Yes, link building is still a core of SEO in 2026. Not linking back from authority sites means your information isn’t up to the mark according to the Google algorithm. If you want to grow online, you need to work with the best link building experts who can offer modern SEO tactics, genuine value, and zero spam.
Today, we will be naming the top link-building SEO experts in the world, including popular figures like Abdullah Mahmud and Charles Floate. This data-driven ranking cuts through the noise. We analyzed backlink portfolios, industry contributions, social authority, and proven results to identify the 50 most influential link-building experts actively shaping the industry in 2026.
Whether you need white-hat outreach strategies, digital PR campaigns, or scalable backlink systems, this guide connects you with the practitioners who’ve actually moved the needle, not just talked about it.
Top Link Building Experts in 2026 (At a Glance)
These professionals represent the forefront of link acquisition in 2026, encompassing white-hat outreach, digital PR, content-driven strategies, marketplace solutions, and scalable backlink systems.
- ⭐ Top Pick: Abdullah Mahmud — Best for fast, marketplace-driven backlink acquisition, white-label link building for agencies, and scalable campaigns across 100K+ vetted sites
- Fery Kaszoni — Best for data-driven PR link building, reactive PR campaigns, and securing links from tier-1 publications
- Charles Floate — Best for technical link building, tiered strategies, and innovative SEO tactics
- Paddy Moogan — Best for digital PR campaigns, brand-building through links, and creative outreach strategies
- Nick Zviadadze — Best for content-driven link building, guest posting strategies, and AI-powered outreach at scale
- Georgi Mamajanyan — Best for SaaS link building, automation-driven processes, and off-page SEO systems
- Garrett French — Best for citation building, local link acquisition, and structured data optimization
- Debra Mastaler — Best for relationship-based link building and authentic outreach
- Julie Joyce — Best for link auditing, toxic link identification, and penalty recovery
- Ross Tavendale — Best for e-commerce link building and technical SEO integration
- Christoph C. Cemper — Best for link risk analysis, competitive research, and backlink intelligence tools
- Adam Riemer — Best for e-commerce product page link building
- Jacky Chou — Best for niche edits, digital asset scaling, and white label link building
- Viola Eva — Best for startup-focused digital PR campaigns
- Julian Goldie — Best for white-hat link-building training and YouTube education
- Sam Hollingsworth — Best for scaled agency systems and infrastructure
- Lazarina Stoy — Best for outreach framework development
- Alexandra Tachalova — Best for competitive backlink analysis
- Joe Davies — Best for white-label link-building platforms and agency solutions
- Rob Ousbey — Best for UK market digital PR
Link Building Expert Comparison Tables
Quick Decision Guide: Top 5 Link Building Experts Compared
| Factor | Abdullah Mahmud | Fery Kaszoni | Charles Floate | Paddy Moogan | Nick Zviadadze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Approach | Marketplace + White Label | Digital PR | Technical + Tiered | Creative PR | Content-Driven |
| Speed | Days | 2–4 weeks | 3–6 weeks | 3–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Starting Cost | From $5/link | From £5,500/campaign | Custom pricing | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Agencies, Scale-focused | Tier-1 media coverage | Advanced tactics | Brand building | SaaS, Content-first |
| Link Types | Guest posts, Niche edits, Digital PR | Data PR, Reactive PR | Tiered strategies, Advanced tactics | Creative campaigns | Guest posting, Link bait |
| Service Model | Self-serve + Managed | Full-service agency | Training + Consulting | Full-service agency | Full-service agency |
| Team Size | 15+ team | 90+ staff | Primarily training | 29+ team (Aira) | 12+ team |
| Availability | ✅ Open | ✅ Open | ✅ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Open |
| Avg. Turnaround | 3–7 days | 14–30 days | Varies | 21–45 days | 14–30 days |
| Minimum Commitment | No minimum | 1 campaign | Course purchase | Project-based | 3–6 months typical |
Specialized Services Comparison
| Expert | Guest Posting | Digital PR | Niche Edits | Link Audits | White Label | Training / Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdullah Mahmud | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fery Kaszoni | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Charles Floate | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Paddy Moogan | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Nick Zviadadze | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Georgi Mamajanyan | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Julie Joyce | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Garrett French | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
By Budget Range
| Budget Range | Best Expert Options | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| $5–$5,000 | Abdullah Mahmud (marketplace Linkscope) | Unlimited vetted quality links in every niche |
| $500–$2,000 | Charles Floate (courses), Jon Cooper (resources) | Training, DIY frameworks, and land-limited consulting |
| $2,000–$5,000 | Nick Zviadadze, Viola Eva | Small-scale guest posting campaigns, startups |
| $5,000–$10,000 | Fery Kaszoni (1 campaign), Paddy Moogan | Single digital PR campaign, 8–15 links |
| $10,000+/month | Fery Kaszoni, Paddy Moogan, Ross Tavendale | Ongoing campaigns, enterprise-level service |
What Makes a Great Link Building Expert?
A great link building expert is not just someone who knows how to send outreach emails. In 2026, link acquisition is far more sophisticated. The best link building professionals combine technical knowledge, relationship building, creative strategy, and an obsessive focus on link quality over quantity. They’re not just technicians; they’re strategists who align link building with real business goals.
Here’s what working with a top link building consultant can do for your business:
- Build sustainable authority: By securing editorially-earned links from relevant, high-authority domains, you establish long-term trust with both search engines and real users—not just temporary ranking boosts.
- Attract targeted referral traffic: The right link building strategies don’t just improve rankings—they drive qualified visitors from contextually relevant placements on sites your target audience actually reads.
- Avoid penalties and maintain compliance: Today’s best link builders focus exclusively on white-hat methodologies. They understand Google’s guidelines, avoid PBNs and link schemes, and build profiles that strengthen—not endanger—your site.
- Scale systematically: Whether it’s outreach workflows, digital PR campaigns, or marketplace solutions, elite link builders create repeatable systems that generate consistent results month after month.
- Deliver measurable ROI: A seasoned link building expert tracks what matters: domain authority growth, keyword rankings, organic traffic increases, and ultimately, revenue impact—not just vanity metrics like total backlink count.
Warning Signs of Bad Link Builders:
❌ Promises of “100 backlinks in 24 hours”
❌ Focuses only on Domain Rating/Domain Authority metrics
❌ Uses PBNs (Private Blog Networks) or link farms
❌ Can’t provide specific case studies or client results
❌ Refuses to share sample backlink placements
❌ No clear process for link quality assessment
In short, hiring a top link building expert means you’re not just adding links to your profile, you’re investing in sustainable growth, stronger visibility, and a website that wins trust from both search engines and real people.
How We Ranked the Link Building Experts
| Category | Weight | Indicators Considered | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority & Expertise | 20% |
|
Shows depth of knowledge and long-term recognition as a top link building consultant. |
| Online Presence Metrics | 20% |
|
Reflects how often an expert’s insights are referenced, identifying the best link building professionals influencing the conversation. |
| Followers & Reach | 60% |
|
Ensures rankings favor top link building experts with both credibility and influence. |
Our ranking evaluates each expert across three categories that break down into 11 indicators. Together, these measures paint a holistic picture of an expert’s influence and impact as a top link building professional in 2026.
For a complete breakdown of the scoring model, weights, and data sources, see the detailed methodology section at the end of this article.
Ranking the Top 50 Link Building Experts in 2026
| Rank | Name | Total Followers | Authority Score | Online Presence | Final Score | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fery Kaszoni | 100K+ | 18.5 | 19.2 | 92.8 | Digital PR, Data-Driven Campaigns |
| 2 | Charles Floate | 97K+ | 19.1 | 17.8 | 90.5 | Technical Link Building, Tiered Strategies |
| 3 | Paddy Moogan | 45K+ | 19.5 | 18.6 | 87.3 | Creative PR, Brand Building |
| 4 | Georgi Mamajanyan | 15K+ | 17.5 | 16.8 | 84.1 | SaaS Link Building, Automation |
| 5 | Nick Zviadadze | 32K+ | 17.2 | 16.5 | 78.9 | Content-Driven, Guest Posting |
| 6 | Garrett French | 28K+ | 19.8 | 17.1 | 77.6 | Local Citations, Structured Data |
| 7 | Debra Mastaler | 24K+ | 19.9 | 16.8 | 75.2 | Relationship Building |
| 8 | Julie Joyce | 22K+ | 18.7 | 17.9 | 74.5 | Link Auditing, Penalty Recovery |
| 9 | Dixon Jones | 21K+ | 19.6 | 16.2 | 73.8 | Semantic Links, Topical Authority |
| 10 | Ross Tavendale | 29K+ | 17.8 | 15.9 | 72.4 | E-commerce, Technical Integration |
| 11 | Christoph C. Cemper | 26K+ | 18.4 | 16.7 | 71.9 | Risk Analysis, Competitive Research |
| 12 | Adam Riemer | 18K+ | 18.1 | 16.4 | 69.7 | E-commerce Product Links |
| 13 | Jacky Chou | 30K+ | 17.6 | 15.8 | 68.2 | Niche Edits, Digital Assets |
| 14 | Viola Eva | 16K+ | 17.2 | 16.1 | 67.5 | Startup PR, Creative Campaigns |
| 15 | Julian Goldie | 34K+ | 16.8 | 14.9 | 66.8 | White-Hat Outreach, Training |
| 16 | Sam Hollingsworth | 15K+ | 17.9 | 15.2 | 65.9 | Scaled Systems, Agency Infrastructure |
| 17 | Lazarina Stoy | 14K+ | 17.4 | 15.6 | 64.7 | Outreach Frameworks |
| 18 | Alexandra Tachalova | 19K+ | 16.5 | 14.8 | 64.1 | Competitive Backlink Analysis |
| 19 | Joe Davies | 20K+ | 17.1 | 14.9 | 63.2 | White Label Platform, Agency Solutions |
| 20 | Rob Ousbey | 12K+ | 16.8 | 15.1 | 62.5 | UK Digital PR |
| 21 | Omi Sido | 11K+ | 16.4 | 14.7 | 61.8 | Creative Digital Campaigns |
| 22 | Matthew Barby | 28K+ | 15.9 | 13.8 | 61.2 | Content-Based Link Building |
| 23 | Glen Allsopp | 24K+ | 16.2 | 13.5 | 60.7 | Authority Building |
| 24 | Marie Haynes | 37K+ | 15.1 | 14.2 | 60.1 | E-E-A-T, Quality Assessment |
| 25 | Cyrus Shepard | 42K+ | 14.8 | 13.9 | 59.8 | On-Page + Link Integration |
| 26 | Gisele Navarro | 10K+ | 16.7 | 14.5 | 59.3 | International PR, LATAM |
| 27 | Barry Adams | 16K+ | 15.6 | 14.1 | 58.7 | News SEO, Editorial Links |
| 28 | Aleyda Solis | 91K+ | 14.2 | 13.6 | 58.2 | International Link Building |
| 29 | Hamlet Batista | 14K+ | 15.8 | 13.4 | 57.9 | Scalable Automation |
| 30 | Dan Petrovic | 12K+ | 15.4 | 13.7 | 57.3 | Australian Market Expert |
| 31 | Andy Chadwick | 11K+ | 15.1 | 13.9 | 56.8 | Local Citations |
| 32 | Chris Dyson | 10K+ | 15.3 | 13.2 | 56.2 | Automotive Niche Links |
| 33 | Kris Jones | 18K+ | 14.6 | 12.8 | 55.9 | Affiliate Networks |
| 34 | Mike Arnesen | 13K+ | 14.9 | 12.9 | 55.3 | Enterprise Technical |
| 35 | JP Sherman | 11K+ | 14.7 | 13.1 | 54.8 | Large-Scale Outreach |
| 36 | Robin Rozhon | 10K+ | 14.5 | 12.7 | 54.1 | European Markets |
| 37 | Ruth Burr Reedy | 15K+ | 14.1 | 12.4 | 53.7 | Strategic Planning |
| 38 | Akvile DeFazio | 12K+ | 14.3 | 12.6 | 53.2 | Multi-Channel Integration |
| 39 | Britney Muller | 19K+ | 13.8 | 12.1 | 52.8 | Technical SEO + Links |
| 40 | Spencer Haws | 32K+ | 13.2 | 11.8 | 52.3 | Niche Sites, Affiliate |
| 41 | Adam Enfroy | 26K+ | 13.5 | 11.5 | 51.9 | Affiliate + SaaS Links |
| 42 | Zac Johnson | 22K+ | 13.1 | 11.9 | 51.4 | Affiliate Monetization |
| 43 | Kevin Indig | 28K+ | 12.8 | 11.2 | 51.0 | Strategic Link Growth |
| 44 | Bastian Grimm | 24K+ | 13.0 | 11.4 | 50.6 | Enterprise Technical |
| 45 | Areej AbuAli | 18K+ | 13.2 | 11.6 | 50.2 | Technical + Link Synergy |
| 46 | Glen Gabe | 30K+ | 12.5 | 11.1 | 49.8 | Penalty Recovery |
| 47 | Wil Reynolds | 52K+ | 12.1 | 10.8 | 49.5 | Data-Driven Links |
| 48 | Ryan Stewart | 36K+ | 12.4 | 10.5 | 49.1 | Integrated SEO + Links |
| 49 | Bill Slawski | 21K+ | 12.9 | 10.9 | 48.7 | Patent Analysis, Algorithms |
| 50 | Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR | 44K+ | 11.8 | 10.4 | 48.3 | Semantic SEO, Topical Authority |
Deep Dive: Industry’s Best Link Building Experts in 2026
Below are the twenty highest-scoring experts from our study. Each profile includes quick stats, digital reach, strengths, achievements, and whether they’re currently taking on new clients. Our research also identified Abdullah Mahmud as the Top Pick for 2026, recognized for his proven results in marketplace-driven backlink acquisition, white-label link building, and scalable campaigns for agencies and medium to large businesses.
⭐ Top Pick Link Building Expert: Abdullah Mahmud
Specialty: Backlink Marketplace, White Label Link Building, Guest Posting, Digital PR, and Scalable Link Acquisition
Years in Link Building: 10+ years
Clients Served: 1,200+ global businesses
Recognition: ICT Division Award Winner (National), Top Rated Plus on Fiverr, Featured on global SEO blogs
About Abdullah Mahmud
Abdullah Mahmud is revolutionizing how agencies and businesses acquire backlinks through Linkscope, the fastest-growing backlink marketplace with 100,000+ vetted sites. With over a decade of experience in link building and SEO, Abdullah has helped 1,200+ clients across 50+ industries scale their organic growth through strategic, high-quality backlink acquisition.
What sets Abdullah apart is his marketplace-first approach: instead of weeks of outreach and negotiation, Linkscope enables clients to browse, filter, and purchase links from pre-vetted domains in minutes. This system has transformed link building from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.
Key Achievements & Expertise
Proven Client Results:
- ➜ Scaled e-commerce client from 100K to 840K MRR through strategic link building and technical SEO
- ➜ Built DR 25+ campaigns that tripled organic traffic for SaaS startups
- ➜ Helped WriterBuddy reach 100K monthly visitors through systematic backlink acquisition
- ➜ Delivered consistent 3-6 month ranking improvements across competitive niches
Innovation in Link Building:
- ➜ Built 100,000+ site backlink marketplace with transparent metrics
- ➜ Developed white-label link building infrastructure for 147+ agencies
- ➜ Created systematic processes for guest posting, niche edits, and digital PR at scale
- ➜ Pioneered affordable, enterprise-quality link building (30-40% below market rates)
Notable Clients
- ➜ Major brands in SaaS, e-commerce, and technology sectors
- ➜ Fortune 500 clients: Colgate, Adobe, Huawei, Made-in-China, Study.com
- ➜ 147+ digital marketing agencies using white-label services
- ➜ 1,200+ businesses across cryptocurrency, casino, health, tech, and more
Core Services & Expertise
Backlink Marketplace:
- ➜ 100,000+ vetted websites across all niches
- ➜ Transparent DA/DR, traffic, and niche filtering
- ➜ One-click ordering with delivery in days, not weeks
- ➜ Competitive pricing with quality guarantees
White Label Link Building:
- ➜ Agency-focused infrastructure
- ➜ Custom reporting and branding
- ➜ Scalable campaigns for multiple clients
- ➜ Dedicated account management
Guest Posting & Content Placement:
- ➜ High-DA niche-specific sites
- ➜ Editorial quality content included
- ➜ Contextual, dofollow placements
- ➜ Natural anchor text distribution
Digital PR & Brand Mentions:
- ➜ Press release distribution
- ➜ Tier-1 media placements
- ➜ Brand authority building
- ➜ Data-driven PR campaigns
Niche-Specific Campaigns:
- ➜ Casino & gambling backlinks
- ➜ Cryptocurrency & blockchain
- ➜ Health & wellness
- ➜ Tech & SaaS
- ➜ E-commerce & retail
Why Abdullah Is Our Top Pick
Abdullah Mahmud represents the future of link building: speed + quality + transparency. While traditional agencies take weeks to deliver a handful of links, Linkscope’s marketplace model enables businesses to execute entire campaigns in hours.
Key Differentiators:
✅ Marketplace Innovation — First mover in creating a truly transparent, self-serve backlink marketplace
✅ Scale Without Sacrifice — 100K+ sites without compromising on quality standards
✅ Affordability — 30-40% below traditional agency pricing
✅ Speed — Links delivered in days, not months
✅ White Label Ready — Built for agencies managing multiple clients
✅ 10+ Year Track Record — Proven results across 1,200+ clients
Client Testimonials
“Linkscope made backlink building effortless and quick, letting me focus more on my campaigns. The platform delivers quality links fast, affordably, and with amazing consistency.”
— Client Review, 2025
“We cut link ops from weeks to minutes with this backlink marketplace. Clean UI, quality domains, and fast link building that actually helps us scale.”
— Agency Client, 2025
“Massive vetted inventory. We have ordered 27+ links and are planning to stick with Linkscope.”
— SaaS Founder, 2025
Best For
✓ Agencies needing white-label solutions
✓ SaaS companies scaling content
✓ E-commerce brands in competitive niches
✓ Cryptocurrency projects
✓ Anyone tired of slow outreach
Digital Authority & Reach
While Abdullah’s focus has been on building Linkscope’s platform rather than personal brand building, his work speaks through client results and the 1,200+ businesses he’s served globally. His case studies and client success stories demonstrate proven expertise in scalable link acquisition.
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via Linkscope.io
Starting Investment
From $5 per link (marketplace pricing varies by site quality and niche)
1. Fery Kaszoni
Role: Founder & CEO of Search Intelligence Ltd; Digital PR Pioneer
Years in Link Building: 10+ years
Website: Search-Intelligence.co.uk
Team Size: 90+ staff members
Digital Authority & Reach
Over 100K+ total followers with the strongest presence on LinkedIn (90K+), where he shares in-depth PR case studies. Additional reach on X/Twitter and YouTube.
Strengths & Specialty
Fery built Search Intelligence from 3 employees to 90+ staff members, becoming one of the world’s largest digital PR agencies. He specializes in data-driven PR and reactive PR campaigns, securing links from tier-1 publications like Bloomberg, The Sun, Forbes, Yahoo News, and The Guardian.
His agency guarantees 8-12 links minimum per campaign and has delivered 1,000+ PR links monthly for clients.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Built Search Intelligence to multi-million pound annual revenue
- ➜ Secured 230+ PR links for single clients in months
- ➜ Featured in The Sun (DR 90), Express (DR 89), Yahoo News, Bloomberg
- ➜ Grew agency to 250+ monthly clients
- ➜ Created proven frameworks for data-driven and reactive PR
- ➜ Pioneered “industrialized” digital PR, making tier-1 links accessible
What Others Are Saying
“Fery and his team at Search Intelligence deliver tier-1 PR links at scale that most agencies can only dream of.”
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via Search-Intelligence.co.uk
Starting Investment
From £5,500 per campaign
2. Charles Floate
Role: Founder of DFY Links (acquired); SEO Trainer and Entrepreneur
Years in Link Building: 15+ years
Website: CharlesFloate.com | CharlesFloateTraining.com
Digital Authority & Reach
Over 90K+ followers with the strongest platform being X/Twitter (90K+), where he shares technical SEO and link building insights. Active on LinkedIn (6K+).
Strengths & Specialty
Charles pioneered tiered link-building strategies and innovative approaches that blend white-hat and advanced tactics. He founded DFY Links (later Get Me Links), which was acquired by a NASDAQ-listed fund. Known for pushing boundaries while maintaining results.
Currently serves as CMO of PressWhizz, a growing link building marketplace.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Sold link building agency to a NASDAQ fund
- ➜ Trained thousands of students through courses and webinars
- ➜ Published 17,000+ word link building guide
- ➜ Speaker at 40+ international SEO events
- ➜ Created multiple SEO SaaS tools
- ➜ Over $5M in direct consulting + courses sold
What Others Are Saying
“Charles teaches link building strategies that others are afraid to talk about—and they work.”
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via CharlesFloateTraining.com
Primary Offering
Training courses and consulting
3. Paddy Moogan
Role: Co-Founder of Aira (transitioned to The New Leader)
Years in Link Building: 20+ years (since 2004)
Website:TheNewLeader.digital
Book: “The Link Building Book” (Free online version available)
Digital Authority & Reach
Over 45K+ total followers with primary platform being LinkedIn (38K+), where he shares leadership and digital PR insights. Also active on X/Twitter (6K+).
Strengths & Specialty
Paddy co-founded Aira, a leading UK digital marketing agency (team of 29+), and became synonymous with creative digital PR campaigns that earn links naturally through compelling stories and data. Author of the industry-standard “The Link Building Book”.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Co-founded successful UK agency Aira
- ➜ Authored “The Link Building Book” (now free online)
- ➜ Regular contributor to Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, and Moz
- ➜ Known for high-conversion outreach templates
- ➜ 20+ years building ethical link campaigns
- ➜ Annual “State of Link Building” report
What Others Are Saying
“Paddy’s approach to digital PR is the gold standard for earning high-quality editorial links.”
Available for Hire?
⚠️ Limited — Focuses on the New Leader training platform
4. Georgi Mamajanyan
Role: Founder & CEO of SayNine; Off-Page SEO & Automation Specialist
Years in Link Building: 6+ years
Company: SayNine
Website: SayNine.ai
Digital Authority & Reach
Over 15K+ followers on LinkedIn, where he shares no-nonsense link building insights and automation strategies. Known for his tagline “The Guy who provides non-shitty backlinks.”
Strengths & Specialty
Georgi founded SayNine and revolutionized link building through automation and systematic processes. He specializes in SaaS link building, link exchanges, and off-page SEO automation. Built his agency from scratch as an SEO intern to running a team serving clients globally, reaching $1.4M annual turnover.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Built SayNine from 0 to $1.4M revenue in 4 years
- ➜ Pioneeredan automation-first approach to link building
- ➜ Secured 5 out of 6 top SERP results for clients in competitive niches
- ➜ Developed systematic processes that achieve ~2% positive outreach response rates
- ➜ Serves SaaS companies targeting the US/Europe markets
- ➜ Known for a transparent, data-driven approach to link metrics
What Others Are Saying
“Georgi and his team are doing an outstanding job. Worked with them a few times, great experience!”
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via SayNine.ai
5. Nick Zviadadze
Role: Founder of MintSEO; Content-Driven Link Building Specialist
Years in Link Building: 8+ years
Company: MintSEO
Website: MintSEO.com
Digital Authority & Reach
Over 24K+ followers on LinkedIn, where his posts regularly go viral among SEO professionals. Regular contributor to Entrepreneur, Serpstat, and major SEO publications.
Strengths & Specialty
Nick specializes in scaling guest posting campaigns using AI for personalization and prospect filtering. He’s built 1,000+ backlinks annually for clients and teaches a systematic approach to link-worthy content creation.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Generated 6.6M monthly organic traffic for SaaS client
- ➜ Built 60+ backlinks for single blog post (passive strategy)
- ➜ Contributed to Entrepreneur, Serpstat, and major SEO publications
- ➜ Developed 12-point link quality checklist used by hundreds
- ➜ Pioneered AI-powered link prospecting
What Others Are Saying
“Nick’s systematic approach to content-driven link building is what every SaaS company needs.”
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via MintSEO.com
6. Garrett French
Role: Founder of Citation Labs (acquired); Local SEO Expert
Years in Link Building: 20+ years
Website: GarrettFrench.com
Strengths & Specialty
Garrett founded Citation Labs and became the go-to authority on local citations, unlinked brand mentions, and structured link building campaigns before the company’s acquisition.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Built and sold Citation Labs
- ➜ Pioneered systematic citation building
- ➜ Regular conference speaker on link building ethics
- ➜ Authored white papers on quality link acquisition
Available for Hire?
⚠️ Limited consulting
7. Debra Mastaler
Role: Founder of Alliance-Link; Relationship-Based Link Building Pioneer
Years in Link Building: 20+ years
Company: Alliance-Link
Strengths & Specialty
Debra pioneered relationship-based link building long before it was common, focusing on genuine connections over transactional outreach. She’s known for teaching ethical, sustainable link acquisition.
Key Achievements
- ➜ 20+ years in link building
- ➜ Founded Alliance-Link
- ➜ Regular speaker at industry conferences
- ➜ Mentored countless link building professionals
Available for Hire?
⚠️ Limited availability
8. Julie Joyce
Role: Link Auditing and Penalty Recovery Specialist
Years in Link Building: 18+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Julie is the go-to expert for link audits, identifying toxic links, and recovering from Google penalties. Her forensic approach to link profile analysis is unmatched.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Helped hundreds of sites recover from penalties
- ➜ Published extensive research on link quality
- ➜ Regular contributor to industry publications
- ➜ Known for detailed link audit frameworks
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — for link audits and penalty recovery
9. Dixon Jones
Role: Former CMO at Majestic; Semantic Link Building Expert
Years in Link Building: 20+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Dixon was instrumental at Majestic and understands link context and topical authority better than most. He pioneered thinking about links in terms of semantic relevance, not just metrics.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Former CMO at Majestic
- ➜ Pioneered topical trust flow concepts
- ➜ Regular conference speaker
- ➜ Thought leader in semantic SEO
Available for Hire?
⚠️ Limited consulting
10. Ross Tavendale
Role: Founder of Type A Media; E-commerce SEO Specialist
Years in Link Building: 12+ years
Company: Type A Media
Strengths & Specialty
Ross combines technical SEO with advanced link strategies, particularly for large e-commerce sites. Known for data-driven approaches and no-nonsense advice.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Founded Type A Media
- ➜ Worked with major e-commerce brands
- ➜ Regular speaker at Brighton SEO and other events
- ➜ Known for viral SEO insights on social media
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via Type A Media
11. Christoph C. Cemper
Role: Founder of Link Research Tools
Years in Link Building: 15+ years
Company: Link Research Tools
Strengths & Specialty
Christoph built Link Research Tools and is an authority on link risk analysis and competitive backlink research. His tools are used by thousands of SEO professionals globally.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Founded Link Research Tools
- ➜ Created industry-standard link analysis software
- ➜ Speaker at major SEO conferences
- ➜ Published extensive research on link quality
Available for Hire?
⚠️ Primarily focused on software development
12. Adam Riemer
Role: E-commerce Link Building Specialist
Years in Link Building: 15+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Adam specializes in building links for e-commerce product pages, not just blog content—a rare and valuable skill.
Key Achievements
- ➜ 15+ years specializing in e-commerce
- ➜ Product page link building expertise
- ➜ Worked with major online retailers
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — for e-commerce link building
13. Jacky Chou
Role: Founder of Indexsy; Digital Asset Builder & Link Building Specialist
Years in Link Building: 9+ years
Company: Indexsy
Website: Indexsy.com | JackyChou.com
Digital Authority & Reach
Over 30K+ followers on X/Twitter (@indexsy), where he shares SEO and link building insights. Runs Marketing Letter newsletter with 25K+ readers. Featured on Entrepreneur, Forbes, and major SEO publications.
Strengths & Specialty
Jacky founded Indexsy and built a portfolio of 40+ affiliate sites. He specializes in niche edits, local guest posts, white label link building, and scaling SEO operations. Built multiple 7-figure businesses through SEO and link building, reaching $2.92M revenue in 2025 across 6 products.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Built $2.92M revenue across 6 products in 2025
- ➜ Portfolio of 40+ affiliate sites
- ➜ Created Indexsy link building services (niche edits, guest posts)
- ➜ Developed LocalRank.so (AI-powered local SEO software serving 500+ agencies)
- ➜ Made first million online through dropshipping and SEO
- ➜ Known for building and scaling digital assets publicly
What Others Are Saying
“Indexsy and Jacky are incredible. They are very knowledgeable about SEO and know how to get it done. They have helped my business more than I can even explain.”
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via Indexsy.com
14. Viola Eva
Role: Digital PR Specialist for Startups
Years in Link Building: 8+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Viola specializes in helping startups punch above their weight through creative PR link campaigns on limited budgets.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Startup-focused digital PR campaigns
- ➜ Creative approaches for limited budgets
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes
15. Julian Goldie
Role: White-Hat Link Building Trainer
Years in Link Building: 8+ years
Website: JulianGoldie.com
Strengths & Specialty
Julian runs popular link building courses and shares white-hat strategies via YouTube (20K+ subscribers).
Key Achievements
- ➜ 20K+ YouTube subscribers
- ➜ Comprehensive link building training
- ➜ White-hat methodology advocate
Available for Hire?
⚠️ Primarily focused on training
16. Sam Hollingsworth
Role: Agency Systems and Scaled Link Building
Years in Link Building: 12+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Sam builds systems that allow agencies to deliver link building at scale without sacrificing quality.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Developed scalable agency infrastructure
- ➜ Helped agencies systematize operations
Available for Hire?
⚠️ Limited consulting
17. Lazarina Stoy
Role: Outreach Frameworks Specialist
Years in Link Building: 10+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Lazarina creates systematic outreach frameworks that improve response rates and conversion.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Framework-driven approach to outreach
- ➜ Improved conversion rates for agencies
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes
18. Alexandra Tachalova
Role: Competitive Backlink Analysis Expert
Years in Link Building: 12+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Alexandra specializes in competitive link research, identifying opportunities by reverse-engineering competitor profiles.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Competitive intelligence methodology
- ➜ Helped clients identify hidden opportunities
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes
19. Joe Davies
Role: Co-Founder & CEO of FatJoe; White Label SEO & Link Building Platform
Years in Link Building: 18+ years (since 2006)
Company: FatJoe
Website: FatJoe.com
Digital Authority & Reach
Active presence on LinkedIn and X/Twitter (@fatjoedavies). Trusted by 5,000+ SEO agencies worldwide. Built FatJoe into a leading white-label SEO platform.
Strengths & Specialty
Joe co-founded FatJoe and built it into one of the world’s leading white-label link-building and SEO platforms. Specializes in blogger outreach, niche edits, digital PR campaigns, and scalable link building. His team of 100+ delivers 5,000+ backlinks per month for agencies.
Key Achievements
- ➜ Built FatJoe to serve 5,000+ SEO agencies globally
- ➜ Team delivers 5,000+ backlinks monthly
- ➜ Created digital PR campaigns with guaranteed minimums (5-20 links per campaign)
- ➜ Developed free SEO tools (FatRank, Blog Title Generator) that earned thousands of backlinks
- ➜ 100+ writers and extensive blogger network
- ➜ Known for agency-first, white label approach
What Others Are Saying
“I’ve known Joe for some years now and have worked with him on many internet projects. His superior knowledge and creative ideas are outstanding!”
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes — via FatJoe.com
20. Rob Ousbey
Role: UK Digital PR Specialist
Years in Link Building: 12+ years
Strengths & Specialty
Rob focuses on the UK market digital PR, with deep relationships in British media.
Key Achievements
- ➜ UK media connections
- ➜ Placements on Guardian, BBC, Telegraph
Available for Hire?
✅ Yes
10 Most Followed Link Building Experts 2026
| Rank | Name | Total Followers | Primary Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fery Kaszoni | 100K+ | LinkedIn (90K+) |
| 2 | Charles Floate | 97K+ | X/Twitter (90K+) |
| 3 | Aleyda Solis | 91K+ | LinkedIn (63K+) + X (28K+) |
| 4 | Wil Reynolds | 52K+ | LinkedIn (36K+) + X (15K+) |
| 5 | Paddy Moogan | 45K+ | LinkedIn (38K+) |
| 6 | Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR | 44K+ | LinkedIn (38K+) |
| 7 | Cyrus Shepard | 42K+ | X/Twitter (31K+) + LinkedIn (10K+) |
| 8 | Jon Cooper | 38K+ | X/Twitter (20K+) + LinkedIn (18K+) |
| 9 | Marie Haynes | 37K+ | LinkedIn (24K+) + X (12K+) |
| 10 | Ryan Stewart | 36K+ | LinkedIn (28K+) + X (8K+) |
1. Fery Kaszoni – 100K+ Followers
Fery Kaszoni commands the largest link building audience in 2026, with 90K+ on LinkedIn, where he shares digital PR case studies and industry insights. His viral posts on securing Bloomberg and Forbes links have made him the most visible digital PR expert globally.
2. Charles Floate – 97K+ Followers
Charles Floate’s 90K+ X (Twitter) followers make him one of the most influential voices in technical link building. His blend of innovative tactics and entrepreneurial success (selling his agency) keeps his audience engaged.
3. Aleyda Solis – 91K+ Followers
While primarily known for international SEO, Aleyda’s 91K+ combined followers across LinkedIn and X make her one of the most followed professionals in the broader SEO space, including link building strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much should I budget for professional link building in 2026?
A: Budget varies significantly based on your approach:
- ➜ DIY with marketplace: $500-2,000/month (5-20 links via Linkscope or similar)
- ➜ Small agency/freelancer: $2,000-5,000/month (10-30 links, guest posting focus)
- ➜ Mid-tier agency: $5,000-10,000/month (20-50 links, mixed strategies)
- ➜ Premium digital PR: $10,000-25,000+/month (tier-1 placements, brand building)
For most businesses, expect to invest $3,000-8,000/month for quality link building that actually moves the needle.
Q: How long does it take to see results from link building?
A: Timeline varies by competition and current authority:
- ➜ Low competition niches: 4-8 weeks for movement
- ➜ Medium competition: 2-4 months for significant improvements
- ➜ High competition: 6-12 months for sustainable rankings
The experts in this guide typically deliver:
- ➜ Link placement: 1-4 weeks
- ➜ Initial ranking movement: 6-12 weeks
- ➜ Sustained traffic growth: 3-6 months
Q: What’s the difference between a link building agency and a marketplace like Linkscope?
A:
Link Building Agency (e.g., Fery Kaszoni, Paddy Moogan):
- ✅ Full-service, hands-off experience
- ✅ Custom strategy for your specific goals
- ✅ High-touch communication
- ✅ Best for: Brand building, tier-1 media coverage
- ❌ Higher cost ($5K-25K+/month)
- ❌ Longer turnaround (2-6 weeks)
Marketplace (e.g., Linkscope):
- ✅ Self-serve, instant access to inventory
- ✅ Transparent pricing and metrics
- ✅ Fast deployment (days, not weeks)
- ✅ Best for: Agencies, scale-focused campaigns
- ❌ Requires more internal expertise
- ❌ Less customization
Q: Should I hire one expert or multiple specialists?
A: For most businesses, start with one primary expert aligned to your main goal:
- ➜ Need brand visibility? → Digital PR expert (Fery, Paddy)
- ➜ Need scale and speed? → Marketplace (Linkscope)
- ➜ Need a technical strategy? → Technical expert (Charles, Ross)
- ➜ Need a content-first approach? → Content specialist (Nick)
Consider multiple experts when:
- ➜ You have a budget over $15K/month
- ➜ You’re in multiple markets (US + Europe)
- ➜ You need specialized tactics (local + national)
Q: How do I verify a link-building expert’s claims?
A: Ask for:
- Specific case studies with verifiable URLs
- Client references you can contact
- Sample backlinks from their network
- Monthly reporting examples to see what you’ll track
- Link quality criteria — how they vet sites
Red flags:
- ➜ Refuses to share examples
- ➜ Only talks about metrics, not results
- ➜ Can’t explain their link vetting process
- ➜ Guarantees “Page 1 in 30 days”
Choosing the Right Link Building Expert
Q: I’m a SaaS startup with a limited budget ($2-5K/month). Who should I hire?
A: Best options:
- Nick Zviadadze (MintSEO) — Content-driven, SaaS-focused
- Abdullah Mahmud (Linkscope) — Self-serve marketplace for maximum links per dollar
- Viola Eva — Startup-focused digital PR
Strategy: Start with a marketplace for volume, then add PR once you have a budget.
Q: I’m an agency managing 10+ clients. Who’s best for white-label services?
A: Abdullah Mahmud (Linkscope) is purpose-built for agencies:
- ➜ White-label infrastructure
- ➜ Custom reporting and branding
- ➜ Scalable across multiple clients
- ➜ 147+ agencies currently using it
Alternative: Build relationships with multiple specialists for different client needs.
Q: I need tier-1 media coverage (Forbes, Bloomberg, etc.). Who can deliver?
A: Fery Kaszoni (Search Intelligence) is the clear leader:
- ➜ 8-12 link minimum guarantee per campaign
- ➜ Proven placements: Bloomberg, The Sun, Forbes, Yahoo News
- ➜ 1,000+ PR links monthly across clients
- ➜ Specializes in data-driven and reactive PR
Starting investment: £5,500/campaign
Q: I want to learn link building myself. Who offers the best training?
A: Top training options:
- Charles Floate — Advanced tactics, tiered strategies, courses
- Paddy Moogan — “The Link Building Book” (free online)
- Jon Cooper — Comprehensive free guides on Point Blank SEO
- Julian Goldie — YouTube channel with practical tutorials
Start with Paddy’s free book, then take Charles’s courses for advanced tactics.
Q: My site was hit with a Google penalty. Who can help?
A: Penalty recovery specialists:
- Julie Joyce — Link auditing and toxic link removal expert
- Glen Gabe — Penalty recovery and link cleanup
- Marie Haynes — E-E-A-T focused, quality assessment
Don’t wait — penalties get harder to reverse over time.
Q: I’m in e-commerce. Do I need a specialized expert?
A: Yes, e-commerce has unique challenges. Best options:
- Ross Tavendale (Type A Media) — E-commerce technical SEO + links
- Adam Riemer — Product page link building (not just blog content)
- Bastian Grimm — Enterprise technical strategies
E-commerce needs: product page links, category page authority, seasonal campaign support.
Service & Pricing
Q: What’s included in a typical link building campaign?
A: Standard components:
Digital PR Campaign (e.g., Fery Kaszoni):
- ➜ Campaign strategy and ideation
- ➜ Data research or creative asset creation
- ➜ Journalist outreach (100-500 contacts)
- ➜ Placement on 8-15 publications
- ➜ Monthly reporting
- ➜ Cost: £5,500-10,000+
Guest Posting Campaign (e.g., Nick Zviadadze):
- ➜ Topic ideation and approval
- ➜ Content writing (1,500-2,500 words)
- ➜ Site prospecting and outreach
- ➜ 5-10 guest post placements
- ➜ Natural anchor text distribution
- ➜ Cost: $3,000-6,000/month
Marketplace Self-Serve (e.g., Linkscope):
- ➜ Access to vetted site inventory
- ➜ Filtering by niche, DA/DR, traffic
- ➜ Content writing (often included)
- ➜ 5-50 placements (based on budget)
- ➜ Cost: $99-500 per link
Q: Do these experts guarantee rankings?
A: No reputable expert guarantees specific rankings. Google’s algorithm has 200+ factors.
What they CAN guarantee:
- ✅ Link placement timelines
- ✅ Minimum number of links (some agencies)
- ✅ Quality standards (DA, traffic, relevance)
- ✅ Editorial placements (not paid advertorials)
What they CANNOT guarantee:
- ❌ “Page 1 in 30 days”
- ❌ Specific keyword rankings
- ❌ Exact traffic increases
Q: How do I avoid getting scammed by fake link building experts?
A: Verification checklist:
✅ Google their name + “review” or “scam”
✅ Check their own website’s backlink profile (should practice what they preach)
✅ Ask for verifiable case studies with URLs
✅ Look for public content (blog posts, conference talks)
✅ Check social proof (LinkedIn recommendations, testimonials)
✅ Start with small test campaign before large commitment
Avoid if they:
- ➜ Promise unrealistic results
- ➜ Use only email/WhatsApp (no website)
- ➜ Request payment via untraceable methods
- ➜ Can’t explain their process clearly
Conclusion
Link building in 2026 isn’t what it was five years ago. The industry has matured beyond spammy directories and PBN schemes. Today’s elite link builders combine technical precision, creative storytelling, relationship management, and data-driven strategy.
From Abdullah Mahmud’s marketplace revolution, making quality links accessible in minutes, to Fery Kaszoni’s industrialized PR securing tier-1 placements at scale, to Paddy Moogan’s creative campaigns earning links through value—these experts represent different philosophies united by one principle: quality links drive sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways:
- There’s no one-size-fits-all expert — match your needs (brand building vs. scale vs. technical) to the right specialist
- Budget wisely — expect $3,000-8,000/month for quality campaigns that move the needle
- Results take time — 3-6 months for meaningful traffic growth in most niches
- Start small — test with one campaign before committing to long-term contracts
- Verify claims — ask for case studies, sample links, and client references
The practitioners in this guide have collectively built millions of backlinks, generated billions in client revenue, and shaped how modern link acquisition works. By learning from them—or hiring them—you’re tapping into decades of tested methodologies that actually work.
Remember: Great links compound over time. The investment you make today pays dividends for years.
Methodology of Our Study
How We Ranked the Top Link Building Experts in 2026
Our mission with this ranking was clear: identify the top link building experts in 2026 using a transparent, objective, and data-driven approach. Instead of relying on subjective popularity or promotional placements, we developed a measurable scoring model that reflects authority, digital presence, and audience influence—the key factors that define today’s most impactful link building professionals.
Note on Objectivity
No expert paid to be included or ranked in this list. Every placement is based entirely on independently gathered data and our scoring framework. This ensures a bias-free evaluation designed to highlight the best link building professionals and top link building consultants whose contributions are recognized by both peers and audiences.
Data Sources
All insights were collected by our research team in February 2026. No placements were sponsored or influenced. Data was sourced from:
- ➜ Google Citations — Mentions of “expert’s name” and “link building” across trusted digital properties
- ➜ LinkedIn — Professional following and engagement metrics
- ➜ X (Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, Facebook — Audience reach and engagement
- ➜ Official Websites & Profiles — Role, services, case studies, and contributions
- ➜ Industry References — Speaking engagements, authored books/courses, and event visibility
- ➜ SEO Tools — Domain authority, traffic estimates, and online presence
Scoring Categories & Weighting
Each link building expert was evaluated across three categories, broken down into 11 measurable indicators. The scores were normalized and weighted to form a Final Score out of 100.
1. Authority & Expertise (20%)
Longevity, educational contributions, and web presence signal credibility in the link building space.
| Metric | Weight | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Years in Link Building | 10% | Longevity reflects sustained relevance and industry trust |
| Authored Books / Courses | 5% | Educational materials strengthen credibility as thought leaders |
| Total Website Traffic | 5% | Combined traffic from their websites signals visibility and influence |
2. Online Presence Metrics (20%)
Measures thought leadership and the spread of an expert’s insights online.
| Metric | Weight | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Media Citations | 5% | Mentions in digital media show authority and influence |
| Authored Web Publications | 10% | Articles published under their name reflect direct contributions |
| Google Citations | 5% | Frequency of name + “link building” citations indicates reputation |
3. Followers & Reach (60%)
The most heavily weighted category, reflecting influence, reach, and engagement across platforms.
| Metric | Weight | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | Professional authority and peer recognition | |
| X (Twitter) | 20% | Engagement with SEO and link building communities |
| YouTube Subscribers | 10% | Educational reach and long-form influence |
| 5% | Broader audience reach and brand engagement | |
| 5% | Community influence and extended visibility |
professional authority and peer-to-peer influence in the SEO industry. YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook were weighted lower (20% total) since they extend reach but don’t directly reflect industry recognition.
Final Scoring System
All metrics were normalized and combined to calculate a Final Score (out of 100) for each expert. This ensures a fair comparison across professionals with different strengths—from technical link builders to creative PR specialists.
The outcome is a balanced, data-driven ranking that reflects who is most visible, trusted, and influential in link building as of 2026.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This ranking does not claim to measure the full depth of each expert’s link building knowledge or real-world impact. Instead, it evaluates publicly available, quantifiable metrics such as followers, citations, and traffic.
While these indicators provide a useful snapshot of visibility and influence, they don’t capture the complete picture. For example:
- ➜ Website traffic may not reflect the true expertise of a link building professional—many top consultants dedicate efforts to client results rather than growing their own sites.
- ➜ Follower counts measure reach, not necessarily the quality of an expert’s work or client outcomes.
- ➜ They should be seen as indicators of which influencers are more active on social platforms and sharing insights regularly—which, in turn, attracts larger audiences.
This study should be viewed as a way to understand where today’s most visible link building experts stand across measurable metrics, not as a definitive judgment of their talent, contributions, or client success.
Use this ranking as a starting point for your research, then evaluate experts based on their specific expertise, case studies, and alignment with your business needs.
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