Are you ready to take your SEO game to the next level? Want to stay ahead of the curve and learn about the latest trends, strategies and tools in the industry? If so, attending SEO conferences should be at the top of your to-do list in 2023.
But with so many conferences, how do you know which ones are worth attending? Fear not! We’ve rounded up the top SEO conferences of 2023. Whether you’re a seasoned SEO pro or just starting, these conferences will provide you with the knowledge, skills and connections you need to take your SEO game to the next level.
But first, let’s take a step back and discuss why attending SEO conferences is so important. As you may already know, SEO is the process of optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). But as the digital landscape constantly evolves, staying updated with the latest trends and strategies is crucial to remain competitive.
Benefits of Attending SEO Conferences
That’s where SEO conferences come in. These events bring together industry experts, marketing leaders and business innovators to share their knowledge, insights and best practices. Attending SEO conferences can provide numerous benefits, including:
- Networking opportunities with industry experts and peers
- Cutting-edge SEO insights and strategies from top speakers
- Exposure to new tools, technologies and trends
- Opportunities for hands-on learning with workshops and case studies
- Inspiration and motivation to drive your SEO efforts to new heights
How to Leverage SEO Conferences for Your Business
But attending a conference is more than just sitting in on sessions and taking notes. To make the most of the experience, you must have a plan. Here are some tips to help you leverage SEO conferences for your business:
- Set clear goals and expectations – Determine what you hope to learn, who you want to meet and what you want to achieve to help you stay focused and make the most of your time at the conference.
- Create a plan to maximize your time and resources – Plan your conference schedule in advance and prioritize the sessions and events that align with your goals. Be sure to allocate time for networking activities and exploring the expo hall.
- Engage in networking activities to build meaningful connections – Besides attending social and networking events at the conference, consider joining social media groups or chat rooms related to the conference to connect with other attendees beforehand.
- Take thorough notes – Identify actionable insights you can implement in your SEO strategy. Follow up on any questions or topics you want to research more after the conference.
- Follow up with new contacts and continue the conversation – New connections can turn into long-term relationships and new business opportunities, so be sure to send a quick message afterward to thank them for meeting with you and offer to connect further.
Top SEO Conferences to Attend in 2023
There are many SEO conferences to choose from, but here are some of the top ones to consider attending in 2023:
MozCon
MozCon is a three-day SEO conference hosted by Moz, a leading SEO software company. This conference attracts top industry experts, marketing leaders and business innovators who share their knowledge and insights on the latest SEO trends and strategies. Known for its high-quality content, MozCon is considered one of the must-attend events in the SEO community. Past MozCon events have featured notable speakers such as Rand Fishkin, Wil Reynolds and Britney Muller.
What to Expect from MozCon 2023
- Dates: August 7 & 8, 2023
- Where: Seattle, WA
- Speakers: Among the speakers at MozCon 2023 will be Cheryl Draper (Senior Growth Marketing Manager at Moz), Crystal Carter (Head of SEO Comms at Wix), Jackie Chu (SEO Lead, Intelligence at Uber), Tom Anthony (CTO at SearchPilot) and Daniel Waisberg (Search Advocate at Google)
- Topics We Expect to See: Leveraging ChatGPT in SEO, E-E-A-T standards and Google algorithm updates
SMX (Search Marketing Expo)
SMX, short for Search Marketing Expo, is a series of global SEO and search marketing conferences. Focused on all aspects of search marketing, SMX events feature sessions on topics such as SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media and more. Attendees can expect to learn about the latest trends and strategies in the industry and gain valuable insights into emerging technologies and tools.
This year’s events, SMX Advanced and SMX Next, are both digital, making them excellent opportunities to connect with peers and industry experts from different regions, expand your professional network and gain new perspectives on the industry. As a bonus, registration is free!
What to Expect from SMX Advanced 2023
- Dates: June 13 & 14, 2023
- Where: Online
- Speakers: Pitches are still open to be a speaker at SMX Advanced through April 25, 2023.
- Topics We Expect to See: Generative AI, user experience, technical SEO, migration to Google Analytics 4
What to Expect from SMX Next 2023
- Dates: November 15 & 15, 2023
- Where: Online
- Speakers: Pitches are still open to be a speaker at SMX Next through September 18, 2023.
- Topics We Expect to See: Algorithm updates, SERP feature changes, automation, the death of third-party cookies, the impact of Google Analytics 4
Digital Summit
Digital Summit is a series of two-day digital marketing conferences held in various locations around the United States. The conference features top industry experts and covers SEO, social media, content marketing and more. Attendees can expect to learn about the latest digital marketing trends and strategies and participate in hands-on workshops and networking events.
Speakers at various Digital Summit events in 2023 include leaders from Microsoft, Pandora, Duke Energy and HarperCollins. Upcoming Digital Summit events in 2023 include:
- Digital Summit Atlanta – June 15-16, 2023
- Digital Summit Denver – June 27-28, 2023
- Digital Summit Minneapolis – August 16-17, 2023
- Digital Summit Detroit – September 19-20, 2023
- Digital Summit Chicago – October 4-5, 2023
- Digital Summit Philadelphia – October 16-17, 2023
- Digital Summit Raleigh – November 13-14, 2023
- Digital Summit Dallas – December 12-13, 2023
MnSearch Summit 2023
MnSearch Summit is a two-day digital marketing conference in Minnesota that features workshops, keynotes and SEO, PPC and content marketing sessions. The conference has featured notable speakers such as Tim Soulo, Purna Virji and Aleyda Solis.
What to Expect from MnSearch Summit 2023
- Dates: June 15 & 16, 2023
- Where: St. Paul, MN
- Speakers: Among the speakers at MnSearch 2023 will be Elizabeth Marsten (Vice President, Commerce Media Strategic Services at Tinuiti), Mike King (Founder & CEO at iPullRank), Susan Wenograd (Growth & Demand Generation Consultant at SmartSpark LLC) and Bambi Frazier (Senior Manager, Local SEO & Content at Amsive Digital)
- Topics We Expect to See: A variety of sessions on SEO, PPC, Cross-Channel and DEIB
Growth Marketing Summit 2023
Are you based in Europe? Check out Growth Marketing Summit 2023, which takes place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Organized by konversionsKRAFT, the Growth Marketing Summit features an impressive lineup of speakers that will share their knowledge and best practices on how to drive growth and maximize your marketing efforts. This conference is a must-attend event for anyone looking to learn the latest trends and strategies in SEO and growth marketing.
What to Expect from Growth Marketing Summit 2023
- Dates: June 22, 2023
- Where: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Speakers: Among the speakers at Growth Marketing Summit 2023 will be Steven van Belleghem (Bestselling Author), Simone Neeling (CRO Specialist & Web Analyst at Ziggo), Morgan Brown (Sr. Director or Product at Instagram) and Colin McFarland (Experimentation Platform & Core Data Science at Netflix), with more to be announced.
- Topics We Expect to See: Experimentation, customer growth, stakeholder management and data-driven copywriting
Engage Conference 2023
The Engage Conference is an annual one-day event aimed at in-house SEOs, digital marketing agencies, business owners and nonprofits. The conference offers 25 Professional Development Units for online search marketing professionals, making it a great way to advance your career and stay up-to-date with the latest trends. And with tickets costing about one-third of what you’d pay for other top conferences, the Engage Conference is perfect for limited budgets and small businesses.
What to Expect from Engage Conference 2023
- Dates: October 12, 2023
- Where: Portland, Oregon
- Speakers: Among the speakers at Engage Conference 2023 will be Dave Rohrer (In-House SEO, Consultant & Public Speaker at The Business of Digital), Lily Ray (Senior Director, SEO & Head of Organic Research at Amsive Digital), Dave Roth (CEO of Emergent Digital), Ruth Burr Reedy (Vice President of Strategy at UpBuild) and many more to be announced.
- Topics We Expect to See: SEO, paid media, content marketing, social media, UX/design and more.
State of Search Digital Marketing Conference 2023
The State of Search Digital Marketing Conference bills itself as “the premier search marketing conference in the south,” offering two days of expert speakers to help you improve your online performance. This year marks the 12th year of the conference, which will be held in person and live-streamed. When you purchase a ticket to this year’s State of Search, you will get access to all the speakers’ recorded sessions for a year.
What to Expect from State of Search Digital Marketing Conference 2023
- Dates: November 13-14, 2023
- Where: Grapevine, Texas
- Speakers: TBA – Past speakers include Wil Reynolds, Greg Gifford, Duane Forrester, Eric Enge, Barry Schwartz and many more.
- Topics We Expect to See: SEO, PPC, social media marketing, analytics, enterprise and eCommerce, agency growth and more.
DMO Advanced 2023
DMO Advanced is a conference that caters to digital marketers who want to learn from industry experts and engage with their peers. It blends interactive and educational sessions with an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Your ticket covers the cost of entrance, breakfast and lunch for both event days and a 4-course dinner at a local winery on night one.
What to Expect from DMO Advanced 2023
- Dates: October 24-26, 2023
- Where: Napa Valley, California
- Speakers: Among the speakers at DMO Advanced 2023 will be industry leaders such as Lily Ray (Sr. Director, SEO & Organic at Amsive Digital), Patrick Stox (Technical SEO & Brand Ambassador at Ahrefs), Atiba De Souza (CEO at Client Attraction Pros), Casey Markee (Founder at Media Wyse), Bernard Huang (Co-founder at Clearscope) and more.
- Topics We Expect to See: SEO, lead generation, digital marketing strategy, PPC, social media marketing, content marketing, analytics and more.
Attending SEO conferences is an invaluable opportunity for digital marketers, SEO professionals and business owners to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization. Whether you’re looking to network with industry experts, learn about the latest trends and strategies or explore cutting-edge tools and technologies, these conferences offer a wealth of knowledge and insights to help you elevate your SEO game.
As the digital landscape continues to change, it’s essential to invest in continuous learning and professional development. We hope that this list has inspired you to mark your calendar and make plans to attend one or more of these top SEO conferences in 2023!
