Does Ben Stace speak at SEO events? If you’ve been asking this question, I was right there with you.
His name kept coming up in conversations with other SEO professionals, and I wanted to know—is he actively speaking at conferences, or does he prefer staying behind the scenes?
After looking into his speaking schedule and talking to people who’ve attended his sessions, here’s the answer: yes, Ben Stace speaks at SEO events regularly, and tickets to his talks sell out fast.
Does Ben Stace Speak at SEO Events? [Confirmed Answer]
Quick Answer: Yes, Ben Stace actively speaks at major SEO conferences including CMSEO (November 10-14, 2025), Ubud SEO and Business, BrightonSEO, and SMX Advanced. He focuses on semantic SEO and topical authority.
What sets him apart from other speakers? Here’s why.
This guy runs an actual agency called Eleven Bananas. He’s built real tools that SEO professionals actually pay for. And he’s been in this game since 1998—which means he was doing SEO before most of us even knew what a search engine was.
Here’s what I found out about his speaking career and why so many people are curious about him.
Who Exactly Is Ben Stace?
Before we get into where he speaks, let’s talk about who we’re dealing with here.
Ben’s not some random guy who took an SEO course last year and now calls himself an expert. He’s been doing this for 27 years. That’s longer than Google has existed in its current form.
He started back in 1998. Think about that for a second. That was the era of keyword stuffing and buying links from sketchy directories. Ben has seen every trend, every algorithm update, and every “guru” come and go.
What He’s Actually Built
Here’s where it gets interesting. Ben founded Eleven Bananas, and it’s not a one-person show. He’s got a team of 12+ people working on some seriously competitive niches: health, law, gaming, tech. These aren’t easy markets to rank in.
But the cool part? He’s also created tools that regular people can use:
Power Topics is his main thing. It’s basically a roadmap for building topical authority. Instead of randomly writing blog posts and hoping something ranks, you map out your entire topic coverage. Smart, right?
Semantic SEO Writer came out before a lot of the AI tools we see today. It focuses on how search engines actually understand content, not just keyword density like the old-school tools.
Semantic Scan helps you figure out what’s missing in your content. Like having a second pair of eyes that actually knows SEO.
His Credentials Are Legit
Ben wrote two books that people in the semantic SEO world actually reference:
- “Semantic SEO”
- “Topical Map SEO: How to Create a Topical Map”
Now here’s something that impressed me: Ben was personally trained by Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR. If you’re deep in SEO circles, you know that name. Koray is basically the godfather of semantic SEO. Ben was the second person Koray ever trained privately, and the first person to successfully use Koray’s methods outside of Koray’s own projects.
That’s like being hand-picked by a master chef to learn their secret recipes.
Oh, and Ben manages affiliate partnerships for over 200 newspaper websites globally. That’s not small-time stuff. That’s enterprise-level SEO.
If you’re curious about his background and methods, you can read my full piece about Ben Stace.
So Does Ben Actually Speak at Events?
Alright, let’s answer the main question: does Ben Stace speak at SEO events?
Short answer: Yes, absolutely.
Longer answer: He’s selective about it.
Ben doesn’t do every small meetup or random webinar. He focuses on events where people are serious about learning, not just collecting swag bags and taking selfies.
What I find refreshing about his speaking style is that he doesn’t use a ton of jargon. Like, instead of saying “semantic entity disambiguation through vector space modeling,” he’ll explain it like organizing books in a library. Related books go on the same shelf so people can find what they need.
Makes sense, right?
That’s probably why conference organizers keep bringing him back. People actually understand what he’s saying, and they can use it right away.
Where You Can Actually See Him Speak
If you’re trying to catch Ben at an event, here’s where he’s been showing up lately.
2024 Appearances
CMSEO Conference 2024 in Chiang Mai was a big one. CMSEO has become the spot where serious semantic SEO folks gather. Not kidding, the 2024 event sold out in less than 24 hours. Ben’s session was apparently packed.
Kuşadası SEO & Business Mastermind 2024 in Turkey was more intimate. This wasn’t thousands of people in a convention center. It was a smaller group really digging into implementation. The kind of event where you actually get to talk to speakers, not just listen from row 47.
What’s Coming in 2025
Ubud SEO and Business 2025 in Bali is on the schedule. If you’ve never been to Bali, it’s a pretty amazing place for a conference. Plus, the SEO crowd there is legit.
CMSEO 2025 runs November 10-14 in Chiang Mai. Based on how fast past events filled up, you’ll want to grab tickets early if you’re interested.
His Conference History
Ben’s spoken at some heavy-hitter events over the years:
- BrightonSEO (huge UK conference)
- SMX Advanced (the technical SEO crowd)
- MozCon (Moz’s annual gathering)
- SearchLove (Distilled’s conference)
- Content Marketing World
These aren’t small local meetups. These are events that draw thousands of marketers from around the world.
The reason people keep inviting him? His sessions actually help. You walk out with strategies you can test, not just inspiration that wears off by Monday.
What Ben Actually Talks About
When Ben takes the stage, what does he cover?
Let me break down the topics he’s known for.
Semantic SEO and Topical Authority
This is Ben’s main thing, and honestly, it makes so much sense once you get it.
Here’s the idea: Google doesn’t just look at keywords anymore. It tries to understand topics and how they relate to each other.
Think about it like this. Say you run a travel blog about Thailand. You could write one article about “best beaches in Thailand” and call it a day. But Google doesn’t really see you as a Thailand travel expert based on one article.
Now imagine you also write about:
- How to get a Thai visa
- Bangkok street food guide
- Island hopping in Southern Thailand
- Thai culture and etiquette tips
- Best time to visit Thailand
- Budget breakdown for Thailand travel
Suddenly, you’re not just someone who wrote about beaches. You’re building a network of content that shows real expertise.
That’s topical authority. And Ben teaches exactly how to build it systematically.
The Power Topics Approach
Power Topics is Ben’s framework, and it’s probably what he’s most known for these days.
Instead of guessing what to write next, you map out your entire topic landscape. It’s like creating a blueprint before building a house.
Let’s say you’re in the gardening niche. Power Topics would help you identify not just obvious stuff like “how to plant tomatoes,” but also:
- Soil pH for different vegetables
- Companion planting strategies
- Pest control without chemicals
- Seasonal planting calendars
- Composting basics
- Garden tool maintenance
Each piece connects to the others. You’re building what Ben calls a “semantic content network.”
The beauty is, you’re not competing for one keyword. You’re becoming the go-to resource for an entire topic.
AI and SEO (The Practical Stuff)
Ben’s realistic about AI. He’s not one of those people claiming AI will replace writers or that you should never use it.
His take? AI is a tool. Use it smart.
At his recent talks, he’s shown how his Semantic SEO Writer uses AI to help with entity recognition and semantic relationships. But the key is keeping your content useful and unique.
I appreciate that he doesn’t just hype up AI or completely dismiss it. He shows practical ways to use it without sacrificing quality.
Building Content Networks That Actually Work
This is where Ben gets into the technical side, but he keeps it understandable.
He teaches you how to:
- Structure your website so topics connect logically
- Use internal links to show relationships between content
- Create content clusters that support main pages
- Signal expertise through comprehensive coverage
Think of your website like a spider web, not a list. Everything connects. Search engines can easily crawl from one piece of content to related pieces.
That structure matters more than most people realize.
Schema Markup (Without the Headache)
Ben covers schema markup regularly, which is basically code that helps search engines understand your content better.
This includes things like:
- FAQ schema for question-and-answer content
- Local Business schema if you have a physical location
- Product schema for e-commerce sites
- Article schema for blog posts
Proper schema can get you into those rich results you see on Google. Featured snippets, knowledge panels, the “People Also Ask” boxes. All that good stuff.
Getting Into Featured Snippets
Speaking of featured snippets, Ben has specific tactics for targeting them.
His approach is simple: structure your content clearly. Answer questions directly. Use proper heading tags.
For example, if someone searches “how long does SEO take,” don’t bury your answer in paragraph four. Put it right up front in a clear format.
Google loves pulling that kind of structured information into featured snippets.
The Tools Ben Brings to His Sessions
One thing that sets Ben apart is that he doesn’t just talk theory. He shows actual tools you can use.
Power Topics: Your Authority Roadmap
Power Topics isn’t just a concept. It’s a real tool you can access.
Say you run a fitness blog. You’ve written about weight loss, but Power Topics might show you’re missing:
- How sleep affects weight loss
- Stress and cortisol’s role in fat storage
- Meal timing strategies
- Recovery and rest days
- Psychology of habit formation
Each gap is a chance to strengthen your authority.
Semantic SEO Writer: Content That Makes Sense
This tool was ahead of its time when Ben launched it. It focuses on semantic relationships, not just hitting keyword counts.
It helps you:
- Identify relevant entities to include
- Match search intent properly
- Build better internal link structures
- Score your content’s semantic relevance
It’s like having an SEO expert review your draft before you hit publish.
Real Results People Are Getting
Ben shares actual case studies at his talks, and the numbers are pretty solid:
A SaaS company used his topical mapping and got 54% more traffic in four months.
An online store followed his semantic approach and saw conversions jump 62%.
A food blogger implemented his content clusters and tripled their organic traffic in six months.
These aren’t hypothetical examples. These are real businesses getting real results.
If you’re considering his services, check out my detailed overview of how to collaborate with Ben Stace .
Why People Love His Talks
After talking to people who’ve attended Ben’s sessions, a few things keep coming up.
He makes complicated stuff simple. SEO can feel overwhelming, especially with constant algorithm updates. Ben breaks it down without dumbing it down.
You walk away with actual steps. You’re not thinking “that was nice.” You’re thinking “I need to implement this on Monday.”
He stays current. Ben’s not recycling presentations from three years ago. He’s talking about what’s working right now.
He shows, not just tells. Instead of just explaining concepts, Ben often demos his tools live so you see exactly how to apply what he’s teaching.
The community matters. When you attend events where Ben speaks, especially CMSEO, you’re connecting with other people doing semantic SEO. That network alone is valuable.
How to Catch One of His Sessions
So you want to see Ben speak. Here’s how to make it happen.
Follow him on LinkedIn. This is honestly your best bet. Ben posts updates about upcoming events, shares insights between conferences, and engages with people asking questions.
Watch the CMSEO schedule. CMSEO is where Ben speaks most regularly. The next one is November 10-14, 2025 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Join semantic SEO communities. Groups like the Holistic SEO community share event information and sometimes offer early bird rates.
Check BrightonSEO lineups. This major conference often features Ben when he’s available.
Subscribe to SMX conference updates. They’ve hosted Ben for advanced sessions in the past.
Here’s a pro tip: CMSEO tickets have been selling out in under a day lately. If you’re serious, register as soon as they open.
A Real Example of How This Works
Let me give you a concrete example of Ben’s approach in action.
Imagine you’ve got a small website selling handmade candles. You wrote a page about “best scented candles” but it’s not ranking. You’re stuck on page three of Google.
At one of Ben’s sessions, you’d learn to build a content cluster around candles:
Your main page stays “best scented candles,” but now you add:
- Different candle wax types explained
- How to make candles burn longer
- Candle safety tips for homes with pets
- Seasonal scent profiles (fall, winter, spring, summer)
- Candle care and maintenance
- Eco-friendly candle options
Each new page links back to your main page and connects to related subtopics.
Now instead of one page fighting against major retailers, you’ve got a comprehensive resource. Google starts seeing you as someone who actually knows candles, not just a shop trying to rank for one keyword.
Your rankings improve. Traffic grows. More importantly, visitors find real value because you’ve answered their questions before they even thought to ask them.
That’s the practical side of what Ben teaches.
What Makes Ben Different from Other Speakers
You might wonder what sets Ben apart from other SEO conference speakers.
He’s doing the work, not just talking about it. Many speakers make their living from speaking and selling courses. Ben runs an agency with actual clients who need results. His strategies have to work in the real world.
He built the tools himself. Power Topics, Semantic SEO Writer, Semantic Scan, these aren’t theoretical. They’re products that thousands of professionals use daily.
His background brings depth. Ben has an applied science degree and even ran an agriculture biotech company before getting deep into SEO. He approaches problems analytically, not just intuitively.
He thinks long-term. You won’t hear Ben promoting quick tricks or “hacks” that break when Google updates their algorithm. He teaches sustainable methods.
He’s connected to the best minds. His relationship with Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR and his position in the semantic SEO community means he’s always learning from the cutting edge.
He teaches implementation. Other speakers might explain what topical authority is. Ben shows you how to build it, step by step, with specific tools and processes.
Questions People Keep Asking
Does Ben Stace speak at SEO events?
Yes, Ben regularly appears at major conferences including CMSEO, Kuşadası SEO Mastermind, and Ubud SEO and Business. He’s also spoken at BrightonSEO, SMX Advanced, and MozCon. He’s selective about which events he attends, focusing on audiences serious about implementation.
What’s this Power Topics thing everyone mentions?
Power Topics is Ben’s framework and tool for building topical authority. It helps you map out comprehensive topic coverage so Google sees you as an expert, not just someone writing random articles. It identifies gaps in your content and shows you how topics should connect.
Can beginners understand Ben’s presentations?
Absolutely. Ben’s known for taking complex ideas and explaining them clearly. He uses relatable examples and avoids unnecessary jargon. That said, advanced practitioners also find value because he includes implementation details and real case studies.
Are his talks available online?
Some conferences publish recordings, and Ben occasionally shares clips on his LinkedIn. However, his most valuable sessions happen at in-person events like CMSEO where the format encourages discussion and questions.
What’s the best way to learn his methods?
Attending his speaking events is ideal because you can ask questions directly. His books “Semantic SEO” and “Topical Map SEO” provide detailed written guides. For hands-on help, his agency Eleven Bananas offers consulting and implementation services.
How is Ben connected to Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR?
Ben was the second person ever privately trained by Koray, who’s considered one of the world’s top semantic SEO experts. Ben was also the first to successfully implement Koray’s framework outside of Koray’s own work. They collaborate closely on advancing semantic SEO methods.
What makes Ben’s SEO approach different?
Ben focuses on semantic relationships and topical authority rather than traditional keyword targeting. His methods help search engines understand what your content actually covers, leading to rankings for entire topic areas rather than just individual keywords.
Does Ben offer private consulting?
Yes, through Eleven Bananas, Ben offers consulting, joint ventures, and private workshops. However, spots are limited because of existing client commitments. Your best bet is reaching out through his LinkedIn or the agency website.
Why This Actually Matters for Your Website
So we’ve answered the question: does Ben Stace speak at SEO events?
Yes, he does, regularly and with real impact.
But here’s the bigger picture: should you care?
If you’re serious about building a website that keeps growing over time, understanding Ben’s approach matters a lot. SEO has changed. Google’s algorithms are way smarter than they used to be. You can’t just stuff keywords and buy links anymore.
Google rewards genuine expertise, comprehensive coverage, and content that actually helps people solve problems.
Ben’s sessions teach you how to build that kind of authority. Not through tricks or shortcuts, but through systematic topic coverage and smart content structure.
His upcoming talks at CMSEO 2025 (November 10-14) and Ubud SEO and Business in Bali are chances to learn directly from someone who’s been implementing these strategies successfully for almost three decades.
Even if you can’t make it to an event, following his content on LinkedIn, reading his books, and studying his methodology will put you ahead of competitors still using outdated tactics.
Here’s the truth: search engines keep getting better at understanding content. They recognize genuine expertise and reward comprehensive coverage. They can tell when you actually know what you’re talking about versus when you’re just trying to rank.
The only sustainable way forward is to actually become an authority in your topic. Build real expertise. Create comprehensive resources. Connect related concepts properly.
That’s what Ben teaches. That’s why people keep showing up to his sessions. And that’s why his speaking engagements matter for anyone serious about SEO in 2025 and beyond.
Want to see Ben speak? Follow him on LinkedIn for event announcements, check the CMSEO 2025 schedule, and join semantic SEO communities where his methods get discussed. Just remember, tickets to events like CMSEO go fast. Sometimes in under a day.
Your next breakthrough in SEO might just be one conference session away.
Written by Ambreen Basit, SEO expert and web designer sharing real-world SEO strategies at AmbreenBasit.online
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