I Made the "Top 100 PPC" List. Here Is What That Actually Means for Your Business.
Why "Influence" isn't a substitute for ethics, kindness, or results.
The annual "Top PPC Influencer" lists are out, and I am honored to be included again.
But when a business owner sees a badge like "Top 50 Worldwide," they often think one of two things:
"She’s probably too expensive and busy for me."
"Is she actually good at ads, or is she just good at LinkedIn?"
These are fair questions. I want to pull back the curtain on what "Influence" actually looks like in my day-to-day, and why I believe it makes me a safer bet for your marketing budget than a silent agency.
1. "Influence" is Just "Public Accountability"
To stay on these lists, I have to produce a massive amount of content. I write for Search Engine Land and Search Engine Journal. I post daily. I speak on podcasts.
Why this matters to you:
To be an expert in public, I have to be willing to be wrong in public.
If I post a bad strategy or incorrect advice on LinkedIn, my peers (the other 49 people on that list) will call me out immediately. This forces a level of rigor and research that doesn't exist in a "black box" agency.
I can’t hide behind jargon.
I have to test my theories before I speak.
I am constantly studying changes in the platform so I don't look foolish.
When you hire me, you are hiring someone whose reputation is literally on the line every single day.
2. The Network Effect (My "Bat-Phone")
In the video, I talked about my "industry friends"—people like Julie Bacchini or Boris Beceric. These aren't just internet acquaintances; they are the best minds in the world.
Why this matters to you:
Google Ads breaks. Strategies stop working. Algorithms change overnight.
When a generic account manager gets stuck, they guess.
When I get stuck, I open a DM.
I have direct access to a brain trust of the smartest people in the industry. We troubleshoot together, we share data, and we solve problems faster than anyone working in a silo can. You aren't just hiring Sarah; you are hiring the network Sarah has built over 15 years.
3. The "Anti-Sales" Pitch
I will be honest: I am a terrible salesperson. I don't like convincing people.
This is actually why I create so much content. I want you to know exactly how I think, how I audit, and what I value before we ever get on a call.
Why this matters to you:
By the time you reach out to me, we don't have to waste time on a sales dance. My content has already done the "proving." We can spend our first conversation talking about your business, your margins, and your goals.
4. The "Too Busy" Myth
Finally, let’s address the elephant in the room. "If she’s on a list, she’s probably drowning in clients and won’t have time for me."
The Truth: Influence does NOT = Client Acquisition.
Being on a list doesn't mean it’s "raining clients." It means I have the luxury of looking for the right clients.
I am not trying to scale an agency to 500 employees. I am trying to work with a select group of business owners who want a true partner. I don’t use my influence to become untouchable; I use it to become transparent.
The Bottom Line
I am incredibly grateful to be recognized by my peers. But a badge doesn't optimize an account.
Don't hire the badge.
Hire the humanity. Hire the person who cares enough to show up, debate the hard topics, and treat your budget with the same ethics I treat my own reputation.
If you are looking for a partner who is plugged in, publicly accountable, and ready to skip the sales pitch—let’s chat.
