Biography
Founded Search Engine Watch in 1997, launched the Search Engine Strategies (SES) conference series in 1999, and co-founded Search Engine Land with Chris Sherman in 2006. Together these built the publishing infrastructure that made SEO a profession rather than a hobby. Served as Google's Public Liaison for Search from October 2017 until August 1, 2025, when he transitioned to a Director role within Google Search. He is the only person to ever operate the SEO press box and then take over the broadcast booth on the other side. Without Sullivan, there is no SEO industry as a coherent discipline. First-ballot, unanimous, and the only honest place to begin any inaugural class.
