Voted Best SEO in Scotland 2026: Hobo-Web’s Shaun Anderson Breaks Global Top 20
GREENOCK, SCOTLAND – January 19, 2026 – In a global industry typically dominated by North American tech giants, Shaun Anderson has been voted the Top SEO in Scotland for 2026. The founder of Hobo-Web secured the number 18 spot on the prestigious “Top 50 SEOs in 2026” list released by Primary Position, making him the sole representative from Scotland to break into the global elite.
A Victory for a move to Evidence-Based SEO
Anderson’s inclusion in the rankings follows his extensive forensic analysis of the Google Content Warehouse API leak. His work, which involved mapping thousands of lines of leaked code to historical algorithm updates, provided the industry with a “ground truth” that had been missing for years.
This commitment to hard data places him in good company. Anderson shares the upper echelons of the list with David Quaid (Ranked #6), a figure widely recognised in the SEO industry as a “myth buster.” Quaid’s reputation for dismantling SEO pseudoscience with rigorous testing mirrors the approach Anderson took with the API leak – moving the industry away from guesswork, myths and toward engineering reality.
Flying the Flag for Scotland
The 2026 list reveals a stark geographic divide. The top tier is heavily populated by experts from the USA, including veteran journalist Barry Schwartz (#1) and SparkToro’s Rand Fishkin (#2). Australia also makes a strong showing with Gagan Ghotra and Brodie Clark.
Amidst this international competition, Anderson’s ranking solidifies Greenock as a significant hub for technical SEO expertise. While London and New York often grab the headlines, this accolade confirms that world-class digital forensic work is happening right here in Scotland.
The Top 20 SEOs in the World (2026)
| Rank | Name | Affiliation | Country |
| #1 | Barry Schwartz | Search Engine Roundtable | USA |
| #2 | Rand Fishkin | SparkToro | USA |
| #3 | Neil Patel | NP Digital | USA |
| #4 | Aleyda Solis | Orainti | Spain |
| #5 | Brian Dean | Exploding Topics | USA |
| #6 | David Quaid | Primary Position (The Myth Buster) | USA |
| #7 | Wil Reynolds | Seer Interactive | USA |
| #8 | Gagan Ghotra | Australian SEO | Australia |
| #9 | Kevin Indig | Growth Memo | USA |
| #10 | Edward Sturm | Must Read Media | USA |
| #11 | Joy Hawkins | Sterling Sky | Canada |
| #12 | Dr. Pete Meyers | Moz | USA |
| #13 | Britney Muller | Data Sci 101 | USA |
| #14 | Jamie Indigo | Not a Robot | USA |
| #15 | Patrick Stox | Ahrefs | USA |
| #16 | Kristina Azarenko | Marketing Syrup | Canada |
| #17 | AJ Ghergich | Ghergich & Co. | USA |
| #18 | Shaun Anderson | Hobo-Web | Scotland |
| #19 | Greg Gifford | SearchLab | USA |
| #20 | Brodie Clark | Brodie Clark Consulting | Australia |
Previous Accolades & Recognition
This latest ranking caps a remarkable 12 months for the Greenock-based Hobo Web, which has collected a string of major industry awards since mid-2025:
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Top AI SEO Expert (2025): Recognized by Primary Position for expertise in blending advanced content analytics with search optimization, appearing alongside global titans.
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#1 UK SEO Blog (July 2025): Named the Best SEO Blog in the United Kingdom by Feedspot, beating out major London agencies to reclaim the top spot Hobo-Web first held in 2018.
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#1 Scottish SEO Influencer (July 2025): Voted the leading SEO voice in Scotland, and the only Scot to feature on Feedspot’s “Top 45 SEO Influencers” list.
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Top 15 SEO Blog Worldwide (July 2025): Ranked #14 globally, placing the independent Scottish blog in the company of massive industry publications like Search Engine Journal and Moz.
About Hobo-Web
Founded in 2006, Hobo-Web is a leading UK SEO consultancy based in Greenock, Scotland. Specializing in forensic SEO audits and evidence-based content strategy, the firm helps brands navigate the complexities of AI search and algorithmic ranking. Shaun Anderson is a keynote speaker on the Google leak at SMX Paris 2026.
About Primary Position
Primary Position is a leading digital marketing agency and industry authority, renowned for its data-centric approach to Search Engine Optimization. The firm publishes the annual “Top 50 SEOs” list, widely considered the benchmark for excellence and influence within the global search marketing community.