!
I’m sure if you’re here, you’re as passionate about SEO as I am. With over a decade of experience in agencies, I’ve seen a lot.
Working in agencies allowed me to hone my skills, collaborate with top talent, and partner with some of the world’s leading brands.
In my agency days, I wore many hats—from technical SEO and content marketing to business development.
Switching to in-house SEO was a major shift. Here are the seven insights I’ve gained from this transition.
1. Owning performance changes how SEO is evaluated
In an agency, a performance drop means quickly drafting a report before moving on. But in-house, handling that report is just the beginning of the journey.
I’m the one who has to interpret those numbers and turn the data into a strategy that improves outcomes.
Understanding this changed my whole perspective. Every dip in performance feels like putting my whole SEO strategy on trial.
It’s intense being directly accountable, but owning the outcome is powerful.
In agencies, a polished slide deck was the endpoint. Now, execution is everything. It’s not enough to have a pretty report. It’s about executing and measuring the impact.
Being in-house, I realized you need everyone—from designers to developers—in alignment to see success. It’s challenging but crucial.
I discovered that moving the needle involves translating plans into concrete actions. Working cross-functionally is vital in this regard.
Executing powerful strategies means working closely with every department involved. It’s messy at times, but it makes you grow exponentially.
3. The shift from agency partner to internal stakeholder
Moving in-house meant I became the client. It’s a unique opportunity to apply all my agency insights and decide the kind of client I want to be.
I’ve worked with all sorts of clients in the past, and that experience shaped me into the partner I aspire to be now.
Being patient, collaborative, and empathetic to the team’s goals helps foster a better working environment.
4. Storytelling matters more than strategy
Technical SEO is my forte. Watching metrics improve is fulfilling, but to others, it’s just numbers.
Storytelling turns those metrics into a narrative that executives understand. Crafting a compelling story around your work is key to showing its true value.
By translating technical work into clear, impactful stories, you can highlight its importance and application.
Success in SEO demands a team effort. In-house means working together across different functions. You can’t just operate in isolation.
Having allies in engineering or product management transforms ideas into reality. Building relationships with them is crucial.
6. Taking initiative and trusting your judgment
I’ve always been encouraged to take initiative. In-house, this advice is golden. Acting decisively can lead to breakthroughs—waiting could mean missed opportunities.
My experience has taught me to trust my instincts and push forward, even without explicit permission.
When I first analyzed my client’s website, I collected all performance data, pinpointed the successes, identified areas for improvement, and laid out my recommendations. However, transitioning this data into a compelling and trustworthy presentation required more than just numbers—it needed a narrative.
Storytelling proved to be the key. It is not solely for entertainment but is a fundamental tool for making sense of data, making it indispensable for effectively presenting insights.
One framework I found remarkably effective is the classic three-act structure, famously applied in everything from Aristotle’s Poetics to modern blockbusters like Star Wars.
This three-act structure allows me to guide my client’s journey from initial insights to actionable conclusions, positioning them as the story’s hero who overcomes challenges.
It’s similar to a narrative arc, but segregated neatly into three parts: the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution.
Act 1 sets the stage, spotlighting the status quo and the emerging challenge—the antagonist to our protagonist, the client.
Act 2 introduces rising action as conflicts and obstacles emerge, demanding strategies to navigate them.
Act 3 brings the climax and resolution, depicting how the applied strategies overcome obstacles and pave the path for future success.
This method offers a deeper understanding of data and transforms mere analysis into a strategic journey that places the client at its heart.
In essence, embracing the three-act structure for data storytelling fosters transparency and cooperation, aligning our goals with those of our clients for mutual success.
Step 1 involves revisiting past strategies and successes to establish the baseline of Act 1.
Step 2 follows suit by dissecting current challenges, mirroring the conflict escalation of Act 2.
Finally, Step 3 proposes solutions that serve as the resolution in Act 3, captaining the client’s progression towards their goals.
Imagine carving the path of this narrative like charting a hero’s journey. With every data set unfolds a chapter where I play the guide, bridging insights with impactful actions.
But just as with any story, reaching our conclusion doesn’t signify the end. It marks the dawn of new strategies, fresh collaborations, and continued growth.
This is how I not only deliver insights but foster trust and clarity in my partnerships, ensuring that both the successes and challenges of data transform into a compelling narrative.
In today’s SEO landscape, it’s about creating content that captivates, builds trust, and converts. I’ve discovered storytelling plays a crucial role in this process.
By incorporating storytelling effectively, I can enhance engagement, improve relevance, and transform traffic into actionable results. Here are seven storytelling techniques I’ve found invaluable for my business blogs.
7 Storytelling Techniques for Boosting Engagement and Conversions
I use these strategies to craft my content’s flow, from the initial hook to the compelling call to action at the end.
1. Hook the Reader
T.S. Eliot wisely said, “If you start with a bang, you won’t end with a whimper.” In my blogging, beginning with an engaging entry point keeps readers invested. For B2B or B2C blogs, it’s crucial to hook the reader effectively.
Here are techniques I use to captivate my audience right away:
Challenge a belief: Start by questioning established norms.
Weave a narrative: A story doesn’t need to start with “Once upon a time.”
Cite a statistic: Numbers, like “Google owns 89.9% of the search market,” can be compelling.
Make a promise: Offer enticing outcomes, such as blogs that drive traffic and conversions.
Empathize: Understand and relate to the reader’s struggles to draw them in.
Quote: Use a powerful quote that aligns with your message.
Combining these methods has helped me set the stage effectively. A reader’s issue paired with a success story often lends itself well to both B2B and B2C blogging.
2. Make Promises and Deliver on Them
I love stories with foreshadowing that hint at what’s to come. In my blogs, I use phrases like “You will learn…” to tantalize and keep interest alive.
This strategy also strengthens SEO. When I introduce keywords with promises about the content, it often boosts my click-through rate, as Google sometimes uses these excerpts.
Getting potential customers to visualize using my products is key. Instead of heavy-handed sales pitches, I rely on vivid storytelling to illustrate problems and solutions, guiding them through their buying journey.
6. Consider a Three-Act Structure
Jessica Brody says Act 2 contrasts Act 1. I introduce an approach, reveal its flaws, and provide a viable solution, crafting a compelling narrative that leads to success stories.
In the drafting process, I’m all about getting the ideas down. Editing refines that initial mess into a narrative that resonates deeply with my audience, choosing the perfect hooks and calls to action.
These techniques have not only polished my storytelling but also significantly boosted reader engagement and business conversions.
Content Quality Shows Its Worth in Performance
I’ve observed that quality content makes a difference in performance metrics. As I experiment with storytelling, I closely track these key performance indicators:
Organic traffic
Keyword rankings
Click-through rate (CTR)
Time on page
Conversions
Google Search Console and Google Analytics are invaluable tools that provide data to evaluate my efforts. With continuous improvement, I not only craft better stories but also drive tangible business results.
