Hey there, digital explorers! Let’s get real about something. In today’s hyper-competitive online landscape, having the right SEO guidance isn’t just helpful. It’s absolutely essential.
As we navigate through 2026, the SEO landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed. AI search tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity have fundamentally changed how people find businesses online. Traditional SEO tactics from just two years ago are already obsolete, and trying to keep up alone can feel overwhelming.
That’s why I’ve put together this no-fluff guide to the top SEO coaches who are genuinely moving the needle in 2026.
These aren’t just “influencers” with pretty Instagram feeds. These are trail-blazing experts who’ve proven their strategies work in the real world. Let’s dive into who’s actually worth your time and investment this year.
1. Michelle LaRose – The SEO Coach
If you’re a WordPress site owner tired of SEO advice that doesn’t address how your customers actually search in 2026, Michelle LaRose is your coach. Known simply as “The SEO Coach,” Michelle specializes in authority-first WordPress SEO that gets businesses found on both Google AND AI search tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.
What truly sets Michelle apart? She’s one of the few coaches who understands that traditional SEO has fundamentally changed. While most “experts” are still pushing the same tired tactics from 2019, Michelle teaches authority-first strategies based on Google’s E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) combined with AI search optimization that most competitors are completely ignoring.
Her signature approach tackles “Death by a Thousand Blog Posts,” the exhausting cycle of churning out content that never converts. Instead, Michelle shows WordPress business owners how to identify and optimize Money Pages with high-intent keywords that bring customers ready to buy. No more wasting time on blog posts that attract random traffic. Just strategic, revenue-focused SEO.
What makes her coaching uniquely valuable? Michelle works with you live during sessions, implementing changes directly on your WordPress site in real-time. You don’t just learn theory, you walk away with optimizations already live. Her Texas-based clients (Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Southeast Texas) consistently report not just improved rankings, but more importantly, increased conversions from qualified leads who are actually ready to purchase.
If you’re in the WordPress ecosystem and want an SEO coach who understands 2026’s search landscape (not 2019’s), Michelle is your obvious choice.
Website: https://theseocoach.net/
2. Carla dos Santos
If you’re a solopreneur or mission-led entrepreneur who feels invisible online despite having deep expertise, Carla dos Santos is the strategic SEO coach you need. With over two decades navigating the evolution of digital marketing, from leading global C-suite strategies to managing teams of 125+ specialists, Carla has pivoted to an intimate mission: helping solopreneurs and established professionals reclaim their organic visibility.
What makes Carla unique is her proprietary C-I-D-D Framework, which prioritizes User Intent and Psychological Trust over fleeting algorithm “hacks.” She rejects the “black box” mentality of traditional agencies, instead offering what she calls the “Alchemy of Partnership,” a collaborative journey where she provides the technical roadmap while you bring your authentic expertise.
Carla’s approach is informed by her passions for cosmology and woodwork, allowing her to see SEO as governed systems requiring precision and craftsmanship. She excels at extracting the “gold” within her clients’ professional histories and refining it into a digital legacy that outlives algorithm updates. As she explores in her Brainz Magazine article “Beyond the Algorithm,” true SEO success is built on authentic human authority, not mechanical tactics.
A Google Analytics certified practitioner and calm guide in a loud industry, Carla is dedicated to ensuring no expert remains invisible in the digital age. If you’re a solopreneur tired of feeling overlooked despite your real-world expertise, Carla will help you build sustainable authority that actually converts.
Website: Connect with Carla dos Santos on LinkedIn | The SEO Coach
3. Jason Pittock
Ever feel like most SEO advice is either too basic or impossibly complex? Jason Pittock has mastered the sweet spot in between. His comprehensive coaching program is specifically designed for business leaders who need to understand SEO at a strategic level without getting lost in the weeds.
Jason doesn’t just teach SEO as it exists today, he prepares you for where it’s heading next. His forward-thinking approach ensures businesses aren’t scrambling to adapt with each algorithm update or industry shift. What I love about Jason’s methodology is how he integrates SEO into broader business strategy, making it a natural extension of your company’s growth journey rather than a separate marketing tactic.
His coaching combines immediate tactical wins with long-term strategic positioning, making him particularly valuable for established businesses looking to navigate new digital territories in 2026 and beyond.
Website: https://jasonpittock.com/
4. Matt Diggity
Let me tell you something about Matt Diggity that separates him from 99% of SEO coaches out there – he actually practices what he preaches, at scale. Managing over 200 first-page websites isn’t just impressive; it’s proof his methods work beyond theory.
Matt’s coaching is refreshingly direct, focusing on actionable strategies that deliver measurable results. If you’re tired of vague advice and want specific, step-by-step guidance, Matt’s your guy. His background in affiliate marketing and local SEO means he understands both the high-competition keywords that drive significant traffic and the local strategies that convert curious explorers into devoted customers.
What really sets Matt apart is his integration of conversion rate optimization (CRO) into his SEO coaching. After all, what’s the point of ranking #1 if visitors don’t take action? This dual focus ensures you’re not just getting more traffic – you’re getting more business.
Website: https://diggitymarketing.com/seo-consulting/
5. Marie Haynes
If Google’s constant algorithm updates make you feel lost in the wilderness, Marie Haynes is the coach who’ll guide you back to the path. Her specialty? Decoding Google’s changes and helping businesses recover from penalties that have derailed their SEO journey.
Marie’s approach is methodical and detailed – she’s not about quick fixes or shortcuts. Instead, she focuses on building sites that align with Google’s quality guidelines for sustainable, future-proof rankings. I’ve watched her help businesses find their way after getting completely lost when other experts had given up.
What makes Marie particularly valuable in 2026 is her deep understanding of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles, which continue to gain importance in Google’s ranking factors. If you’re in a YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) niche like finance, health, or legal services, her coaching is practically non-negotiable.
Website: https://www.mariehaynes.com/
6. Aleyda Solis
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: most SEO coaches have a limited map focused solely on English-language, US-based search. Aleyda Solis breaks that mold completely, bringing international SEO expertise that’s increasingly crucial in our global digital marketplace.
Aleyda’s coaching goes beyond basic SEO tactics to address the complex challenges of multilingual and multi-regional websites. I’ve seen her transform struggling international sites into global powerhouses through her comprehensive understanding of how search behavior varies across cultures and regions.
Her approach combines technical precision with cultural awareness, making her the ideal coach for businesses with international ambitions or those already operating across borders. In 2026’s increasingly global marketplace, this specialized knowledge is more valuable than ever.
Website: https://www.aleydasolis.com/en/
What Sets These Coaches Apart
Look, the internet is crawling with self-proclaimed “SEO gurus” who haven’t ranked a single website in their lives. The coaches I’ve highlighted above share three critical qualities that separate them from the pack:
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They actively test and implement their strategies on real websites in competitive niches
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They adapt their approaches as search algorithms evolve, rather than clinging to old maps of digital terrain that no longer exists
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They focus on meaningful metrics like qualified traffic and conversions, not just vanity rankings
As we push through 2026, remember that the right SEO coach doesn’t just help you navigate today’s digital landscape. They prepare you for tomorrow’s changes. With AI search fundamentally reshaping how customers find businesses and Google’s continued emphasis on authority signals, working with a coach who understands these shifts isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. The digital landscape will continue to evolve beneath our feet, but with guidance from these top coaches, you’ll be charting a course to sustainable online success.
Ready to transform your website’s performance and attract the qualified leads your business deserves? Reach out to one of these exceptional coaches and watch your profits start rolling in!