Top 100 Search Marketing Agencies in Chicago

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Top 100 Search Marketing Agencies in Chicago

April 2023

Looking for a top search engine marketing consultant in Chicago?

SEM is a valuable way to promote your service and grow your business.

To assist you in your search for a partner, we’ve compiled this list of the top search marketing agencies in Chicago. 

Jump to Most Reviewed Companies

List of the Best Chicago Search Engine Marketing Consultants

  • 1
    • Scheduling

      4.8
    • Quality

      4.7
    • Cost

      4.5
    • NPS

      4.7
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $1,000+
    • 50 - 249 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Formed in 1997, Straight North is a full-service internet marketing company specializing in SEO, PPC, website design and development, email marketing, and graphic design. With 100+ full-time, in-house employees, they help B2B and B2C companies of all sizes generate sales leads and e-commerce revenue in the lucrative but highly competitive online marketing space. They offer a collaborative business style, technical expertise, deep experience in multiple verticals, team-based campaign execution, transparent reporting, and an unwavering focus on maximizing their clients' ROI.

    Clients

    • Keyence
    • Conduent
    • Donnelly Financial Solutions
    • Clover Network

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Straight North has been hired by a global systems integrator for PPC support. The team is tasked with managing the client's Google Ads account. The goal is to reduce the CPA rate and increase market share.

    "We're impressed with the consistency of their work."

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  • 2
    • $1,000+
    • 50 - 249 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Digital Authority is a digital marketing agency. Established in 2016, the company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Their services include SEO, PPC, Web Design, and Digital Marketing.

    Clients

    • Omron Healthcare
    • Dickson Data
    • Sanctuary Clothing
    • Geode Health

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Digital Authority Partners provides digital marketing services for a CVM platform, including website content creation, SEO, SMM, pop-ups, and analytics. They also help with messaging and value proposition.

    “They’ve delivered what we’ve asked for.”

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  • 3
    • Scheduling

      4.9
    • Quality

      4.9
    • Cost

      4.7
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $1,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    NextLeft, founded in 2016, is a digital content marketing and SEO agency. The company’s mission is to rid the world of digital clutter by creating the helpful, relevant content people are searching for online. Headquartered in sunny San Diego, NextLeft's team of 14 full-time SEO & Content Strategists amplify the world’s most loved brands.

    Clients

    • Hallmark Inc.
    • Fiskars Inc.
    • United Van Lines
    • Mayflower

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Looking to raise their Google search rankings, a senior living management company has hired NextLeft for their SEO services. The team conducts website enhancements and creates blog posts.

    "They work well with us and guide us throughout the process."

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  • 4
    • $10,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Comrade Digital Marketing is a Chicago-based full service digital marketing agency with a staff of 20. Since 2008, Comrade Digital Marketing Agency has assisted clients with SEO, web design, and e-commerce development.

    Clients

    • eCommerce
    • law firms
    • local service providers
    • manufacturing companies

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Comrade Digital Marketing Agency has developed a site for a law firm. They’ve also created logos, patterns, and color schemes, and continue to write copy for the site.

    “They’re great communicators and quick to respond to our ideas; they’ve been great to work with.”

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  • 5
    • Scheduling

      5.0
    • Quality

      4.9
    • Cost

      4.8
    • NPS

      4.9
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $5,000+
    • 50 - 249 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    JumpFly is a PPC management agency headquartered outside of Chicago in Elgin, IL. JumpFly designs, implements, and manages Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, and LinkedIn Advertising accounts for small and mid-market businesses. Founded in 1998, JumpFly now has a team of about 40 employees and over two decades of experience in the paid search industry.

    Clients

    • 1-800-Got-Junk?
    • Jura
    • NuWave
    • TY

    Industries

    Notable Project

    JumpFly provides SEO and PPC services for a garden auger company. The team is revamping the firm’s website content and handles their PPC campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, and Google, among other platforms. 

    “Their members do whatever it takes to make something happen.”

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  • 6
    • Undisclosed
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Since its founding in 2007, Digital Third Coast Internet Marketing has established itself as a leading digital marketing agency in Chicago. The team of 16 specializes in SEO, PPC to enhance the inbound marketing of working with its small, mid-market, and enterprise clients.

    Clients

    • AccuRadio
    • Kendall College
    • Chicago Line Cruises
    • Envista Forensics

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Digital Third Coast is a machinery brokerage’s digital marketing partner. They are managing the client’s SEO and PPC campaigns. They're doing keyword research, link building, and ads on Google and Bing.

    "We’re a small company that’s fighting a much bigger fish — thanks to DTC, we’re winning."

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  • 7
    • Undisclosed
    • 250 - 999 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Digital marketing agency Rise Interactive is headquartered in Chicago. The team of nearly 275 employees specializes in SEO, PPC, social media, email, and content marketing. They were founded in 2004 and mostly work with businesses in the consumer products, healthcare, financial services, and retail industries.

    Clients

    • ULTA Beauty
    • Navistar
    • Stanley Steemer

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Rise Interactive managed a paid search program for an academic retailer. They built campaigns based on different schools, products, and sports teams, and enhanced impact tracking with an attribution platform.

    “Rise did a good job of connecting the dots for us when it comes to financial impact.”

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  • 8
    • Scheduling

      5.0
    • Quality

      5.0
    • Cost

      4.6
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $5,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Founded in 2016, Chicago-based VisualFizz is a small team of 9. The full-service digital marketing agency helps clients with content marketing, SEO, web design and development, PPC, social media marketing, digital and marketing strategy, and branding.

    Industries

    Notable Project

    VisualFizz provided SEO and PPC services for a nonprofit organization. After understanding the business industry, the team began with the company's website campaigns, optimizations, and maintenance.

    Their professionalism, responsiveness, and expertise were impressive.

    Visit Site
  • 9
    • Scheduling

      4.9
    • Quality

      4.8
    • Cost

      4.8
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $1,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Founded in 2006, OneIMS is a results-driven digital marketing firm in Chicago. Its team of more than 30 manages the inbound marketing process for its clients, with special emphasis on SEO, PPC, digital strategy, conversion optimization, and content marketing. 

    Clients

    • Samsung
    • Costco
    • Sears
    • Kmart

    Industries

    Notable Project

    OneIMS provided social media marketing, PPC, SEO, copywriting, and content writing for a flooring manufacturer. In order to stay current, they constantly optimize keywords and analyze opportunities for growth.

    "They have brought us from zero inbound marketing through our website to beating all of our competition."

    Visit Site
  • 10
    • Undisclosed
    • 50 - 249 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Founded in 2001, Walker Sands is a full-service B2B marketing agency dedicated to each client's unique goals. From their offices in Chicago, San Francisco, or Seattle, Walker Sands' team of 135 has various areas of expertise, including SEO, web design, PPC, content marketing, and strategy. They also help clients with public relations, demand generation, branding, creative, marketing strategy, and web.

    Clients

    • Entrust
    • Paylocity
    • Hub Group
    • Ensono

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Walker Sands overhauled an existing website, updating the content and moving it to a WordPress platform. They also provide ongoing SEO support and strategy. 

    "The ultimate value of working with them is that they are a trusted advisor for me."

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  • 11
    • $10,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Founded in 2006, Logical Media Group is a full-service digital marketing agency crafting digital experiences for people and companies to transact, connect, and explore. The Chicago-based team, whose original core competency was in generating qualified website traffic through search engine marketing, with a specialization in PPC and SEO, now has specific teams tailored towards other online channels such as Amazon Advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, display advertising, and conversion rate optimization.

    Clients

    • Vienna Beef
    • Fresh Wave
    • Learning Resources
    • Protein2o

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Logical Media Group provided SEO and digital marketing campaigns. This included paid search ads with Google, Bing, Facebook, and Instagram. They also worked with performance reporting. 

    "They should be proud in how hard they work to meet our demands."

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  • 12
    • $1,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Located in Chicago, Ill., Marcel Digital is a digital marketing and web development agency that has been assisting clients since 2003. Their team of 30 specialize in SEO, web development, and PPC.Marcel Digital's efforts resulted in measurable growth, including increased online orders, contact form submissions, and newsletter signups. 

    Clients

    • John Hopkins Medicine
    • Lennox
    • Rush University Medical Center
    • Herbalife

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Marcel Digital manages the SEO and SEM efforts for an academic health center. They also advise the client about CRO on their website and manage their PPC campaigns on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google.

    “They’re dependable and always have the client in their best interests.”

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  • 13
    • Scheduling

      4.9
    • Quality

      4.9
    • Cost

      4.9
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $10,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    1o8 is a digital agency founded in Chicago in 2018. The team of 8 focuses on social media, SEO, and digital strategy for their midmarket consumer products clients. 

    Clients

    • O-Cedar
    • Sweet Leaf Tea
    • Undone Beauty
    • Daily Crunch Snacks

    Industries

    Notable Project

    A packaged goods company hired 1o8 to develop their brand identity and positioning. They're tasked with creating tag lines, performing data and market research, and designing the client's packaging.

    "I really appreciate how hands-on and creative they are."

    Visit Site
  • 14
    • $5,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Content marketing company Pilot Digital Marketing was established in 2009. The small Chicago, Illinois-based team specializes in content marketing, conversion optimization, pay per click, search engine optimization, and more.

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Pilot Digital Marketing has redesigned a website to boost overall functionality and design, with the primary new feature being online quizzes about safety and security. 

    "They are trustworthy, work hard, know their stuff, and are good people.

    Visit Site
  • 15
    • Scheduling

      4.9
    • Quality

      4.9
    • Cost

      4.7
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $10,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Digital agency Arcalea was founded in 2015 and has offices in Chicago, Charlotte, N.C., Denver, and Indianapolis. Its team of 12 helps clients with web development, SEO, email marketing, content marketing, web design, and PPC.

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Arcalea provides marketing services. They first analyzed the company's performance in comparison to its competitors. They now do keyword research and help the client with their PPC campaigns on Google Ads.

    "Arcalea is very good at what they do."

    Visit Site
  • 16
    • Scheduling

      5.0
    • Quality

      5.0
    • Cost

      4.9
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $10,000+
    • 2 - 9 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Founded in 2013, 97 Switch is a Chicago-based digital marketing agency that helps clients adapt to the constantly changing digital marketplace. Despite having a small team of fewer than 10 employees, 97 Switch provides a variety of services such as web design, SEO, PPC, social media, and content marketing.

    Clients

    • theWit Hotel in Chicago
    • Cardinal Investment Advisors
    • Option Hotline
    • SMASHotels

    Industries

    Notable Project

    97 Switch has designed a new website and branding for a recently created investment company. Now, they create and post content on the site and LinkedIn, executing an ongoing marketing strategy for the client.

    “97 Switch has performed very well, and they’re very responsive.”

    Visit Site
  • 17
    • $1,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    SearchLab is a marketing agency based in Chicago. Founded in 2015, the team of 11 specializes in PPC, SEO, conversion optimization, digital strategy, and web design. They work primarily with small businesses, focusing on consumer products and services, financial services, healthcare, and medical. 

     

    Industries

    Notable Project

    SearchLab has redesigned and optimized a web platform to differentiate it from competitors and attract clients. They also coordinate with the internal marketing team to craft SEO and PPC campaigns.

    "They do what they say they are going to do, not just quickly but also completely."

    Visit Site
  • 18
    • Scheduling

      4.6
    • Quality

      5.0
    • Cost

      4.8
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $5,000+
    • 50 - 249 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    BuildThis is a website design and support company based in Chicago. Founded in 2012, the team of 15 specializes in web design & development, custom software development, and UX/UI design.

     

    Clients

    • BuildThis works with small to medium sized businesses in varying industries. We work with small
    • 'mom and pop' shops and enterprises such as Motorola Solutions
    • Comed
    • and Sunkist – and everything in between!

    Industries

    Notable Project

    StickOutSocial created an MVP platform, performing both frontend and backend development. The team added key functionalities, including schedule tables, search options, and responsive UI/UX.

    "Their staff is intelligent and has the ability to take on an industry they aren't well versed in..."

    Visit Site
  • 19
    • $1,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Verbsz Marketing is a small SEO services firm. Established in 2017, the team provides search engine optimization, digital strategy, social media marketing, content marketing, and more. The agency is in Herndon, Virginia.

    Clients

    • IDEAKOKO
    • Ticket Here
    • Gymsportz
    • We Junk It

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Verbsz Marketing was hired by an IT company to optimize their website, manage their Google and LinkedIn ads, and keep them up to date on the latest trends for IT services and the IT industry.

    "They are knowledgeable about IT industry marketing."

    Visit Site
  • 20
    • Scheduling

      4.8
    • Quality

      4.8
    • Cost

      4.8
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $50,000+
    • 250 - 999 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    3Q Digital is a digital marketing and strategic consulting agency headquartered in San Mateo, Calif. with additional offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Burlington, Vt., Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, N.C. Their staff consists of over 250 experts in SEO, social media marketing, and analytics.

    Clients

    • Eventbrite
    • SurveyMonkey
    • ModCloth
    • Square

    Notable Project

    3Q Digital provided SEO and SEM for an online hunting and outdoors retail store. In addition, they worked to get the company unbanned from Google in order to advertise on the search engine.

    "They go above and beyond to showcase the work they do ... They’re constantly innovating and moving their teams forward."

    Visit Site
  • 21
    • Scheduling

      5.0
    • Quality

      5.0
    • Cost

      5.0
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $5,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    KAT is a Chicago-based marketing agency founded in 2020. With a team of more than 10 experts, they deliver SEO solutions, PPC ads, and social media marketing solutions for small businesses in the industries of legal services, e-commerce, and health care.
     

    Clients

    • Abramovitch Blalock & McKinnon LLC

    Industries

    Notable Project

    KAT developed a new website for a law firm. They also run digital marketing efforts including SEO and PPC campaigns focused on keyword research and paid advertising. 

    "Their passion for their work and determination to see results means they give their all to each client."

    Visit Site
  • 22
    • $5,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    SEO agency Sixth City Marketing is based in Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Rocky River, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They specialize in search engine optimization, pay per click, web design, content marketing, and more and were founded in 2010.

    Clients

    • TYKMA Electrox
    • Kent State University
    • Dillon Manufacturing
    • Valco Valley Tool & Die

    Industries

    Visit Site
  • 23
    • $1,000+
    • 2 - 9 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Zen Anchor Digital is an SEO, SMM, and PPC agency based in Chicago. Founded in 2013, their team of around three employees specializes in serving health, education, and insurance companies.

    Clients

    • Aligned Modern Health
    • Metis
    • Integrative Nutrition
    • Bulletproof Training Institute

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Zen Anchor Digital spearheaded a paid advertising campaign over Google and Facebook for a marketing agency. They also fronted a lead nurturing campaign for customers not currently ready to invest.

    "At all times, I'm confident that they're making the best decisions for the company."

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  • 24
    • $10,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Thunder::tech is an advertising company in Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. The agency offers advertising, search engine optimization, web design, branding, and more and has a small team.The agency was established in 1999.

    Clients

    • Big Fig Mattress
    • John Carroll University
    • Cohen & Company
    • Destination Cleveland

    Industries

    Notable Project

    thunder::tech provides a wide variety of services for a safety traffic equipment company. They produce videos, design the firm’s website, handle SEO, and create digital marketing strategies for the client. 

    “I’m impressed with their wide range of capabilities."

    Visit Site
  • 25
    • $10,000+
    • 2 - 9 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Ice Nine Online is a Chicago-based digital marketing agency that specializes in web design, PPC and SEO. Founded in 2014, Ice Nine Online offers a suite of research, marketing, and branding services as well as digital marketing training.  A team of fewer than 9 employees, Ice Nine Online works primarily with small and mid-size companies.

    Clients

    • CVS
    • 2XL Corporation
    • Cars.com
    • Jackson Dearborn Partners

    Notable Project

    Ice Nine Online revamped organic and paid search strategies. They integrated the site with WooCommerce. The team solves issues with Google Analytics and Ads accounts. They direct SEO, SMM, and PPC efforts.

    "Their Google Ads, SEO, and SEM efforts have done exceptionally well."

    Visit Site
  • 26
    • Scheduling

      4.9
    • Quality

      4.9
    • Cost

      4.9
    • NPS

      4.9
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $1,000+
    • 2 - 9 employees
    • Elmhurst, IL

    CyberOptik, a web design agency, was established in 2002. Their small team is based in Elmhurst, Illinois. The company specializes in web design, web development, and ux/ui design.

    Industries

    Notable Project

    CyberOptik was hired by a strategy consulting firm for website design and development services. After determining the scope, they built a site advertising the client's services and end-client experiences.

    "They were very well organized at every step."

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  • 27
    • $5,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Founded in 2009 as a search agency, Be Found Online has since developed into a full-service digital marketing agency. Based in Chicago, the company also has locations in London and Singapore, with a total team of more than 70 people. BFO's main focus is on SEO and PPC, but it also does social media marketing, conversion optimization, and content marketing.

    Industries

    Notable Project

    BFO provided SEO management and digital marketing. Their team also worked on PPC, organic marketing, and paid advertising. The work was done for an online education company. 

    "The subject matter expertise was impressive."

    Visit Site
  • 28
    • $10,000+
    • 2 - 9 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Simple Machines Marketing is a Chicago-based marketing company founded in 2012. Their 9-person team offers services in digital strategy, marketing strategy, content marketing, and more.
     

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Simple Machines Marketing helps a nonprofit with its rebranding and marketing efforts. The team has also provided web development by integrating Google Analytics and eTapestry into the client's website.

    "Simple Machines Marketing has just been a great partner overall."

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  • 29
    • Scheduling

      4.6
    • Quality

      4.8
    • Cost

      4.4
    • NPS

      5.0
    Read Full Reviews on Clutch Visit Site
    • $25,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    Ethervision is a Chicago-based mobile app boutique. A handful of their projects were App Store originals back in 2008, and they have developed 180+ apps since. The company has 4 employees, and they focus on mobile app development, UX/UI design, and wearable app development.

    Clients

    • AON
    • Pacific Life
    • Chicago Tribune
    • Whirlpool

    Industries

    Notable Project

    Ethervision developed a proposal for an app, including sample code and designs, first touch information architectures, their project planning methodology, and the documentation associated with it.

    "I was very impressed with Ethervision – the portfolio and the knowledge they had."

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  • 30
    • $5,000+
    • 10 - 49 employees
    • Chicago, IL

    This Chicago-based digital marketing agency was founded in 2012. This 40-person team specializes in web design, social media marketing, and SEO, with additional capabilities in graphic design, content marketing, and digital strategy.

    Clients

    • OWC
    • SkyRoad
    • Kroeschell
    • The John Buck Company

    Notable Project

    SoMe Connect assisted a digital agency in providing PPC advertising services. They focused on ad copy and improving conversion by increasing leads and decreasing cost-per-acquisition.

    "They’re actually nice, fun people to work with, which can be pretty hard to find."

    Visit Site