If you search for "best SEO expert" or "best GEO expert", you will see that everyone who shows up describes themselves with that title. The truth is this: there is no independent, widely accepted ranking in this field. In this article I am not recommending a name; instead I am giving you a 12-question checklist you can use with anyone you work with. I ask myself these questions too, and I have written my answers openly at the bottom.
Why can't "the best" be measured?
Because the expert alone does not determine the result: the technical state of your site, the competition in your industry, the quality of your content, your budget and time matter just as much. On top of that, visibility in AI answers (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity) cannot be expressed as a single number the way a classic search ranking can; the same question can get different answers at different times. In this uncertainty, "I am the best" is not evidence but a claim; when evaluating, look at the evidence.
Google's own warnings
On its "Do you need an SEO?" page, Google openly lists the questions to ask and the signs to watch for when hiring an SEO. In short: no one can guarantee you the number one spot on Google; be cautious with anyone who says "I have a special connection with Google" or "I make priority submissions to Google"; watch out for firms that do not want to explain their methods; ask for references from previous clients. The same page also reminds you that you are ultimately responsible for the actions of the firms you hire. For AI features as well, Google's guidance says there is no additional special technical requirement to appear in these surfaces and that good SEO fundamentals apply; so claims that sell a "secret formula for AI" deserve skepticism.
12 questions
- Can you show proof of the work you have done before? A good answer: before/after data, period, metric, source. A screenshot or panel export. "We worked with big brands" is not enough.
- What will we measure before the work starts? If the starting point is not in writing, it is impossible to say "it improved" later. On which queries, on which platforms, with which metric?
- Is the measurement repeatable? A single attempt is meaningless in AI answers. It should be repeated every month with the same question set, the same platforms and recorded evidence.
- Do you give guarantees? Someone who guarantees a ranking or "you will appear in AI" contradicts themselves. The honest answer: "there is no guarantee; we measure this and do that".
- Can you explain in writing what you will do? Scope, deliverables and timeline should be in writing. A hidden method or a "secret" pitch is a red flag.
- What access do you need to my site and accounts? No more permission than necessary should be requested; every access should have a reason. Google also warns about those who ask for write access to Search Console.
- Will you tell me about the changes you make? What changes on your site should not be hidden from you; there should be a change log and a way to roll back.
- How do you tie the result to sales? Traffic or visibility alone is not the goal. In advertising and measurement, the panel figure should be matched against the actual order record.
- What do you produce with AI, and who reviews it? Automation can collect data and prepare drafts; but ask whether every output passes through human eyes. Content produced in bulk without review can harm your site.
- Do you know my industry and my market? A question Google also recommends: industry and country experience. Turkish-language answers, local marketplaces and local competitors have different dynamics.
- Are your pricing and scope in writing? What are the contract and exit terms? A structure that says "starts from" instead of "call for a quote" builds trust. If there is a minimum term, the reason should be explained.
- Will you tell me if this work is not right for me? A good expert will say so if the service does not make sense for your site or industry. Someone who says "yes" to every client is thinking about their own sales, not about you.
Red flags
- A guarantee of ranking or of "being first in AI".
- Claims such as "I have a special relationship with Google" or "priority submission".
- Offers that do not explain the method and only sell a "package".
- Avoiding references or proof; saying "big brands" without naming a client.
- A report with only panel screenshots and no comparison against orders or records.
- A promise of AI content produced in bulk without human review.
- A setup that wants to take ownership of your accounts for itself.
Ask me these questions too
I am Sinan Seyfi Yetginer; as the Digital Strategist, I manage SEO, GEO and AI visibility together for businesses in Turkey: AI visibility audits (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity and Google's AI features), GEO technical setup, product, category and content SEO, ChatGPT and other digital advertising management, and e-commerce and marketplace management; I have more than 15 years of trade and e-commerce experience. I ask myself the questions in this article as well. Because I am the author, this section is a self-declaration; so that all of it can be checked, I keep my answers written out separately on the site:
- Proof: Every figure on the Case studies page has its period and source written; figures are published with client approval.
- Measurement: A set of more than 40 questions, across five platforms, recorded with screenshots; repeated month by month (I explained the method).
- Guarantee: None. The output of AI models is not under my control; I guarantee what I measure and what I do, not the ranking.
- Pricing and scope: On the service pages, the "starts from" amount of the price, the timeline and the deliverables are written out.
- Oversight: Automation collects the data and prepares drafts; the output is reviewed before it is delivered.
- Fit: If a brand has no website or has not produced content, I say openly in the call that an audit will not give meaningful results.
When looking for an expert, your goal should not be to find "the best", but someone who fits your business, has proof, and explains what they do. Someone who gives clear, written answers to all of these questions is more trustworthy than someone who says "I am the best".
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best SEO expert in Turkey?
There is no independent, widely accepted ranking. Every expert who calls themselves "the best" is making a claim; you need to look at their proof (before/after data, measurement method, references).
Can a GEO expert and an SEO expert be the same person?
They can; according to Google, good SEO fundamentals apply to appearing in AI surfaces. GEO adds non-Google systems, measurement and brand clarity on top of that. What matters is that the expert can explain in writing which metric they work with.
Can an expert guarantee a ranking?
According to Google's official page, no one can guarantee the number one spot on Google. Be cautious with anyone who gives a guarantee.
What access should I give an expert?
Give only the access the work requires, and ask for the reason; ownership of the accounts should stay with you, and a record of the changes made should be passed on to you.
Sources
- Google: Do you need an SEO? Tips for hiring an SEO
- Google: Optimizing your website for generative AI features on Google Search
- Google: AI features and your website
Sources checked on 1 October 2026; official pages may change over time.
