【2026 Latest】21 Recommended SEO Companies Chosen by Professionals: A Thorough Explanation of Comparison Points to Avoid Failure

“I want to attract more visitors to our website, but how should we do it…?”
“I want to hire a professional for SEO, but which company should I choose?”
“What if I pay a high fee and it ends up being a failure…?”

To increase website traffic and boost sales or inquiries, many companies consider hiring specialized SEO agencies.
However, finding a truly reliable partner who can lead your business to success from among countless options is no easy task.

In this article, we provide a comprehensive explanation of the key points to help web marketing managers and business owners avoid mistakes when choosing an SEO agency.
By reading to the end, you will gain clear comparison criteria to identify the best company that fits your challenges and goals.
You’ll then be able to confidently choose a partner who can accelerate your business growth.

Techro Inc. is also distributing materials about its “SEO Consulting Services.”

If you are in charge of BtoB SEO and facing challenges, we encourage you to take a look.

Free owned media management service materials

We offer a comprehensive support menu and track record, from strategy design to production, operation, and performance measurement.

• Explaining how to launch your own media
• Explaining content marketing
• A must-see for those who want to maximize the effectiveness of their owned media
• And more

What is an SEO agency? What services can you outsource, and what types of agencies are there?

Before starting to compare SEO agencies, let’s first review the basics.
What exactly is an SEO agency, and what kind of work do these professional teams handle?
Understanding the services they provide and the differences between agency types is the first step toward choosing the right partner.

Main services provided by SEO agencies

The services you can outsource to an SEO agency are wide-ranging, but they can generally be classified into the following four categories.
To clarify where your company’s challenges lie and what you want to outsource, make sure you understand each area.

SEO strategy planning and consulting

This involves analyzing competitor websites and market data to determine which keywords to target for top rankings.
It is the most important phase, where the overall blueprint of the website is designed to achieve business goals such as increased sales or inquiries.
Rather than simply improving search rankings, the strategy focuses on how SEO contributes to business growth.

On-site optimization (Technical SEO)

These are technical measures to optimize website structure and source code so search engines like Google can easily and accurately understand the content.
Examples include improving page load speed and optimizing the site for mobile devices.
As a result, these efforts also improve user satisfaction for visitors to the site.

Related article: [2026 Edition] 49 Recommended SEO Tools! Experts Thoroughly Compare Free and Paid Options｜A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Choosing Without Failure

Off-site optimization (Backlink acquisition support)

This involves acquiring links (backlinks) to your website from other trustworthy websites in a natural way.
Being referenced by many high-quality sites increases your site’s expertise and authority, leading to higher search engine evaluations.
Unlike the problematic practice of buying links in the past, the modern approach focuses on earning recognition through high-quality content.

Content SEO (Article creation and rewriting)

This strategy focuses on creating and publishing high-quality, useful articles that match users’ search intent.
Providing valuable information improves search engine evaluations and attracts many users to your site.
It is also effective for building relationships with potential customers who are not yet ready to purchase, nurturing future fans.
This is currently the core approach in modern SEO strategies.

Related article: What Is LLMO Optimization? A Web Strategy Handbook for Winning in the AI Era (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Three types of SEO agencies: Which one fits your goals?

SEO agencies can generally be divided into three types based on their characteristics.
The most suitable type depends on your company’s situation, challenges, and the kind of support you are looking for.
Understanding the pros and cons of each will help you identify the right partner.

[With price table] A thorough explanation of SEO costs and pricing models

When outsourcing SEO to a professional agency, the biggest concern is often cost.
How much budget should you expect? What determines pricing? These questions are common.
Here, we present an overview of typical SEO costs by service type and explain major pricing models such as monthly retainers and performance-based fees.
By reading this section, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to assess cost-effectiveness and choose services that fit your budget.

Cost overview by service (as of 2026)

SEO costs vary widely depending on the scope of work, site size, and competitiveness.
Use the following as a general reference when planning your budget.
Pricing also differs by provider size (large agencies, small agencies, freelancers), so treat these as guidelines.

Comparing pros and cons: Three pricing models

SEO agencies typically offer three pricing models: monthly retainer, performance-based, and project-based.
Each has different structures, benefits, and drawbacks.
Choosing the right model depends on your budget and desired outcomes.

Monthly retainer: Easy budget management but no guaranteed results

This is the most common model, where you pay a fixed monthly fee.
The advantage is predictable expenses and easier budget planning.
The downside is that fees apply even if results fall short of expectations.
This model is suitable for companies looking to steadily improve their site over the long term.

Performance-based: Lower initial cost, but defining “results” is critical

Fees are paid based on specific results, such as ranking improvements or inquiries.
While this reduces upfront risk, vague definitions of “results” can lead to disputes.
There is also a risk of short-term, ranking-focused tactics. Careful consideration is required.

Project-based: Focused on solving specific issues

This model sets a fixed fee for a defined scope and timeframe, such as SEO planning for a site renewal or fixing technical issues.
The advantage is clarity in scope and goals.
However, additional costs may arise if new issues are discovered or extra work is needed, so defining the scope in advance is essential.

Related article: Why Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Should Invest in Web Marketing and Key Strategies｜Recommended Support Companies Included

How to choose an SEO agency without failing: 8 key comparison points

To find the best possible partner among many SEO agencies, here are eight practical checkpoints you should never overlook.
Comparing agencies using these criteria helps you make objective decisions without being swayed by superficial claims.
They are also useful as clear justification when seeking internal approval.

Point 1: Are your challenges and objectives (KPIs) clearly defined?

Before searching for an SEO agency, clearly define why you want SEO.
Set concrete goals such as “increase job applications from younger candidates” or “generate 20 inquiries per month for a new product.”
Without clear objectives, it’s impossible to evaluate proposals properly.

Related article: The Complete Guide to Setting Digital Marketing KPIs｜Metrics and Case Studies for Achieving Goals

Point 2: Do they have strengths and proven results in your industry?

Always review case studies and track records on the agency’s website.
Success in the same industry or similar site scale is especially important.
For example, SEO strategies for B2B SaaS differ greatly from those for local restaurants.

Point 3: Are pricing and contract terms reasonable?

Check whether the quoted price matches the proposed services and aligns with market rates.
Also review contract duration. SEO takes time, but overly long mandatory contracts should be approached cautiously.

Point 4: Can you trust the expertise and support system of the account manager?

The assigned manager’s knowledge and communication skills greatly impact success.
Assess response speed, reporting frequency, and clarity of explanations during pre-contract discussions.

Point 5: Are proposals concrete and tailored to your business?

Avoid agencies that offer generic proposals.
Trustworthy agencies explain why specific keywords and improvements are recommended, using data-driven reasoning.

Related article: 21 Digital Marketing Strategies Explained｜Beginner-Friendly Planning and B2B Success Stories

Point 6: Do they follow Google’s guidelines?

Avoid agencies using black-hat SEO tactics that violate Google’s rules.
Unethical methods may yield short-term gains but risk severe penalties.
Long-term asset building requires guideline-compliant strategies.

Point 7: Does the agency rank well for its own SEO?

Check whether the agency’s own site ranks for relevant keywords like “SEO agency” or “content marketing.”
Agencies that achieve results for themselves are more likely to deliver for clients.

Related article: What Is Web Content Marketing? A Complete Beginner’s Guide from Basics to Success Stories and Careers

Point 8: Compare multiple proposals

Never rush into a contract.
Request proposals from at least two or three agencies to objectively compare pricing, strengths, and weaknesses.

Warning signs: Five traits of SEO agencies you should never hire

Many SEO failures stem from choosing unethical providers.
If you notice any of the following signs, avoid signing a contract.

1. Guaranteed rankings or “We’ll get you to No.1”

No one can guarantee rankings due to Google’s complex algorithms. Such claims indicate deception or lack of expertise.

2.Vague explanations and overuse of “trade secrets”

Reputable agencies clearly explain their strategies. Secrecy may hide risky or unethical practices.

3.Proposals focused on mass low-quality backlinks

Bulk backlink purchases are outdated and penalized by Google.

4.Extremely cheap plans or unclear extra fees

Unrealistically low prices often hide poor service or excessive add-on fees.

5.Avoidance of meetings and reliance on phone sales only

Legitimate agencies are transparent and willing to meet in person or online.

[2026 Edition] 21 recommended SEO agencies by purpose

Based on the criteria above, here are 21 carefully selected SEO agencies from a professional perspective.
They are grouped into four categories: comprehensive strength, small business-friendly, B2B-focused, and specialized expertise.

SEO Agencies at a Glance: Overview Table of 21 Recommended Providers

以下、そのまま英語で表形式にしました（内容のみ翻訳、構成は維持しています）。

Recommended SEO Agencies Comparison Table (English)

【Comprehensive Capability】

【For Small & Medium-Sized Businesses】

【BtoB Specialized】

【High Specialization】

【Chosen for Overall Capability】5 Major SEO Agencies with Proven Track Records

“Entrusting a well-established major agency feels more reliable.”
“We want to develop a strategy that integrates not only SEO, but also web advertising and social media.”

For companies seeking broad capabilities and proven results, we introduce five large-scale agencies with strong overall expertise that can support web marketing at a high level.
These companies are particularly recommended for businesses operating large-scale websites or facing complex marketing challenges.

CyberAgent, Inc.

As one of Japan’s leading advertising agencies, CyberAgent’s greatest strength lies in leveraging its vast data assets and know-how for SEO initiatives.
The company is also highly proactive in AI research and development, excelling in advanced analysis and strategic planning powered by cutting-edge technology.
Rather than treating SEO as a standalone tactic, CyberAgent optimizes the entire digital marketing ecosystem—including advertising and social media—to maximize business outcomes, making it an ideal partner for growth-oriented companies.

IREP Co., Ltd. (Hakuhodo DY ONE)

As a member of the Hakuhodo DY Group, IREP is highly regarded for its logical, data-driven SEO consulting.
It has an especially strong track record in YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) sectors such as finance, recruitment, and real estate, where expertise and information accuracy are critical.
IREP is well suited for companies that value solid, data-based strategies over intuition-driven proposals.

Digital Identity Inc.

Digital Identity provides one-stop solutions covering SEO, web advertising management, and website development.
The company is particularly strong in YMYL fields such as finance and real estate, with extensive experience supporting clients ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations.
For businesses seeking to address all web-related challenges under a unified strategy, Digital Identity is a highly reliable partner.

Speee, Inc.

Speee operates its own platforms, including the real estate comparison site “Ieul,” giving it deep expertise not only in SEO but also in driving actual business growth.
As a result, its consulting style focuses not merely on improving search rankings, but on delivering tangible business outcomes.
Speee is an ideal partner for companies that view SEO not as a cost, but as an investment in long-term growth.

PLAN-B Inc.

PLAN-B is one of the industry’s leading companies, boasting support for over 5,000 clients to date.
Its flexibility allows it to handle a wide range of industries and business models, including BtoB, e-commerce, and media sites.
The company also offers its proprietary SEO analysis tool, “SEARCH WRITE,” enabling highly accurate, data-driven strategy proposals.

【For Small and Medium-Sized Businesses】6 Reliable SEO Agencies Offering Hands-On Support

“Large agencies seem expensive and intimidating.”
“We don’t have an in-house web specialist, so we want hands-on support.”

For SME managers and business owners with these needs, we introduce six agencies known for their close, collaborative “hands-on” support style—working side by side with clients to achieve their goals.
Even companies outsourcing SEO for the first time can find a trustworthy partner here.

Nile Inc.

Nile has long operated its owned media platform “Nile’s SEO Consulting Room,” and is widely recognized in the industry for its high-quality content.
As a pioneer in content marketing, Nile excels in developing and executing essential SEO strategies that directly contribute to business results, rather than relying on superficial techniques.
This company is ideal for businesses aiming to build a long-term, high-value website asset.

Willgate Co., Ltd.

Willgate is particularly strong in content-driven SEO and also offers the article production service “EDITORU.”
With experience supporting over 7,000 companies, Willgate is highly trusted by SMEs for its consulting style, which emphasizes a deep understanding of each client’s business goals.
It is a powerful ally for companies that want to consistently publish high-quality content but lack internal resources.

Geocode Co., Ltd.

With nearly 20 years of experience in SEO, Geocode is one of the industry’s long-established firms.
It is especially strong in local SEO, such as “area name + service name” keywords.
In addition to SEO, the company also provides website development and web advertising services, allowing clients to request end-to-end support.
Geocode is well suited for businesses looking to increase store visits or to launch serious SEO initiatives alongside a website renewal.

Sakurazaku Marketing Co., Ltd.

Sakurazaku Marketing is a highly specialized agency with nearly 20 years of exclusive focus on SEO.
Although not a large organization, it excels in providing attentive, client-focused consulting.
The company’s CEO actively shares insights on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), and this high level of transparency has helped build strong trust.
It is recommended for companies seeking long-term partnerships and steady, sustainable results.

Neutral Works Inc.

Neutral Works specializes in visually sophisticated website design combined with post-launch customer acquisition support (SEO and advertising).
The company is ideal for businesses that want websites that are not only visually appealing but also deliver concrete business results.
Its strong reputation is built on thorough client interviews and hands-on support throughout the journey to achieving goals.
It is frequently chosen by companies aiming to balance branding and customer acquisition.

Borde Ltd.

Borde primarily provides SEO services for small businesses and sole proprietors.
All consulting is handled directly by the company’s representative, offering agility and affordability that large agencies cannot match.
For businesses considering SEO for the first time and seeking expert advice without a large budget, Borde is an excellent initial point of contact.

SEO Agencies Specialized in BtoB Marketing

BtoB marketing differs significantly from BtoC marketing, with longer lead times and more complex decision-making processes.
Therefore, choosing a partner who deeply understands BtoB-specific challenges is critical to success.
Here, we introduce five expert agencies with strong capabilities in lead generation and sales conversion.
In particular, the achievements and strengths of Techro Inc., which our media interviewed directly, are not to be missed.

Techro Inc.

Techro is one of the most notable specialist agencies today, focusing on owned media operations for BtoB lead generation.
Its strengths lie in meticulous, data-driven strategy design, a powerful content production system capable of execution at scale, and a hands-on support style that stays closely aligned with clients.
For BtoB companies looking to launch owned media and build a stable lead generation engine through the web, Techro is an ideal partner.

Data-Driven Strategy and BtoB-Focused Expertise

Techro’s greatest strength is its data-driven approach.
Using professional tools such as SEranking, the company thoroughly analyzes competitor sites to identify keywords that directly contribute to customer acquisition.
In addition, its deep understanding of complex BtoB purchasing processes enables it to produce high-quality lead-generation content, such as white papers and case studies, that resonate with decision-makers and stakeholders.

Capacity to Produce 1,200 Articles per Month and a Strong Track Record

Techro boasts one of the industry’s top-class content production capabilities, with the capacity to produce up to 1,200 articles per month.
This overwhelming scale enables rapid media launches and accelerated growth.
For example, in its support for LG Breakthrough Co., Ltd., Techro increased monthly lead acquisition from 30 to 80 within just six months.
Such achievements are further substantiated by the company’s listing on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange.

Faber Company, Inc.

The SEO and content marketing tool “MIERUCA,” which the company develops and provides in-house, is widely recognized across the industry.
In addition to offering the tool itself, the company also delivers advanced consulting services by leveraging the extensive data obtained through MIERUCA.
It is particularly recommended for BtoB companies that aim to execute highly reproducible, data-driven initiatives internally and are working toward in-house SEO capabilities.

WACUL Inc.

Its key strength lies in its proprietary tool “WACUL-AI,” which automatically analyzes websites using AI and provides everything from issue identification to improvement recommendations.
Based on data analysis, it scientifically identifies which areas of a website should be improved to increase conversions.
It has an especially strong track record in improving CVR (conversion rate), such as optimizing inquiry forms, and is well suited for BtoB companies that want to logically maximize website performance.

LANY Inc.

Within the BtoB space, the company specializes particularly in SEO consulting for SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses and web media operations.
It offers broad support ranging from upstream strategic planning to hands-on execution such as content creation, as well as “in-house support” to help clients build internal SEO operations.
It is highly regarded by companies that want to learn logical, reproducible SEO strategies and make them a core internal capability.

StockSun Inc.

Rather than employing specific in-house staff, the company operates a unique business model by collaborating with a large network of freelance experts who have passed rigorous screening, forming optimal project teams tailored to each client’s challenges.
Its strength extends beyond SEO to encompass all aspects of web marketing, including advertising, SNS, and YouTube.
It is recommended for BtoB companies seeking flexible thinking and overall business growth without being confined to SEO alone.

[Selected by Specialization] 5 Professional Firms Excelling in Specific Domains

“My site’s technical issues just won’t get resolved.”
“I want someone to analyze massive volumes of data from a large-scale website and build an accurate strategy.”
For companies with such advanced and specialized needs, we introduce five professional firms with top-class expertise in specific fields in Japan.
This section is intended for companies aiming to solve high-level challenges that are difficult for general SEO agencies to handle.

I-OIX Inc. (Technical SEO)

In the field of technical SEO, which focuses on optimizing a website’s internal structure, this firm is often regarded as unmatched in Japan.
It is one of the most reliable companies when technical challenges are holding back search rankings, such as with sites exceeding millions of pages or highly complex e-commerce systems.
With deep expertise, it resolves issues such as improving page speed and optimizing crawl efficiency.

Ayudante Inc. (Large-Scale Sites & Analytics)

With many experts specializing in data analysis tools such as Google Analytics, this company excels in scientific, data-driven consulting.
It is particularly skilled at analyzing massive volumes of access data from large-scale sites to understand user behavior and propose precise improvements.
For companies struggling with “having lots of data but not knowing how to use it,” it can be an ideal partner.

CINC Inc. (Tools & Analytics)

Its strength lies in data-driven consulting centered around its proprietary, high-performance marketing analysis tool “Keywordmap.”
Using this tool, companies can clearly identify which keywords competitors are using to attract traffic and what information users are seeking.
It is well suited for companies that want to advance content marketing strategically based on data.

FullSpeed Inc.

This company has built an extensive track record over many years in the field of content marketing.
Rather than simply producing articles, it excels at strategic planning focused on how content should be delivered to users and converted into business results.
It is recommended for companies seeking comprehensive support for multi-channel customer acquisition, including SNS promotion and advertising integration centered on content.

JADE Inc.

A professional group composed of renowned SEO experts whose names are widely known throughout the industry.
They continuously conduct in-depth research on Google algorithm updates and provide cutting-edge SEO consulting based on those insights.
For companies facing extremely difficult SEO challenges that other firms have been unable to resolve, this company can be considered a last line of defense.

Three Mindsets Clients Should Have to Ensure SEO Success

So far, we have explained how to choose a good SEO agency, but something just as important as partner selection is the “client’s mindset.”
No matter how capable the agency is, a hands-off attitude of “we paid, so leave everything to them” will not deliver the desired results.
Here are three key mindsets clients should adopt to ensure SEO project success.

1.Don’t outsource blindly—understand the basics of SEO internally

Completely delegating everything to an SEO agency is a common cause of failure. Clients should understand basic SEO mechanisms and key terms such as “keywords,” “backlinks,” and “content.”
With foundational knowledge, clients can better understand the intent behind proposals and engage in more constructive discussions.
As a result, the quality of initiatives improves and the likelihood of success increases.

2.Build internal collaboration to move initiatives forward smoothly

SEO does not operate solely within the marketing department.
For example, creating highly specialized content requires cooperation from sales teams and product developers.
Technical site improvements also require support from engineers and IT departments.
To execute SEO proposals smoothly, it is essential to secure cooperation from relevant internal teams in advance and establish a strong collaborative framework.

3.Avoid chasing short-term results and maintain a long-term perspective

SEO does not produce immediate results like advertising.
Even in the fastest cases, it typically takes three to six months to see results, and more than a year to experience stable outcomes.
Without understanding this, reacting emotionally to short-term ranking fluctuations can lead to poor decisions.
SEO should be viewed as a long-term investment in growing a website as a business asset through sustained effort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Comparing SEO Agencies

In the final stages of selecting an SEO agency, many detailed questions and concerns tend to arise.
Here, we answer common questions from many decision-makers in a clear Q&A format.
Let’s resolve your remaining doubts here to help you choose the right partner with confidence.

Q1. How long does it take to see results from SEO?

While it varies, it is generally realistic to expect at least three to six months, and around one year to experience stable results.
The timeframe depends heavily on the current state of the website, keyword competitiveness, and available resources.
It is important to understand that SEO is not a magical tactic that delivers instant results.

Q2. Is there a contract term? Can I cancel midway?

Many SEO agencies typically require contracts of six months to one year.
This is because SEO is a long-term initiative.
Whether mid-term cancellation is possible and whether penalties apply depends on the company and contract plan.
Be sure to review cancellation terms carefully in the contract and ask questions before signing.

Q3. Which is better: performance-based pricing or fixed monthly fees?

Each pricing model has its pros and cons, and neither is universally better.
The right choice depends on your situation.
Performance-based pricing may seem attractive if you want to minimize upfront risk, but if your goal is to increase overall site value long-term, a fixed monthly model that allows continuous, comprehensive initiatives is often more suitable.

Q4. Is it okay to hire a freelance SEO consultant?

Yes, it can be a valid option.
If you find a highly skilled freelancer, you may achieve strong results at a lower cost than hiring an agency.
However, assessing skill and reliability can be difficult.
If you choose this route, carefully review past achievements and third-party evaluations, and consider starting with a small project.

Q5. I’ve heard “SEO is outdated.” Is it still necessary?

Calling SEO “outdated” is a major misconception.
While AI and SNS have diversified web marketing methods, people will continue to search when they want information or solutions.
SEO, which ensures your business is discovered in search results, remains a core business strategy and its importance has not diminished.

Conclusion: Find the Right Partner and Accelerate Your Business

In this article, we have covered a wide range of topics, from comparison points for choosing an SEO agency, cost benchmarks, and how to identify unethical providers, to recommended companies by objective.

Selecting an SEO agency is not simply about outsourcing tasks.
It is a critical effort to find a true partner who will work alongside you toward business growth.

Use the points introduced here to identify a reliable company that sincerely addresses your challenges and goals.
With the right partner, succeed in your SEO efforts and take your business to the next level.

Why not start by contacting two or three companies that caught your attention and scheduling free consultations?

Techro Inc. also offers downloadable materials on its SEO consulting services.

If you are responsible for BtoB SEO and facing challenges, we encourage you to take a look.

Free owned media management service materials

We offer a comprehensive support menu and track record, from strategy design to production, operation, and performance measurement.

• Explaining how to launch your own media
• Explaining content marketing
• A must-see for those who want to maximize the effectiveness of their owned media
• And more

Techro Inc. CEO Amano

Studied data science at the National University of Singapore and the Indian Institutes of Technology. Founded a startup as a sophomore in university and operated the study-abroad media platform “Koukanryugaku.com” for about a year and a half before selling the business. Later launched a B2B marketing support business, leveraging expertise in content marketing. Specializes in B2B marketing, with deep knowledge of SEO and marketing automation (MA) tools.

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