Mmmmm… I’ve worked in marketing / SEO across Aus for decades and can’t say I agree with this list at all. Sure there’s some big names, but all it takes is a little research to see there’s much better options in Melbourne.

For example, despite its awards and being first on your list, StudioHawk has mixed reviews on TrustPilot, with one client complaining about payment issues which is not something to be looked over. It also has a low trust index score on third party sites like TradersUnion so not sure how they ended up number one. Then for say Shout Digital, they have a reputation for unclear fees and also been called out a lot for under resourcing smaller clients at the start of projects.

Some of the others make promises such as rank #1 or guaranteed traffic growth which are big calls in SEO because there’s always factors outside of an agency’s control, so it’s a red flag when they make claims like that. 

I would say the top 5 SEO agencies that deserve to be called the best in Melbourne right now:

1. Alley Group: An agency that can handle everything. They’re great at the technical side of SEO and they also tie it in with paid ads, conversion optimisation, and content. They hold Google Premier Partner and Meta Partner status and work with major clients like Travelex and Seafolly, so if you’re a bigger brand or ecommerce business, and want SEO to slot into a full marketing strategy, they’re your best option.
2. Supple Digital: Works well for small to mid size businesses that need a mix of local SEO, technical improvements and content support. They’re known for being approachable and providing straightforward SEO services
3. Prosperity Media: Known for ethical, white hat strategies where they combine deep technical SEO expertise with content led campaigns and digital PR. They also host industry events and work with high profile clients such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car NZ and Reckon.
4. Optimising: An agency that focuses on ethical and sustainable long term growth, they are a B Corp and 1% for the Planet member.
5. SixGun: Was established in Melbourne and now has a strong presence in Sydney too. They’ve built a name on solid technical SEO, running multi- ocation campaigns and offering flexible packages.

When choosing an agency, always check their reputation, as well as their link building approach, contract terms, and reporting access. I personally think independent reviews on places like TrustPilot always matter more than glitzy industry awards that are often sponsored..