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    Who are the most influential voices in Link building & digital PR?

    Updated October 21, 2026

    Key takeaway

    Brian Dean is named by all four engines and is first for ChatGPT and Gemini. Fery Kaszoni is named by ChatGPT, Copilot and Google AI Mode, Shannon McGuirk and Carrie Rose by Copilot, Gemini and Google AI Mode, and Rand Fishkin by ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode. Carrie Rose is first for Google AI Mode and Zeeshan Yaseen is first for Copilot, so the leader differs by engine.

    Disagreement (2)

    Brian Dean is the most influential voice

    Carrie Rose is the most influential voice

    Verdict

    Backing is split. ChatGPT and Gemini put Brian Dean first, Google AI Mode puts Carrie Rose first, and Copilot puts Zeeshan Yaseen first. Dean is the only name all four engines share.

    What engines actually searched

    The sub-queries each engine actually searched before answering.

    Cited, but not mentioned

    11 sites cite this answer without naming anyone

    Full responses

    5 of 5 engines that answered. Full stored text as captured, with dashes shown as hyphens. Nothing is summarised.

    ChatGPT281 characters · October 10, 2026
    1. Brian Dean
    2. Paddy Moogan
    3. Rand Fishkin
    4. Garrett French
    5. Julie Joyce
    6. Gisele Navarro
    7. Kristin Tynski
    8. Ross Hudgens
    9. Fery Kaszoni
    10. Jon Cooper

    juliangoldie.co.uk

    Gemini logo Gemini190 characters · October 10, 2026

    1. Brian Dean

    2. Rand Fishkin

    3. Ross Simmonds

    4. Carrie Rose

    5. Gareth Simpson

    6. Joe Davies

    7. Sujan Sarkar

    8. Amanda Milligan

    9. Shannon McGuirk

    10. Julie Joyce

    Google AI Mode1,618 characters · October 10, 2026

    Based on industry authority, community footprint, agency scaling, and prominent thought leadership in SEO, link acquisition, and modern Digital PR, here are the top 10 individual people ranked from most to least influential: Carrie Rose | Rise at SevenBest Link Building Expert: Top 10 Ranked (2026)Ross Hudgens - Founder / CEOTop 20 SEO Influencers and Voices to Follow [2025] | Clearscope

    1. Carrie Rose
    2. [Brian Dean]
    3. [Ross Hudgens]
    4. [Paddy Moogan]
    5. [Fery Kaszoni]
    6. [Julian Goldie]
    7. [James Agate]
    8. [Beth Nunnington]
    9. [Gareth Hoyle]
    10. [Kasra Dash] Fery Kaszoni - SEO case studies - Digital PR case studies | LinkedInThe Link Building Book by Paddy Moogan - Aira DigitalI am James Agate, founder of Skyrocket, link builder ... - RedditbrightonSEO search marketing conference speakersBest SEO & GEO Professionals, Experts and Influencers to Follow and Learn From in 2026 | Szymon Słowik

    Would you like me to provide specific signature campaigns or frameworks associated with any of these individual experts?

    Perplexity154 characters · October 21, 2026
    1. Julian Goldie
    2. Brian Dean
    3. Paddy Moogan
    4. Jon Cooper
    5. Julie Joyce
    6. Carrie Rose
    7. Rand Fishkin
    8. Aleyda Solís
    9. Cyrus Shepard
    10. Neil Patel
    Copilot logo Copilot3,594 characters · October 10, 2026

    Top 10 most influential voices in link building & digital PR (ranked):

    1. Zeeshan Yaseen

    2. Kelsey Libert

    3. Alex Tachalova

    4. Shannon McGuirk

    5. Carrie Rose

    6. Brian Dean

    7. Fery Kaszoni

    8. Cyrus Shepard

    9. Charles Floate

    10. Tim Laanstra

    Why these individuals stand out

    Key Takeaways

    • This ranking blends digital PR innovators (like Zeeshan Yaseen and Carrie Rose) with classic link-building authorities (like Brian Dean and Cyrus Shepard).

    • The list reflects 2025’s most cited and followed voices across SEO, PR, and link-building communities.

    • Each individual is actively shaping how brands earn visibility through creative campaigns, authoritative backlinks, and AI-driven strategies.

    Would you like me to also show you their most recent campaigns or publications so you can see practical examples of their influence?