Due to popular demand, Ahrefs Evolve returns to San Diego—bigger and better than ever.
After hosting over 600 marketers for our first US conference last October, we’re returning to San Diego in 2026. Same city, bigger stage, and—dare I say it?—an even better agenda.
And there’s only one teeny-tiny little thing standing between you and two days of world-class talks and networking: your boss (and their Q4 budget).
So here are five reasons your boss should send you to Ahrefs Evolve (with a handy email you can send them).
About Ahrefs Evolve 2026

- 600+ digital marketers to network with
- 20+ world-class speakers, including Ann Handley, Ross Simmonds, Tim Soulo, Rand Fishkin, Aleyda Solis, Patrick Stox, and more
- 2 full days in San Diego, California (October 12–13, 2026)
- 1 exclusive afterparty (and more afterparty activities than you can shake a stick at)
- 0 replays or livestreams. You need to be there live 😉
Join us and let the magic happen. Learn more and buy tickets.
You’ll see real workflows from high-performing teams, and learn how they’re winning across AEO, SEO, and all the channels that drive discoverability. This is how modern marketing teams actually operate.
You’ll hear from Wall Street Journal best-selling authors, agency founders, marketing leaders from brands like Bitly and Chili Piper, growth operators from Anthropic and Graphite, and a few familiar faces from Ahrefs — including Tim Soulo and Patrick Stox.


Networking is half the value of in-person events. You can meet your industry peers, your customers (and future customers), and maybe even a few of your marketing heroes. Last year’s event was attended by companies including IBM, Microsoft, adidas, HubSpot, Alibaba, Stripe, and AT&T.
We’ve organized dedicated spaces to meet and connect, with networking opportunities scheduled throughout the day. You can enjoy a catered lunch, and there’s the evening afterparty with music, drinks, and good company.

My favorite photo from a previous Ahrefs Evolve afterparty. Bonus points if you can name everyone.
Meeting people in real life is a career cheat code. Come to Evolve 2026, and you can look forward to…
- Networking with marketers from brands like IBM, Microsoft, adidas, HubSpot, Alibaba, Stripe, and AT&T.
- Joining expert Mastermind tables and brainstorming your domination of AI search.
- Happy hour to relax, chat, and take in the San Diego sunset.
- Karaoke and games at the afterparty (good luck beating Tim Soulo at ping pong).
So who knows what serendipitous connections you’ll make?
If you’re an Ahrefs customer (thank you!), you’ll learn tons of tips, tricks and workflow improvements from attending Evolve. You’ll have opportunities to:
- Learn about the latest Ahrefs features, like Agent A, our new game-changing marketing agent, our AI visibility tool, Brand Radar, and our free analytics tools, Web Analytics.
- Book a 1:1 with the Ahrefs team, with 15-minute slots offering personalized advice for getting more from your Ahrefs account.
- Join the Ahrefs Masterclass, hosted by product maestro Andrei—“How to Win in AEO & SEO with Ahrefs”—bookable in the event app.
- Attend talks from the Ahrefs team, with Tim and Patrick showcasing advanced features and practical strategies that you can use in your own business, including an inside look at the newest features we’re launching
- Pick our brains at the Ahrefs booth, where we’ll offer informal 1:1 coaching sessions and limited-edition swag (including our legendary t-shirts and custom totes).
Here’s a small snapshot of the limited edition swag we’ve given out in the past:
Ahrefs Evolve, day one! let’s do this 🙂 #AhrefsEvolve pic.twitter.com/9dLkDJw2wJ
— Ryan Law (@thinking_slow) October 14, 2025
Aside from the very interesting topics, what makes this conference even cooler are the ton of awesome freebies
Kudos for making all of these happen for #AhrefsEvolve @ahrefs team pic.twitter.com/DGzk5FSTN8
— Krista Melgarejo (@kimelgarejo) October 24, 2024
Content Goblin and SEO alligator party stickers are definitely going on my laptop. @ahrefs #ahrefsevolve pic.twitter.com/QBsBuY5Yix
— Patrick Stox (@patrickstox) October 24, 2024
This is one of the best swag bags I’ve received at any conference!
Either @ahrefs actually cares or the other conference swag bags aren’t up to par w Ahrefs!#AhrefsEvolve pic.twitter.com/Yc9e6wZPHn— Moses Sanchez (@SanchezMoses) October 25, 2024
Hey, “having fun” isn’t your traditional business expense, but it really matters.
Conferences are an opportunity to break from routine, meet other folks facing the same professional challenges, and come back to work with a head full of new ideas. That’s good for you, and good for your company.
Check out the recap video from last year’s Evolve conference to get excited:
Early bird tickets are available now—grab yours before they’re gone, and get a group discount when you bring a few colleagues along for the ride.
There’s a lot included in the ticket price, too:
- 20+ world-class SEO and AEO speakers
- Full access to all sessions, panels, and keynotes
- A catered networking lunch
- Reduced rate for hotel rooms at the InterContinental San Diego
- Entry to the closing afterparty
And remember: if you can improve your company’s SEO and AI search performance after attending Ahrefs Evolve (and we think you will), you’ll very easily see a positive return on the investment.
If you’re nervous about pitching your boss on attending Ahrefs Evolve, remember: the worst that can happen is a polite “not this time”, and you’ll find yourself in the same position you are now.
So here goes: copy this email template, tweak it to your liking, and send it to your boss over email or Slack… and we’ll see you in San Diego 😉
Email template
Request to Attend Ahrefs Evolve 2026 – San Diego, CA
Hi [Manager’s Name],I’d like to request approval to attend Ahrefs Evolve 2025, happening October 12–13 at the InterContinental San Diego.
This is Ahrefs’ flagship marketing conference—two focused days showcasing how the best teams are actually winning in AEO, SEO, and modern search.I believe attending will bring immediate value to our team—especially for [mention specific project or initiative].
Why it’s worth attending:
1. Strategic insights, not fluff. The agenda includes practical sessions from top CMOs, SEO leaders, and marketers, like Ann Handley, Ross Simmonds, Rand Fishkin, and Aleyda Solis.2. Even more value from our Ahrefs subscription. I can get direct access to the Ahrefs team, including 1:1 sessions with Ahrefs product experts, plus a masterclass on how to win in AEO and SEO using Ahrefs.
3. Valuable connections. Evolve brings together 600+ attendees from leading brands and agencies. The networking opportunities could
lead to idea exchanges, partnerships, and new perspectives that benefit our work.
4. Real impact back at work. I’ll document key learnings and share takeaways with the team through internal notes, recaps, or a short workshop. The goal is to ensure this investment translates into smarter strategies and improved outcomes.
Let me know if we can set aside a few minutes to discuss. I’m confident this will be a worthwhile opportunity to elevate
our work.
Thanks,
[Your Name]

