Evan Bailyn
Evan Bailyn is a pioneer of content driven SEO and the founder of First Page Sage, the largest SEO firm in the United States. He is the author of the bestselling book Outsmarting Google and a respected keynote speaker and consultant. Evan has advised major brands including LinkedIn, Verizon and US Bank, and his insights have appeared in The New York Times, Forbes and ABC News. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he leads First Page Sage’s research and development.Biography
Evan Bailyn is a leading authority in the field of Search Engine Optimization and one of the original architects of the content driven strategies that define modern SEO. With a career that began in the early 2000s, Evan has spent over two decades shaping the way businesses appear online. He is the founder and CEO of First Page Sage, the largest SEO firm in the United States, where he continues to guide research and development with a focus on long term, results oriented growth.
Evan first gained national attention with his bestselling book Outsmarting Google, a ground breaking guide that introduced a content based approach to SEO. The book’s impact was immediate and far reaching, influencing the direction of the industry and positioning Evan as a trusted voice among marketers and business leaders. His approach, rooted in quality content and thought leadership, now serves as the standard for high level SEO campaigns across the globe.
Today, Evan is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and remains actively involved in the SEO world as a keynote speaker and consultant. His speaking engagements are known for offering clear, practical insights that bridge strategy with execution, making complex topics both accessible and actionable for a wide range of audiences. Whether addressing global enterprises or emerging startups, he delivers a message grounded in experience and backed by data.
First Page Sage, the firm he leads, serves some of the most recognisable brands in the world. Clients include LinkedIn, Verisign, Logitech, US Bank and Verizon, among many others. Under Evan’s leadership, the company has built a reputation for transparency, measurable impact and a rigorous focus on quality.
His expertise has been featured in leading media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, ABC News and Fox News. As an innovator, educator and practitioner, Evan Bailyn has played a defining role in the evolution of SEO and continues to shape its future through his work with First Page Sage and the broader marketing community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Evan pioneered the content based SEO methodology that is now standard across the industry. Rather than focusing solely on technical optimisation, his strategy emphasises high quality, expert led content and thought leadership. His bestselling book Outsmarting Google helped popularise this approach, which is now widely used by top performing digital brands.
Evan’s talks are most valuable to marketing executives, digital strategists, business leaders, SEO professionals, and founders who want to understand how to achieve sustained organic visibility. His presentations are especially relevant to those seeking long term growth through thought leadership and content marketing.
Evan speaks on advanced SEO strategy, content marketing, thought leadership, and the future of organic search. His sessions often cover how to build long term trust with Google, the importance of content driven SEO, and the shift from technical optimisation to brand authority in modern search marketing.
Yes. Through First Page Sage, Evan has led SEO and content strategy for major clients including LinkedIn, Verizon, Logitech, Verisign, and US Bank. His firm is known for delivering high impact SEO campaigns that are grounded in data and quality content.