I have some big news to share with you.
As many of you know, three and a half years ago, Rand began to shift his role at Moz. He transitioned from CEO into a product architect role where he could focus his passion and have hands-on impact in evolving our tools. Now, over the next 6 to 9 months he will transition into a supporting role as a Moz Associate. He will continue to be a passionate speaker and evangelist, and you'll still see his enthusiastic face in Whiteboard Fridays, on the Moz Blog, and on various conference stages. And of course, he is one of our largest shareholders and will remain Chairman of the Board.
This is hard. Rand started Moz (formerly seomoz.org) over 16 years ago as a blog to record what he was learning about this new field. He and his co-founder Gillian Muessig created a marketing agency that focused on helping websites get found in search. They launched their first SAAS software product in February 2007, and I joined the company nine months later as the 8th employee. We've come a long way. Today, we have over 36,000 customers, 160 team members, a strong values-based culture, great investors, over $42 million in annual revenue last year, and a large and growing community of marketers. So many people have helped us reach this point.
What else is next for Rand? We're excited to find out. His book about the last 16 years at Moz comes out next year.
When you see Rand, please show him gratitude and support. He is an incredibly talented, passionate, and productive individual with a commitment to helping others. I know he's going to continue to make marketing better and spread TAGFEE in all his future roles.
I won't ever be able to think about SEO without also thinking "Howdy, Moz fans!"
Rand, I know we've got quite a while left to work together, but this seems an appropriate time to say I wouldn't be half the employee or the person I am today without your wisdom, inspiration, and support. You're truly one of a kind.
+1000000! Beautifully said Trevor!
I'm new to MOZ and just signed in to evaluate whether I wanted to continue after my 1 month trial. I have a few products for SEO and because i'm new at it - and found them first - i was maybe going to hold off for a few months. But reading this and learning about what a great company of people you are I'm now firmly in. Our company (a popular dental practice in Liverpool, England) prides ourselves on openness, authenticity and almost 'christian values' rather than 'business values'. I believe it makes for a better place to work and is also a MASSIVE selling point in two industries that customers can be frightened and confused by. If you happen to see Rand tell him we're all watching Whiteboard Friday's over here in England and you've all helped us get the search visibility that we deserve.
I got into SEO by reading SEOmoz and watching WBFs (religiously). Rand is a legend!
A true ambassador of our company to the industry, and our industry to the world. We honor you.
Edit: I opted to remove my comment since it wasn't relevant (nor was this the time/place for a silly joke). :)
Wasn't a typo :-) I added the "We honor you" part.
Darn it - I thought I was being super clever! ha!
You were :-)
End of an era. Amazing advocate for SEO for as long as I can remember. All the very best Rand, excited to see what you do next.
Good luck all.
Rand: we've both written many thousands of words about the work we've done together - but it's been a blast. Thank you for bringing us on as associates back in the day - excited to have you join ranks of the associates ;) Good luck with everything that comes next.
Everyone at moz: good luck and shout if you need anything from me, or from Distilled.
Not that my 6th sense wasn't previewing a decision like this from Rand, but still a surprise somehow.
It must have been a tough decision, and surely a deeply long thought and meditated one.
Welcome to the Associate gang, Rand! I look forward to your new adventures :
The Beginner's Guide to SEO was my first exposure to organic digital marketing; Mozcon my first industry conference. Rand, you've touched many lives & helped to shape the face of the online space for the better. The best of luck in the future and welcome to the Associates team!
mmm... a note about the comments: did you have read that Rand will still doing WBF, speak at conferences et al? From some comments it seems as if if it was announced he is living for Mars in the next Elon Musk expedition, and he's clearly not :-)
He still plans on being active in the community. It's a great passion of his. :) Expect to see his enthusiastic face on Whiteboard Fridays. :)
Yup... I understood that... there were others who seemed not.
"Change is inevitable. Growth is intentional." The entire Moz team has always been very intentional and purposeful (at least from an outsider's perspective!) and I have no doubt it will be the same with this -- leading to more growth for Moz, its team, Rand, and probably even the community.
Looking forward to what's to come from you, Rand! Sending an enormous amount of gratitude for the impact your contributions to the industry has had on my career!
Thanks for being a great example for all SEO beginners like me. Your hard work and dedication is simply inspiring!
"Howdy, Moz fans!" will stay with me forever.
Omi Sido
Congratulations on the transition Rand. You and the Moz team have built something that has truly been a fixture in the marketing community for some time now, and I'm confident there's still more brightness to come.
Rand's not only a legend in his own right, but he's been a keystone of integrity for the SEO Industry over the years. I (and many others) will be forever grateful for that.
Cannot thank you enough for all that you do Rand!
Big Hugs!
Could not agree more with this! The integrity that Moz and Rand has held up in the SEO world has earned them so much respect and trust over the years. Thanks for helping "SEO" become less & less of a bad word. :)
Rand - you've played a huge role in my life and a huge role in that of many other marketers. Thank you for all that you've done and I am super excited to see what you do next!
rand, I have learned a lot from you and thank you for all your contributions to the industry. congrats on having founded such a fantastic company. Good luck at whatever you do next.
I wouldn't be doing what I am now with content marketing or SEO without Rand's inspiration and influence. Great to know we can continue to count on new WBF every week, too. Congrats and best of luck!
I'm almost positive that the very first video I saw about SEO was a WBF, and I'll still watch each new one the day its released, as long as I'm in the industry.
Thanks for doing more to educate, entertain, and legitimize the SEO industry than we ever deserved. Rock on.
Once upon a time, way back in early 2009, when I was first started out in SEO, my boss gave me two resources in order to learn SEO: one was an SEO 'bible' by Econsultancy; the other was a link to Moz's blog and the Whiteboard Fridays. I remember watching the WBF videos and thinking: "who is this guy?" And yet 8½ years later, I'm still tuning in.
Rand, I have a bucketload of admiration for you. Not only are you an incredible SEO who has given so much to the SEO community, you've also offered entrepreneurship/startup advice - and I have a ton of respect for you for bravely talking openly about your mental health struggles, a topic I hold close to my heart as I've had those struggles as well (and still do from time to time). And to top it off, you're a great guy. It annoys me when people hate on you... Fair enough if they hate on Moz to an extent (you can't please everyone, and a product/brand/website can only offer so much), but when it gets personal it really irritates the heck out of me. But "haters gonna hate" I guess - the majority of them are probably just jealous anyway...
I really look forward to reading the book, and I really hope to meet you IRL one day (I've wanted to come over to MozCon for years now, but something always gets in the way each year - babies, mostly)! And most of all, I'm really excited to see what you get up to in the future. Godspeed, buddy... If anyone deserves success, it's you. Hands-down.
I never knew of the mental health side of things. Just Googled it and found the Mostly Human segment on CNN. I'm intrigued.
Yeah, he's blogged about it a few times over on his personal blog (moz.com/rand). I won't share the direct links here as it feels a bit insensitive and would detract from this post, but they're there if you want to read them. I can't admire him enough for putting it out there.
Nice work Rand! Sixteen years, 36,000 customers, amazing.
I look for you every Friday morning on Whiteboard Friday. Glad you will still be there.
Imagine Apple without Steve Jobs, I wish the Moz magic lives on forever, for it has been the greatest name I would refer to when it comes to preaching and practicing ethical SEO practices.
Here's wishing the Wizard of Moz adieu.
Much Respect Rand. I bet we will see you just as often!
Good luck with everything, Rand. You deserve all your success (and a break, if you're taking one)!
A huge influence to so many!
In the words of Calvin & Hobbes..."It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ol’ buddy…Let’s go exploring!"
All the best for the next adventure Rand!
Moz and Rand especially really kick started my SEO career, I hope he continues to feature in the SEO conversations of the future.
Thanks for all your hard work and insight so far and thanks for what I hope will be much more in the future
Rand was one of the first household names I learned when I started in SEO. Thank you for being an exemplary evangelist for the industry.
Rand, is probably one of the main reasons why I am, where I am today. From SEOMoz to MOZ, I have followed and used his advice religiously. His furvent enthusiam for the subject has rubbed off and kept me coming back for more. Good luck to Rand for the future. Looking forward to many more fun filled WBF's going forward :)
Rand has been the cornerstone to much of the industry's growth over the last 16 years. I joined SEOmoz in 2007 when I started in this industry, and he's delivered nothing but value—through his personal blog, issues-based involvement, immense knowledge in the community, etc.
Thanks for all you've done thus far, Rand, and I wish you nothing but happiness and opportunity (as I'm sure you'll have) moving forward with whatever you do.
do what you love doing and you will never "work" another day in your life.
Godspeed into your new role Rand! You passion and pursuit for sharing valuable info on SEO has changed a lot of people's lives for the better. Best of success to you and keep doing awesome things
As long as I've been in SEO, I've been familiar with the name 'Rand Fishkin'.
On one hand this seems so sad and the end of an era, but on the other I'm sure you have more incredible things to come that will allow you to share even more value with the world.
I imagine it's going to be pretty emotional to read all of these comments, Rand, so I just wanted to say thanks for all you've done. Thanks for letting me email you with annoying questions. Thanks for sharing my work sometimes when others wouldn't, and thanks for being you.
Best of luck with whatever your next venture is.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!
PS: Is this leaving also mean the end of WBF?
Whiteboard Friday will live on! You will still see Rand's face there. And we'll continue to feature other guest hosts as well. :)
GREAT!
Please update that article with this statement. Please.
It's already in there, Peter!
"He will continue to be a passionate speaker and evangelist, and you'll still see his enthusiastic face in Whiteboard Fridays, on the Moz Blog, and on various conference stages. And of course, he is one of our largest shareholders and will remain Chairman of the Board."
Sorry about that. Now i see it.
Hi Rand,
I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks for everything you have done over the years (and continue to do) to help build our community.
While we haven't formally met, I can say that you have greatly influenced my career and personal growth for close to a decade.
Not only have you helped me to become a better marketer, but through your actions in the community you have mentored me from afar on how to be a better leader and person. To be honest, it's tough to even put it into words in a comment field... just doesn't do it justice.
Thank you again for everything and it is great to hear that you will still be here in the community going forward.
The constant shade thrown at you in black hat forums proves you are among the SEO elite. Thanks for all the knowledge and thanks for making the web a better-looking place for all of us!
The seo community just wouldn't be the same without Rand. Looking forward to future whiteboard fridays!
This is indeed hard. A true ambassador of SEO,
It's really an era of changes as we see search marketing icons like Rand and Larry Kim departing from the league after sharing knowledge for more than a decade. "Howdy Mozfans" used to bring that weekend smiles on our faces. We'll surely miss you. Follow your heart and Good luck for all your future endeavors.
I hope you keep writing a Rold my English is not good but effort to learn thanks to your articles and the truth is that they serve me a lot. I hope to continue learning from you.
Best of luck with the next great adventures you have lined up Rand! The beginner's guide to SEO has always been a "day 1" learning document I give to any new staff, and it's the same document that got me started. This community appreciates everything you've done for the field.
Upward and onward Rand!
We continue to learn from you as your role develops.
Please keep writing.
-Yair
Rand,
Thank you for all that you have contributed to the SEO industry. Over your years at Moz, you have imparted a wealth of invaluable tips and information, many of which I have incorporated into my own work methods. Your articles have taught me more about SEO than any class ever could, and I am grateful for your knowledge. I want to personally thank you for sharing your wisdom, and I wish you luck wherever your future may take you.
I know it's pretty repetitive at this point but I still want to share it:
- my first contact with SEO was a WBF with Rand at SEOmoz
- it made a lasting impression
- I always happily returned for great content and will continue doing so
Thanks Rand, stay TAGFEE!
Rand, you've been an inspiration to me and many on becoming involved in this industry. All the best.
We Influence
It seems that many of us relate SEO with Rand almost as an impulse, what many don't know is all the struggles that Rand has gone through, some have been publicized and some kept behind the scenes.
Whatever the case may be I myself am moved and sad to say goodbye to Rand. I know this is not the end but for some reason, it feels like it.
Wishing you always the best Rand!
Always happy to see your legendary hairstyle at WBFs! Glad you're staying at Moz, no matter what role. Cheers, Martin
Working with Rand has to be wonderful!
If only reading you learn a lot of things ... You are all great professionals and thanks to everyone Moz has become what it is
Keep it up guys !!
Good luck with any new ventures Rand from Mazepress
Happy to hear that you will still star in your WBFs. Hope you will enjoy some additional free time!
I know, personally I wouldn't even be in SEO if it weren't for the MOZ beginners guide, and furthermore for Rand being so accessible via twitter/email. When I think of SEO, Rand is the guy I point to as the "famous one."
Incredible, heartfelt thanks to you man. You literally gave life to my career (to think i was in micro-genetics before this). I credit you and Bret Dennis for giving me SEO, and I can seriously never thank you enough.
Good Luck, Rand. Thank you for all the content you contributed.
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany.
Hans
Thank you, Rand for everything you have done for the industry. Excited to see what the next chapter brings.
Rand is a living legend of the digital marketing world. Whenever I think of SEO, it invariably conjures up images of Rand's smiles and his mustaches. Never thought SEO and Mustaches would be semantically so close but well, let's just blame it on Rand. :)
The point is Rand is an incredibly adorable individual whether it's about inbound marketing or feminism. I just want him to succeed in everything he does.
To say Rand is my SEO inspiration would be a cliché, but I just want to take this moment to share my gratitude.
All the best, Rand! Keep on spreading love and stay awesome!
Hugs,
SOOOOO grateful to Moz and Rand's contributions. Rand, Mullenweg, Brin, Page and similar web innovators made and preserve what's awesome about the internet. Thank you for sharing and creating great stuff and making an awesome and ever improving product.
Hard to think of the fact of Moz without Rand. Over the years we all have been used to reading his blog post and eagerly looking forward to each weekend so that we can watch his video. He has contributed quite a lot of knowledge and helped several SEO's including myself gain quite a lot of SEO knowledge which is not available elsewhere.
I look forward to reading Rand's book as soon as it is available on Amazon.
Once again I want to thank Rand for sharing a lot of knowledge with all of us and wishing him all the best for the future.
Words can't express how much Rand has changed my life, best of luck on your next adventure. Don't forget to take a little vacation.
Best of luck Rand in your new role!
Delighted that you will be keeping up the legendary Whiteboard Fridays! It has become an integral part of my weekly routine, equally as important as breakfast!!
I'm sure your new road will be an amazing journey.
Good luck Rand.
Is the natural process of the life and the business, the requirements to manage a startup are completely different of a well established company.
Good luck
I appreciate Rand's time and help at Moz. He has contributed so much knowledge.
All the best to you, Rand. I'm thankful you'll still be an on-stage, on-whiteboard presence. Like many of the others speaking here, I've learned so much from you. And I know you have so much more to teach. Wishing you nothing but the best in your new adventure.
Good luck with the next stage, Rand and thanks for helping get my SEO career off the ground. It has proved to be the best career move I ever made and you were instrumental in making it successful.