Rand Fishkin
Rand Fishkin is the cofounder and CEO of SparkToro, an audience research software company, and indie game developer at Snackbar Studio. He previously co founded Moz and Inbound.org and is the author of Lost and Founder and co author of The Art of SEO. Rand has keynoted over 100 events worldwide and is known for his honest, data driven approach to marketing. Based online and deeply engaged in the tech community, he continues to shape how marketers understand and reach their audiences.Biography
Rand Fishkin is one of the most influential voices in digital marketing and audience research. As the cofounder and CEO of SparkToro, he leads the development of innovative software that helps marketers, creators and researchers better understand their audiences. His career has been defined by a commitment to making marketing more transparent, ethical and accessible, using data and storytelling to empower professionals around the world.
Rand first rose to prominence as the cofounder of Moz, one of the most widely known platforms in SEO. Under his leadership, Moz became a trusted resource for marketers seeking to improve search visibility and build long term brand authority. He also co founded Inbound.org, a once thriving hub for inbound marketers and entrepreneurs to connect and share insights. Throughout his journey, Rand has focused on lifting others by demystifying the marketing landscape and giving people the tools to succeed.
He is the author of Lost and Founder, a candid and often unconventional account of building a startup from the ground up. In it, Rand shares his personal lessons from years in the tech industry, offering an honest alternative to the myths of Silicon Valley success. He also co authored The Art of SEO, a foundational text for search professionals that remains a go to guide for understanding search engine optimisation.
A sought after speaker, Rand has delivered keynote addresses at over 100 events worldwide, where he is known for blending sharp insight with humour, humility and practical value. His talks span topics including digital strategy, audience intelligence, startup growth and ethical marketing.
Beyond his work with SparkToro, Rand is also an indie game developer through Snackbar Studio. He brings the same creative energy and audience first mindset to this project as he does to his marketing work.
Based online across platforms including Threads, LinkedIn and Bluesky, Rand continues to engage actively with the marketing and tech communities. When he is not leading product development or speaking at global events, he can often be found cooking inventive meals at home with his wife, the award winning author Geraldine DeRuiter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rand speaks on a wide range of subjects including digital marketing, audience research, ethical startup growth, SEO, branding, and the future of marketing technology. His sessions are known for being practical, engaging, and backed by real world experience from two decades in the industry.
Rand is best known as the cofounder and former CEO of Moz, a pioneer in SEO software, and currently as the cofounder and CEO of SparkToro, an audience research platform. He is also widely respected for his book Lost and Founder, which offers a transparent look at the realities of startup life.
Rand’s talks are ideal for marketing professionals, startup teams, founders, content strategists, product leaders, and anyone interested in understanding how to build ethical, audience driven businesses. He speaks effectively to both technical and non technical audiences.
SparkToro is an audience research software company that helps users understand where their audiences spend time and whom they trust. Rand frequently shares insights drawn from SparkToro’s data, helping marketers create smarter, more targeted campaigns.