Expanding your business globally requires strategic expertise in international SEO. With 68% of all online experiences beginning with a search engine, search behaviors, languages, and digital landscapes shift dramatically from market to market, and the specialists who truly understand these nuances can mean the difference between breakthrough success and costly missteps. The best international SEO experts don’t just translate your existing content; they rebuild your entire digital strategy to genuinely connect with local audiences while maintaining the technical precision that search engines demand. Whether you’re eyeing European markets, Asian economies, or emerging regions, the right specialist transforms ambitious global plans into measurable results.
Top 11 International SEO Experts in 2024
How to find the perfect international SEO specialist? Well, you need to find someone whose expertise aligns with your specific goals and markets. The following eleven professionals have earned recognition not just for their technical skills, but for consistently delivering results that matter in the real world of global business. 
1. Raf Chomsky
Operating from his dual base across UK and Polish markets, Raf brings a unique perspective to international SEO that’s been shaped by over a decade and a half in senior marketing roles. As the driving force behind NON.agency and co-founder of SEO://DEV, he’s built a reputation for crafting growth strategies that actually work across cultures and continents. What sets him apart is his commitment to sustainable business practices—he doesn’t just grow businesses, he grows them responsibly. You’ll often find him sharing insights through his podcast or championing eco-conscious initiatives that prove profit and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
2. Aleyda Solis
This Madrid-based powerhouse has spent over 15 years turning complex international SEO challenges into growth opportunities. As a founder of Orainti, Aleyda has become the go-to expert for companies expanding across Europe and the Americas. Her technical expertise shines particularly bright in mobile and e-commerce SEO, and she’s a regular fixture at industry conferences where she shares cutting-edge strategies.
3. Brian Dean
The mastermind behind Backlinko (now part of SEMRUSH) and Exploding Topics, Brian revolutionized how we think about data-driven SEO. His content marketing methodologies have proven remarkably effective for international websites, helping brands connect with diverse audiences through compelling, research-backed content strategies.
4. Neil Patel
A household name in digital marketing circles, Neil’s insights regularly grace the pages of Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. His knack for creating practical tools and actionable guides has helped countless businesses establish meaningful online presences across global markets, backed by decades of hands-on digital marketing experience.
5. Joost de Valk
As the founder of Yoast SEO, Joost democratized technical SEO for millions of WordPress users worldwide. His approach to making complex SEO concepts accessible has particular value for businesses running multilingual WordPress sites, where technical precision can make or break international expansion efforts.
6. Danny Sullivan
Few people understand search engines like Danny does. This veteran journalist and search expert now works at Google, helping the world understand how search really works. His deep knowledge of search evolution proves invaluable for anyone trying to stay ahead of algorithm changes across different markets.
7. Barry Schwartz
Through Search Engine Roundtable, Barry keeps the entire SEO community informed about the latest industry developments. While he doesn’t take on client work directly, his reporting helps specialists worldwide stay sharp and adapt to emerging trends that could impact international campaigns.
8. Marie Haynes
When websites face quality issues or Google penalties that threaten international growth, Marie Haynes Consulting often provides the solution. Her expertise in website audits and penalty recovery has saved countless businesses from losing their hard-earned global visibility.
9. Cyrus Shepard
The former Moz leader now heading Zyppy brings exceptional site architecture and technical SEO skills to complex international projects. His understanding of how to structure websites for multiple languages and regions is crucial for businesses serious about global expansion.
10. Vanessa Fox
Creator of Keylime Toolbox and former Google Webmaster Central team member, Vanessa excels at turning SEO data into actionable insights. Her analytics-focused approach helps businesses measure and optimize their international SEO performance with precision.
11. Eli Schwartz
Author of “Product-Led SEO” and advisor to major players like eBay and Shutterstock, Eli specializes in scaling SEO for digital products that need to reach global audiences. His product-focused methodology has proven particularly effective for tech companies expanding internationally.
What Is an International SEO Specialist?
An international SEO specialist is an expert in making websites perform well in search engines across several countries and languages. Unlike regular SEO, which often focuses on one country or region, international SEO looks at different audiences around the world. This means handling technical website settings and creating content that makes sense in different languages and cultures. You can think of them as someone who helps your site “speak” to people everywhere, not just at home. They make sure your website works for search engines everywhere and feels right for users in many markets.
Main Duties of International SEO Specialists
The job covers a lot more than searching for keywords. These specialists plan and execute strategies based on how people in each country search online and what they look for. Typical tasks include:
- Researching the best keywords for each country and language through comprehensive keyword research for SEO.
- Setting up technical details like hreflang tags, which help search engines show the right language and regional site to users.
- Adjusting content to fit different languages and cultures, not just translating but localizing it through strategic content marketing.
- Building links with high-quality sites in other countries through targeted SEO link building campaigns.
- Improving local SEO in various regions by managing listings and online profiles.
How International SEO Is Different From Standard SEO
Regular (national) SEO works to improve search results within one country. It focuses on one language, market trends, and local competitors. International SEO goes further. It works for different countries and languages—so you have to think about translation, different search engines, unique competition in each place, and technical issues like domain setup and hreflang tags.
Why Partner With a Leading International SEO Specialist?
The reality is harsh but simple: having a website doesn’t guarantee international visitors will find you. As more companies chase global markets, the competition has intensified dramatically. International SEO specialists have walked this path countless times—they know where the pitfalls lie and how to avoid the expensive mistakes that can set your expansion back by months or years.
The Real Impact on International Businesses
Working with a top-tier international SEO expert often becomes the turning point for companies serious about global growth. These specialists don’t just drive traffic from overseas—they ensure the right people find you at precisely the right moment in their buying journey. Beyond the visitor numbers, these experts understand how to make your content, imagery, and conversion elements work seamlessly across different cultural contexts. This means higher conversion rates, not just higher traffic volumes. They also build genuine authority in new markets through strategic local partnerships and high-quality regional links. The compound effect? More qualified leads, stronger brand recognition, and sustainable revenue growth from markets that were previously out of reach.
How Elite International SEO Experts Drive Real Results
The most effective specialists understand that translation is just the starting point. Their approach goes much deeper: They conduct market-specific keyword research that uncovers how people actually search in each region—not just direct translations of your existing keywords. They architect the technical foundation properly from day one, implementing precise hreflang tags and choosing optimal domain structures (whether that’s .fr for France, .de for Germany, or other configurations) while ensuring lightning-fast load times across different infrastructure conditions. They also cultivate relationships with respected websites in each target market, securing the kind of local authority that search engines—and customers—genuinely trust. Perhaps most importantly, they go beyond language adaptation to true cultural localization, adjusting everything from imagery and pricing displays to conversion copy that resonates with local expectations and behaviors. This comprehensive methodology ensures visitors from different countries don’t just land on your site—they engage meaningfully and convert at rates that justify your international investment.
Criteria for Choosing the Best International SEO Specialist
Picking the right specialist is important if you want to succeed globally. You need someone who knows SEO, but also understands how to handle different cultures, languages, and technical issues. Keep these points in mind when choosing:
Needed Skills and Experience
- Good at all the main SEO areas: technical, on-page, off-page (link building), and keyword research.
- Knows how to manage sites in different languages and countries—setting up and fixing hreflang tags, picking the right domain setup, and understanding search engines outside of Google if needed.
- Experience helping different kinds of companies in various countries is a plus—it shows they can adapt to new situations.
- Comfortable with SEO tools and analytics, especially those that can track international results.
Results and Example Projects
Good specialists can show what they’ve done. Ask for examples of projects where they brought sites more international traffic, better rankings, or more sales. Case studies show their process and give you an idea of what they can do. Don’t shy away from asking for client references or details about past work if you want to check their skills and reliability.
Languages and Local Knowledge
Language skills are very important. The best specialists either speak your target languages or partner with people who do. They understand that just translating is often not enough—content has to fit local customs and expectations. They also know how local culture, holidays, and ways of speaking affect what people search for and respond to online. They should know about competitors and search engines in each country, so your site fits in and stands out at the same time.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices for international SEO experts vary. They might charge by the hour ($100-$500), by the month ($2,500-$10,000+/month), or for a full project. The total cost depends on their skills, the size of your project, and how many languages and countries you want to target. Compare the cost to the new traffic and business you could get—it’s often a smart investment as you enter bigger markets. Common Challenges in International SEO—and How the Best Fix Them International SEO can be tricky. Simply translating your website isn’t enough. The best experts know how to spot and fix common problems.
Making Multilingual SEO Work
- Translating content isn’t enough. Local words, pictures, and calls to action need to fit the market.
- Top specialists research what real people in each country search for, then adjust keywords and content.
- They set up the correct technical signals (like hreflang tags) so search engines show the right language to users.
Handling Technical and Geo-Targeting Issues
- Experts pick the best domain set-up—like using country-specific domains or folders.
- They fix hreflang tags and sort out website versions for each language or country.
- They speed up websites and make sure they work on all devices, since internet speeds and tech can be very different in other countries. Sometimes this requires careful site migrations to optimize technical infrastructure.
Managing Culture in Content
- Specialists adapt not only words but also images, stories, and page layouts to match local traditions and ideas.
- They check with local experts or native speakers to make sure nothing is lost in translation.
How to Work Well With an International SEO Specialist
Once you find someone you want to work with, being open and clear helps them help you. Discuss your business goals, keep communication honest, and agree on ways to measure progress.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- How do you research and choose keywords for each country?
- Do you have experience in our target industries and regions?
- How do you handle technical tasks like hreflang tags and domain structure?
- What does your reporting look like and how will you measure success?
- What are your fees, and what’s included?
Setting Goals and Tracking Progress
Set clear goals together. These could include more site visitors from a specific country, better local rankings, or higher sales to international customers. Agree on exact numbers or targets, like visitor increases or sales from certain countries. Check progress with regular reports and meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions About International SEO Specialists
- Who is the top SEO expert in the world? There’s no single “number one” expert—different specialists are strong in different areas. Look for someone whose skills fit your needs, market, and budget.
- What do international SEO experts charge? Prices range a lot. Expect $100-$500 per hour, $2,500-$10,000+ monthly, depending on project size and complexity.
- What makes a good SEO consultant for global sites? They need to know international SEO, technical setup, and how to adapt content for different cultures. Experience with similar projects and a strong network or language skills are important.