The paid search industry is full of people blogging, tweeting, and sharing PPC wisdom.  But which experts are considered the best of the best- when they speak, we listen?  We researched over 100 PPC experts to find out who are the most influential and took into consideration social media networks and connections, blog contributions and publications, speaking engagements, etc.- not just the ones with the largest number of Twitter followers or connections, but those who actively engaging the paid search industry through multiple mediums.

The professionals who made it into our top 25 most influential list are knowledgeable in paid search, and share their SEM tips, tricks, and articles through their social networks, blogs, and speaking engagements.

We have been lucky enough to have several of these folks speak at Hero Conf and featured in Heroviews. These 25 experts are people you need to know.  You will want to follow them on Twitter, add them to your Google + circles, and subscribe to them on Facebook.  Check out their blogs, and see if they’re speaking at a conference near you.  These professionals are well-versed in PPC, and not afraid to share their knowledge and findings!

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To learn more about the process behind this list, read our methodology post.

Top 25 Most Influential PPC Experts:

1.) Bryan Eisenberg

Bryan Eisenberg impressed us with his visibility in every single medium that we looked at.  He keeps active professional profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google +, and Twitter, sharing SEM tips and articles with his followers.  Bryan is a best-selling author and speaks at a large number of conferences around the world.  Look Bryan up on YouTube, and you can watch dozens of his interviews, speeches, and SEM tips.  He has co-authored several books, and is an advisory board member of several organizations including Search Engine Strategies, the eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit, and BoostCTR.  Bryan has an incredible presence in the SEM industry, and highly deserves our title for him: Most Influential PPC Expert.

2.) Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan has a staggering number of followers in multiple mediums.  Of all the PPC experts we looked at, he has by far the largest number of Twitter followers or Google + circle followers.  There’s even a Wikipedia page about Danny!  He is the Editor-in-Chief of Search Engine Land, produces the Search Marketing Expo series, and is a sought-after SEM speaker.

3.) Marty Weintraub

Marty Weintraub has done a great job of establishing himself as an influential PPC expert through his international speaking engagements and active blog writing, which extends beyond his company blog to additional Internet publications such as Search Engine Watch and Search Engine Land.  He maintains professional profiles on all of the social networks we examined, and still has found the time to author “Killer Facebook Ads” (Wiley/Sybex 2011) and run his Online Marketing Agency, aimClear.

4.) Joanna Lord

Joanna Lord describes herself as a PPC expert, social media enthusiast, blogger, and coffee drinker.  It’s no surprise then that she is one of the most influential PPC experts out there!  Joanna has thousands of fans who loyally follow her on Twitter, add her to their circles on Google +, and befriend her on Facebook.  She is an acclaimed speaker, and writes both on her personal blog as well as on the SEOmoz blog.

5.) Tim Ash

Tim Ash, CEO of SiteTuners.com, is well-known as a speaker, author, and entrepreneur.  He is the Founder and Chair of Conversion Conference, and has written on ClickZ, Search Engine Watch, and other popular publications.  Tim hosts a Landing Page Optimization podcast on WebMasterRadio.fm, and keeps up his social networks with active professional profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

6.) Dennis Yu

7.) Jeff Ferguson

8.) Brad Geddes

9.) Kevin Lee

10.) John Rampton

11.) Lisa Raehsler

12.) Kent Lewis

13.) David Szetela

14.) Stefan Weitz

15.) William Leake

16.) Laura Thieme

17.) David Rodnitzky

18.) Frederick Vallaeys

19.) Andy Atkins-Kruger

20.) Noran El-Shinnawy

21.) Larry Kim

22.) Rick Galan

23.) Mona Elesseily

24.) Matt Van Wagner

25.) Justin Seibert