Semrush

Semrush is a suite of search engine optimization (SEO) tools helping firms to create, manage, and measure online marketing campaigns. Semrush offers 40+ SEO tools covering a wide range of use cases including 1) tools to analyze and audit a brand’s online visibility, 2) providing visibility on competitor promotion strategies, and 3) keyword optimization for enhancing ad spend. As of end June 2022, the firm had more than 91,000 firms, with 30% of Fortune 500 firms including Apple, Amazon, and Samsung using its tools. 

According to product reviewers, Semrush has the most comprehensive platform in terms of the number of SEO tools to choose from and has the largest keyword suggestion tool (a key metric for online advertising) for Google search engines (close to 20 billion search terms). Semrush also won the Global Search Awards for “Best Global SEO software Suite” for 2021.

In recent years, the firm has expanded its product suite to include content discovery tools for content marketing and a social media management platform. In September 2020, Semrush acquired Prowly; a public relations tech startup based in Poland in order to drive its international expansion and extend its product offerings. According to analysts, Semrush’s focus is on transforming its platform into a full-stack marketing cloud. In line with this, in March 2022 Semrush extended its capabilities to sales engagement with the acquisition of Kompyte , a competitive intelligence and campaign automation platform. Additionally, the firm also acquired Backlinko (in January 2022) and Traffic Think Tank (in February 2023) to enhance the offerings of its educational arm Semrush Academy.

Funding and financials

After a single venture funding round in April 2018, Semrush was listed on the NYSE in March 2021, raising USD 140 million with a valuation of USD 1.9 billion. This was subsequent to its noteworthy performance where the firm recorded a revenue of USD 125 million (a 36% YoY growth) in 2020. In FY 2022, the firm achieved a revenue of USD 254.3 million (35.3% YoY growth). For the full-year 2023E, the company raised its revenue target to range from USD 307 million to USD 309 million (21%–22% YoY growth), while the non-GAAP net income target was revised to range from USD 2 million to USD 4 million.