aeo experts
The 15 AI Search and AEO Experts to Follow in 2026
Last updated: Jul 8, 2026
AEO Experts in short
AEO is still evolving, but its impact on visibility is already real. We’ve curated a list of 15 experts and thought leaders who are publishing research, testing AI systems, and helping marketers navigate generative search with clarity. Follow them to stay ahead of how discovery is changing.
Table of Contents
- What makes an AEO expert?
- How to choose the right AEO experts to follow
- The 15 AEO experts and thought leaders to follow in 2026
What makes an AEO expert?
AEO isn’t just SEO with a new acronym.
Answer engine optimization sits at the intersection of search, AI systems, content strategy, and technical authority. It requires understanding how LLMs interpret entities, how generative search surfaces information, and how trust signals translate beyond blue links.
How to choose the right AEO experts to follow
Before you go and follow every influencer in this list on LinkedIn, it’s important to understand that not every marketer needs to follow every voice.
If you’re an enterprise SEO or digital leader
Look for experts who publish data-backed insights and speak to long-term strategy, not just tactical experimentation.
If you lead content or brand
Follow experts who focus on authority, trust signals, and how generative search surfaces brands.
If you’re a technical SEO or data lead
You’ll want to go deeper.
If you’re new to AEO
Prioritize clarity over complexity.
The 15 AEO experts and thought leaders to follow in 2026
Aleyda Solís
Founder, Orainti | International SEO & AI Search Consultant
Category: Enterprise SEO strategy & AI search education
Andy Lambert
Principal Product Manager, Adobe Express | Co-founder, ContentCal
Category: Content, community & influence
Anna York
AI SEO Systems Architect, Growth Architecture Studio
Category: AI-integrated SEO strategy
Barry Schwartz
CEO, RustyBrick | Editor, Search Engine Roundtable
Category: Search industry intelligence & AI monitoring
Carley Lake
Seller Content Marketing | Author, AI + Marketing Weekly
Category: AI tools, workflows & modern marketing
Eli Schwartz
Author of Product-Led SEO | Strategic SEO/AEO & Growth Advisor
Category: Strategic SEO & AEO reframing
Kate Vasylenko
Managing Partner/CEO, 42DM | Member of CMO Alliance and Forbes Agency Council
Category: B2B AI visibility & hybrid architecture
Kelsey Libert
Co-Founder, Fractl | Digital PR & SEO Strategist
Category: Authority, earned media & AI visibility research
Lily Ray
VP, SEO & AI Search, Amsive
Category: Algorithm risk & AI search integrity
Pat Reinhart
VP, Professional Services, Conductor
Category: Enterprise SEO strategy & AI search reality checks
Peter Rota
Senior Technical SEO Manager, HUB International | Freelance SEO Consultant
Category: Technical foundations & AI pragmatism
Rand Fishkin
Co-Founder, SparkToro | Co-Founder, Alertmouse | Co-Founder Snackbar Studio
Category: Audience research & expanding search definition
Rebecca Thorburn
B2B GTM Marketing Strategist | Fractional CMO | Advisor
Category: AI agent readiness & infrastructure
Ryan Law
Director of Content Marketing, Ahrefs
Category: Content systems & AI-driven SEO strategy
Steven Schneider
CEO, TrioSEO
Category: SEO-to-revenue systems
Vincent DeCastro
Fractional VP/Director of GEO, AEO, and AI SEO | President, The ABM Agency
Category: AI ecosystems, measurement & machine buyers
FAQs about AEO experts
What makes someone an AEO expert?
AEO is still emerging, which makes credibility especially important. The strongest experts build on proven SEO foundations while actively testing how AI systems retrieve, summarize, and recommend content, and they tie those insights to measurable business outcomes.
Who are the top AEO experts to follow right now?
The top AEO experts are helping marketers adapt to generative search in real time. They publish original research, influence enterprise strategy, and translate SEO fundamentals into AI-driven visibility.
Are AEO experts different from traditional SEO experts?
Often, yes. Many AEO thought leaders come from SEO, but they’re the ones actively adapting their expertise to generative search and AI-driven discovery right now.
How can marketers evaluate which AEO experts to trust?
Prioritize evidence over hype. Look for data, case studies, and repeatable frameworks, and for voices that acknowledge uncertainty in a fast-moving space.
Where do AEO experts share their insights?
Most publish on LinkedIn, newsletters, and industry blogs.