AI could also be killing search clicks, however we’re nonetheless studying content material—particularly the great stuff.
At Ahrefs, we learn and share articles on a regular basis for advertising and search engine optimization inspiration.
In truth, SQ places a call-out for the perfect search engine optimization blogs each week, to curate the Ahrefs’ Digest.
Beneath you’ll discover our favorites–the blogs which have made it into our Chrome bookmarks, LinkedIn Saved folders, and Slack conversations–some so good we’ve slid into the authors’ DMs simply to inform them so.
The listing received’t comprise your typical suspects. Consider it as a listing of the perfect new search engine optimization blogs; the underdogs and the specialists that deserve far more recognition!
Right here they’re, in no explicit order…
The weblog: Metehan.ai
Run by: Metehan Yeşilyurt, Co-Founding father of AEO Imaginative and prescient
Finest for: Chopping-edge, hands-on AI assistant analysis
Our favourite article this yr: I Discovered It within the Code, Science Proved It within the Lab: The Recency Bias That’s Reshaping AI Search
Metehan has change into a family identify in search engine optimization virtually in a single day due to his ChatGPT detective work.
He’s most well-known for mining ChatGPT’s supply code to decipher precise configuration parameters, and assist SEOs reverse-engineer AI visibility.
I like how clear Metehan is about his analysis course of—it may virtually be a “Decode ChatGPT with me” follow-along.
Even higher, he spells issues out clearly in order that they’re fast to learn, and simple to grasp.
Thus far, he has already found that AI assistants:
- Run content material via three layers of re-ranking—submit search engine retrieval
- Lean closely on a shortlist of already-trusted domains
- Persistently floor new or lately up to date posts over older ones
The weblog: Analytics Playbook
Run by: Dana DiTomaso, founding father of Analytics Playbook and President of Kick Level Inc.
Finest for: Professional analytics recommendation backed by first-hand expertise, and growing analytics information
Our favourite article this yr: When a New Browser Launches: What I’m Seeing in Google Analytics for ChatGPT’s Atlas
Dana is at all times fast to roll up her sleeves and take a look at the use instances her purchasers care about—from analyzing AI site visitors habits, to figuring out referral site visitors from ChatGPT’s new Atlas browser in GA4.
Each article comprises tons of actual shopper anecdotes and examples—good proof that Dana and the Analytics Playbook crew have skin-in-the-game.
I like which you could additionally watch the weblog for those who’re a visible learner…
Learn it for detailed recommendation, easter egg ideas, and really particular analytics intel.
The weblog: Detailed
Run by: Glen Allsopp, founding father of Detailed, the Detailed search engine optimization Extension, the search engine optimization Blueprint, and now Head of Advertising and marketing Technique & Analysis at Ahrefs
Finest for: search engine optimization insights from monitoring the rankings & income of three,078 Digital Goliaths
Our favourite article this yr: Detailed This autumn: Analysing The search engine optimization Playbook of Digital Goliaths In-Depth, Each Quarter
Glen is finest identified for his forensic evaluation of “Digital Goliaths”—how they function, what they’re doing in search engine optimization, and what smaller gamers can study from them.
Chances are you’ll know him from his superior examine on how simply 16 firms are behind 500+ web sites that dominate Google’s search outcomes. That one went severely viral!
What’s nice about Glen is his consideration to element (no pun meant)—he publishes perhaps 10-25 posts per yr max, spending weeks on every one fairly than churning out weekly content material.
And the content material is meaty. Count on 10,000+ phrase reviews with knowledge evaluation, screenshots, and particular tactical insights you received’t discover elsewhere.
Glen can be a fantastic reporter, dedicated to looking for new info.
As an illustration, he attends reside earnings calls of main firms and transcribes them, giving readers intel on what the highest movers and shakers are prioritizing in terms of search engine optimization.
Thus far this yr, Detailed has taught us that:
- Unbiased web site homeowners land simply ~14% of first-place search rankings
- Digital Goliaths nonetheless personal ~80% of high search outcomes throughout large-industries
- But, solely 18% of major-brand websites grew YoY in April 2025
Backside line: If you wish to perceive how the large gamers dominate search and what techniques you may steal in your personal web site, it’s important studying.
In truth, we had been so satisfied that Detailed was the perfect search engine optimization weblog on the market, we acquired it!
Now Glen is a fully-fledged member of the Ahrefs crew and we couldn’t be happier about it!
Progress Memo is Kevin Indig’s weekly search engine optimization publication that he additionally publishes as a weblog.
If you happen to’re after rigorous, unique analysis into question fan-outs, AI Mode usability, and LLM site visitors, that is the one for you.
As you may see, we love Progress Memo at Ahrefs HQ…
In truth, Kevin’s findings usually encourage us to create new analysis of our personal.
As an illustration, his superior examine “What content material works properly in LLMs?” made me wish to look into the correlations between common search elements and model visibility in AI Overviews.
In 2025, Progress Memo has taught us that:
The weblog: Not a Robotic
Run by: Jamie Indigo, Head of search engine optimization at Cox Automotive, Senior Technical search engine optimization at Lumar, Writer of Site visitors Assume Tank search engine optimization publication: Wealthy Snippets, Technical search engine optimization Marketing consultant and Founding father of Not a Robotic
Finest for: Satirical, bite-sized blogs on AI and net transparency
Our favourite article this yr: Atlas Shrugged, the online flinched
Impressed by Tim Berners-Lee’s precept that “the online solely works if it really works for everybody,” Jamie Indigo makes use of her weblog to champion net transparency in the course of the “AI gold rush”.
It’s a enjoyable, snarky, bite-sized learn, the place Indigo demystifies search algorithms, immediate leaks, and AI software program releases—breaking down what they really imply for customers and SEOs.
If you happen to care about AI transparency and net ethics, give the “Not a Robotic” weblog a bookmark.
The archive is modest proper now, and a few of the weblog dates are a bit skewiff, however it seems like Jamie’s again to posting often!
The weblog: Lars Lofgren’s weblog
Run by: Lars Lofgren, Fractional VP of Content material
Finest for: Investigations and exposés into tech business misfires—informed via Lars’ signature dry, no-BS fashion.
Our favourite article this yr: The Story of Codesmith: How a Competitor Crippled a $23.5M Bootcamp By Turning into a Reddit Moderator
Lars Lofgren is up there with a few of the finest investigative SEOs we have.
He doesn’t submit excessively, however when he does, the tales are likely to make an enormous splash within the business (Forbes’ parasite search engine optimization market anybody?)
It’s clear to see the hours of sleuthing that goes into each article—every one feels prefer it may very well be its personal Netflix documentary.
The newest–the story of Codesmith–warns of the very actual downside of competitor smear campaigns; made all of the stronger by AI.
It’s insatiably readable. Bookmark Lars’ weblog, and seize your popcorn!
The weblog: I Love search engine optimization
Run by: Gianluca Fiorelli, Strategic and Worldwide search engine optimization Marketing consultant at I Love search engine optimization
Finest for: Clear, strategic breakdowns of search engine optimization and AI search.
Our favourite article this yr: A information to Semantics or easy methods to be seen each in Search and LLMs
I Love search engine optimization is the weblog of seasoned worldwide search engine optimization advisor, Gianluca Fiorelli.
It’s the most effective search engine optimization blogs for considerate commentary on how search is evolving—particularly round AI, LLMs, entities, semantic search, and worldwide technique.
From studying, you’ll study that:
- Manufacturers have to construct out their entity graphs–together with who they’re, what they do, merchandise, folks, and subjects–since AI assistants rely closely on entity relationships vs. key phrase matching
- The “traditional funnel” (question → click on → web site → convert) has been changed by one thing like: Question → AI Overview → Synthesised Reply → (Perhaps) Model Point out → (Perhaps) Branded Search
- It’s essential to make your content material fragmentable and remixable if you need it to point out up in AI programs
We’re massive followers right here!
The weblog: Seer Interactive weblog
Run by: The Seer Interactive crew, together with Wil Reynolds and Christina Blake
Finest for: AI search assessments, research, and receipts for really “doing the factor”
Our favourite article this yr: AI Optimization Take a look at: Footers are again like 2003
Wil Reynolds, Christina Blake, Alisa Scharf, and the remainder of the Seer Interactive crew have constructed a severely enviable library of search how-tos, scrappy test-and-learn research, and whip-smart AI analysis.
Wil? He’s casually constructed an AI agent that telephones up and interviews material specialists, to hurry up the creation of E-E-A-T wealthy, AI-assisted content material. Christina has examined a bunch of attention-grabbing issues, together with the overlap between Bing search outcomes and ChatGPT citations. Alisa has created the “SWIM” framework—one thing you may really do whereas everybody else is screaming into the void about AI.
And that is solely the tip of the iceberg. For sure, we’re followers right here at Ahrefs…
The weblog: Marketer Milk weblog
Run by: Omid G, Founder at Marketer Milk
Finest for: Trustworthy software critiques, inspiring advertising examples, and sharp search engine optimization takes.
Our favourite article this yr: 8 high search engine optimization tendencies I’m seeing in 2026
Marketer Milk is the weekly advertising weblog and publication of Omid Ghiam—a marketer, author and no-code fanatic who beforehand led search engine optimization and content material at Webflow.
I had the pleasure of assembly Omid at Ahrefs Evolve, and he let me in on a stable tip (which I’ve since spied on Marketer Milk): if you wish to enhance your possibilities of rating, and subsequently being cited in LLMs, create and embed a video model of your weblog (identical to Dana DiTomaso does within the Analytics Playbook).
It’s nice for UX, constructing E-E-A-T, and helps you lay declare to extra SERP actual property.
Which may be the rationale why Marketer Milk is rating #1–#3 in each different advertising and search engine optimization SERP I come throughout proper now!
That, and the truth that the weblog is obvious, sharp and stuffed with tangible takeaways. I particularly loved Omid’s high 2026 search engine optimization tendencies, which was, partly, impressed by Ahrefs Evolve!
Omid might be finest identified for his candid critiques of SaaS merchandise. What I actually respect is that he doesn’t settle for sponsorships, and writes critiques solely to serve the reader—a uncommon breed these days.
Bookmark this weblog for genuine software suggestions and insider search engine optimization information from somebody with on-the-ground expertise.
The weblog: Content material Caffeine
Run by: Nicole DeLeon, Founder at North Star Inbound
Finest for: SERP adjustments, PR insights, and curated information
Our favourite article this yr: Do-it-yourself search engine optimization, not all clicks are equal, and can title hyperlinks return?
If you happen to’ve acquired thus far within the weblog, you’ve most likely seen a theme growing.
Most of the SEOs on this listing don’t simply speak the speak—they really do the factor.
That’s why I like Content material Caffeine. Nicole DeLeon usually shares snippets of SERP assessments she’s tried out and backs up all of her unique opinions with precise receipts—see the *Seen within the wild* part beneath.
In her newest weblog, Nicole put ahead the concept that long-tail, nuanced subjects are much less prone to expertise CTR decline.
She illustrated this with an instance of her personal tremendous long-tail question within the SERP, that was met with a 7K+ article—not an AI Overview.
I feel this makes complete sense, and aligns with a concept I had after I first got down to examine AI proof key phrases.
Have a learn of Content material Caffeine for these sorts of twice-monthly search engine optimization and PR insights—plus high curated information.
The weblog: Nectiv weblog
Run by: Chris Lengthy, co-founder at Nectiv
Finest for: Replicable search engine optimization tutorials and the most recent AI assessments and research
Our favourite article this yr: New Information Examine: What Queries Is ChatGPT Utilizing Behind The Scenes?
Chris Lengthy has change into one of many SEOs I at all times look out for on LinkedIn.
His no-fluff summaries of cool AI search research means he crops up often in my “Saved” folder.
In addition to curating superior content material, he additionally places the reps in in terms of doing the analysis.
Most lately, he’s revealed some nice findings on fan-out queries.
As an illustration, after finding out 8,500+ prompts, he discovered that ChatGPT performs a search 1 in 3 instances to floor its coaching knowledge.
And that 77% of all fan-out queries are 5 phrases or longer…
That is all essential to know for those who’re seeking to reverse-engineer a solution to present up in AI solutions.
Chris additionally shares vlogs of himself testing out new instruments and strolling via sensible use instances.
As an illustration, he lately used Ahrefs knowledge and Claude to construct out a topical map of semantically associated key phrase clusters.
It’s properly value keeping track of his weblog for updates.
The weblog: Nikki Pilkington’s weblog
Run by: Nikki Pilkington, search engine optimization Marketing consultant and search engine optimization Content material Specialist
Finest for: Blunt but sensible search recommendation
Our favourite article this yr: AI search engine optimization “hacks” that can f**ok up your conventional search engine optimization
Nikki Pilkington wins the award for the perfect designed search engine optimization weblog—it’s punk meets search engine optimization and I’m right here for it!
Self-described as “non-w**ky search engine optimization”, and backed by an equally brilliantly named podcast sequence “search engine optimization F**KING WHAT?”, Nikki’s weblog is a humorous account of an search engine optimization who’s seen it all.
If you’d like dry, withering takes on the BS of the search engine optimization group, backed up with stable recommendation and unfolding search information, that is the weblog for you.
The weblog: Jono Alderson’s weblog
Run by: Jono Alderson Co-Founding father of Days of the 12 months and search engine optimization Marketing consultant
Finest for: Thought-provoking opinion items on the state of selling and search engine optimization
Our favourite article this yr: If you’d like your weblog to promote, cease promoting
There’s one thing about Jono’s writing that simply hits. He expertly places a sense or frustration you didn’t even realise you had into phrases.
A recurring theme in his weblog is his refusal to just accept the traditional enterprise excuse: “we’ve at all times carried out it that manner.”
His posts will make you step again and rethink your method to writing, advertising, and search engine optimization.
They usually’re so readable.
Each line lands cleanly, the language is participating, and the pacing makes you wish to learn on and on.
In truth, I felt so impressed by Jono’s blogs, I needed to attain out and let him know.
Jono’s content material is much cry from the formulaic search engine optimization blogs you generally see clogging up the SERPs. Positively one to bookmark!
Wrapping up
If this listing proves something, it’s that the perfect search engine optimization blogs are those backed by actual curiosity and expertise.
These are the underdogs, the experimenters, the folks pushing search ahead whereas everybody else debates the distinction between search engine optimization and GEO
Learn their blogs, observe them on LinkedIn, and arrange RSS feeds to get notified every time their new content material drops.
