SEO pioneer and expert Bill Slawski passes away

We have just learned the shocking news that Bill Slawski, an SEO expert, educator and pioneer, has died.

Slawski was the Director of SEO Research at Go Fish Digital, a digital marketing agency. His company just shared the news of his passing on Twitter, moments ago.

We're devastated to share that our colleague and dear friend, @bill_slawski has passed away. Words simply cannot express our sadness. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Bill. We’ll share much more info and arrangements as it comes available to us. pic.twitter.com/5mD6jqw7XR

— Go Fish Digital (@GoFishDigital) May 19, 2022

We don’t know many details about his death. But we do know he leaves an incredible void in our industry, a wealth of knowledge and countless SEOs who are better off as a result of his mentorship, insights and expertise.

About Bill Slawski

Slawski was doing SEO before Google. Heck, before SEO was even called SEO.

He started his career when it was simply known as internet marketing and web promotion, in 1996. He provided consulting services to help make websites easier to find online, help make them easier to use, and increase conversions and revenue for clients.

Throughout his career, Slawski worked on all types of sites – nonprofits, Fortune 500, educational institutions, e-commerce, professional services, consumer goods, B2B and more.

SEO by the Sea

For many in our industry, Slawski was probably best-known for researching, interpreting and writing about Google and search-related patents and algorithms at SEO by the Sea. He started the SEO by the Sea blog in June 2005.

Contributions to the search community

They were many.

Aside from writing on his own blog, Slawski contributed articles to many search marketing publications.

Slawski was a contributing author here at Search Engine Land from December 2006 to July 2008. You can read Slawski’s articles here.

Slawski was also a popular speaker at several search conferences, including several SMX events. He also did several webinar presentations and was an in-demand guest for multiple SEO podcasts.

Aside from that, he was extremely active on Twitter. Of late, he was fairly obsessed with debunking SEO myths.

‘Our teacher, our professor, our mentor’

That is how Search Engine Land’s own Barry Schwartz described Slawski in 2020.

After Slawski suffered a stroke, Schwartz created a tribute site: billslawski.com. Schwartz asked SEOs for stories about how Slawski had helped them in their career. And they sure delivered.

The site is filled with hundreds of stories and memories, published on a near-daily basis, from Dec. 15, 2020 until May 10, 2021.

Community reaction

We are all still in shock and processing this devastating loss.

News quickly spread of Slawski’s passing on Twitter and word-of-mouth. Here’s just a small sampling of reactions from the search community, upon learning of Slawski’s death.

Bill was a shining beacon for all those who wanted to understand often complicated search patents. And SEO generally. I knew and appreciated his kindness and thoughtfulness. This is a terrible loss. Thoughts to his family, friends and coworkers. You'll be missed, Bill. https://t.co/yXRzVQEAvj

— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) May 19, 2022

So, so sad. He was such a smart and generous man. A true legend in SEO. We'll all miss him tremendously.

— Matt McGee (@mattmcgee) May 19, 2022

RIP Bill. He had a huge influence on me, and I'm thankful he came to see me speak that time I built a huge part of my presentation as a tribute to ways of thinking I learned from him. So sorry to hear this.

— Will Critchlow (@willcritchlow) May 19, 2022

So sad. I've known Bill for more than 20 years. He dropped me a note just recently when he found out my new HQ was in San Diego and I'm due to go there in a couple of weeks. I really valued our long time friendship, and such a great contribution to the industry. RIP Bill.

— Mike Grehan (@mikegrehan) May 19, 2022

I JUST spoke to him a couple of weeks ago about us getting together here in San Diego. He seemed fine and in good spirits.

I was honored to call Bill a friend. An incredible loss personally, and professionally. My deepest sympathies.

— Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) May 19, 2022

Condolences to he entire family, and our entire industry. Bill had such a unique take on SEO that it made everyone stop and rethink what we thought we knew. He will be missed.

— Brett Tabke (@btabke) May 19, 2022

Few people have made as big an impact on the SEO industry as @bill_slawski. The place won't feel the same without him.

— Andrew Shotland (@localseoguide) May 19, 2022

I'm speechless… without words! My dear friend, mon ami, my confident in SEO, patents, algo's, flowers, sunsets, sunrise, my go to chat friend is gone?! You will be missed Bill, R.I.P.

— Gabriella (@SEOcopy) May 19, 2022

Bill gave so much knowledge and love to the SEO community. Your kind spirit and generosity will be greatly missed.

— Chris Long (@gofishchris) May 19, 2022

This is very sad news, thoughts for his family. And our industry is losing a very valuable person, who passed on so much knowledge to our large SEO community around the world. Bill will leave a very big void. Thank you for your generosity!

— David Eichholtzer (@DEichholtzer) May 19, 2022

This story is developing. Check back for more updates shortly.

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