Reflecting on a Decade of Engagement: A Message from Tim Soulo of Ahrefs to the SEO Community
As we mark over eleven years of continuous interaction with our valued community at BigSEO, I want to take this opportunity to reconnect and invite your insights into the evolving landscape of digital marketing and SEO.
A Decade of Seeking Your Feedback
Back in August 2015, shortly after joining Ahrefs, I initiated a conversation here on Reddit, seeking your candid feedback on our tools and approach. Since then, I’ve made it a tradition to revisit this dialogue every two years on the same date. To date, we’ve held six of these exchanges, each providing valuable perspectives that help shape our development and strategy:
While these recurring reflections have been informative, the rapid pace of technological innovation—especially in AI—compels us to engage more proactively. Hence, today, I reach out not just to listen but to actively gather your insights on key developments.
Your Voice on Critical Topics Shaping Our Industry
Below are five pressing topics we’re eager to hear your thoughts on. Feel free to share your perspectives or discuss any other issues you believe are important for the community and industry as a whole.
1. Shift from Traditional SEO to Autonomous SEO (AEO)
How significantly has your focus shifted from conventional SEO strategies to Autonomous SEO?
With AI-driven tools and methods gaining prominence, many claim that SEO is evolving into AEO—a new paradigm where automation plays a pivotal role. Do you think the fundamental principles differ, or are they just different facets of the same coin?
Additionally, have you tried our Brand Radar tool? What are your impressions?
2. The Growing Significance of Brand Mentions
In the era of sophisticated AI models relying heavily on third-party references, is acquiring brand mentions becoming more crucial than ever?
Historically, backlinks and link-building have been central to SEO. Now, could brand mentions take on a similar or even greater role in establishing credibility and influencing search engines?
And have you explored our Firehose product? We’re interested in your feedback.
3. Automation of Marketing Tasks with AI Agents
To what extent have you delegated marketing responsibilities to AI agents?
On platforms like LinkedIn, AI tools such as Claude or Code have been making waves—do they truly handle core tasks at scale? What specific marketing activities have you successfully automated or outsourced to AI?
For those using our Letaido platform, we’re curious about your experience.
4. Content Creation in the Age of AI
How much of your content production is now AI-driven?
Many case studies showcase rapid scaling of content using AI tools, but some also report Google penalties following aggressive AI use. At Ahrefs, we leverage AI extensively with positive results, but we’d love to hear how your experiences compare.
5. Future Research and Data Insights
What areas of data or industry research would you like us to explore?
With access to petabytes of marketing data and advancing AI-driven analysis, we’re eager to produce studies that deliver actionable insights. Tell us what topics or questions you’d like us to investigate.
A Strategic Outlook from Ahrefs
Though we’re a privately held company and don’t publish conventional shareholder updates, our community’s insights are our primary reference point—consider this our version of transparency.
Entering 2026, we recognize that the landscape of software development is becoming more accessible. Nearly anyone can now develop functional tools with decent UI, which has contributed to a dip in software market valuations. To stay ahead, we are focusing on two core areas:
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Data Excellence:
We have rebuilt our web crawler for speed and smarter data prioritization (launching Firehose based on this upgrade). We’ve also enhanced our API accessibility and released the Domain Rating endpoint for free, emphasizing transparency and utility. -
AI Agents & Automation:
As AI integration accelerates, Letaido exemplifies our commitment to shaping the future rather than merely observing it. We aim to empower users with intelligent tools that lead industry innovation rather than follow.
Open Dialogue with Our Community
Traditionally, discussions like this bring the entire Ahrefs team—including our founder Dmytro Gerasymenko—into close engagement. Rest assured, your feedback is heard by the relevant experts within our organization.
This ongoing conversation is vital for steering our product development and industry insights. We invite you to share openly, knowing that your voice directly influences the future of SEO and marketing tools.
In Conclusion
Your insights are invaluable in navigating the fast-moving terrain of digital marketing. Whether it’s the transition to autonomous strategies, the role of AI in content, or the future of data-driven research, we’re committed to listening—and acting—informed by your expertise.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s continue shaping the future of our industry together.
Tim Soulo
Chief Evangelist, Ahrefs
