Rand Fishkin

About Rand Fishkin

Rand Fishkin is the co-founder of Moz, the SEO software company that helped define the modern search optimization industry, and co-founder of SparkToro, an audience research tool. He created the iconic "Whiteboard Friday" video series at Moz, which became one of the most beloved educational resources in the SEO community. Rand is also the author of "Lost and Founder," a refreshingly honest book about the realities of building a startup. His career spans over two decades of shaping how marketers think about search, audience research, and brand building.

Why follow them

Rand is known for his intellectual honesty and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom in marketing, even when it goes against his own business interests. He frequently publishes research and data that question popular marketing assumptions, from the declining click-through rates of Google search to the overestimation of social media attribution. His shift from pure SEO to audience research reflects a forward-thinking approach that recognizes how marketing is evolving beyond just search rankings. Following Rand means getting thoughtful, data-backed perspectives that will make you a more critical and effective marketer.

Best content to start with

The SparkToro blog is an excellent starting point, featuring in-depth articles on audience research, SEO trends, and marketing strategy. Watch his "Whiteboard Friday" series on YouTube, which covers SEO fundamentals and advanced topics in an engaging, visual format. His book "Lost and Founder" is a must-read not just for startup founders but for any marketer who wants to understand the business side of the industry with rare candor and practical wisdom.