Semrush is a Boston-based SaaS company specializing in online visibility management and digital marketing tools. Founded in 2008 by Oleg Shchegolev and Dmitri Melnikov, it began as a modest SEO project called Seodigger, evolving from a Firefox extension named SeoQuake into a comprehensive platform initially known as SEMrush (standing for Search Engine Marketing rush). The company rebranded to Semrush in 2020 to reflect its broader scope beyond just SEO. What started as a tool with just two features has grown into an all-in-one marketing suite boasting over 55 tools and add-ons, trusted by millions of marketers worldwide.
The origins of Semrush can be traced back to the founders’ passion for making online competition fair and transparent. Both Shchegolev and Melnikov, originally from Russia, relocated the company to the United States in 2017. They bootstrapped the business for years, achieving profitability without heavy external funding, until a $40 million round in 2018 from investors such as Greycroft and E.ventures. Semrush went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021 under the ticker SEMR. In response to geopolitical events, the company ceased operations in Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and supported staff relocations. Today, Semrush employs over 1,000 people across offices in cities like Boston, Barcelona, Berlin, Prague, and Dallas.
At its core, Semrush provides data-driven insights for digital marketers, agencies, and businesses of all sizes. Its platform covers keyword research, competitive analysis, site audits, backlink tracking, PPC advertising management, content marketing, social media tools, and market research across more than 140 countries. With a massive database of over 25 billion keywords and 43 trillion backlinks, Semrush helps users optimize their online presence across search engines like Google, Bing, and emerging platforms such as Amazon and Baidu. Key features include Organic Research for spying on competitors’ traffic, Keyword Magic Tool for discovering high-value terms, and Position Tracking for monitoring rankings.
In recent years, Semrush has aggressively embraced artificial intelligence to stay ahead in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The company has integrated AI across its tools, launching features such as ContentShake for AI-assisted content creation and Semrush Enterprise AIO in 2025, which optimizes visibility in AI-powered search environments, including Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. In March 2025, Bill R. Wagner, formerly of GoTo Group, succeeded Oleg Shchegolev as CEO, who transitioned to Chief Technology Officer to focus on innovation. This leadership change coincided with acquisitions, such as Ryte in 2024, to bolster website quality management.
Financially, Semrush has demonstrated steady growth, with trailing 12-month revenue reaching approximately $414 million as of mid-2025, and projections for $448–453 million for the whole year. In its Q3 2025 earnings report in November, the company reported $112.1 million in revenue, demonstrating resilience amid market challenges, including AI disruptions in search and serving clients from small businesses to enterprises across industries such as e-commerce, finance, and healthcare. Semrush powers campaigns for brands including Tesla, Apple, and Amazon.
As of late 2025, Semrush continues to innovate with updates like AI traffic data in its Traffic & Market Toolkit and a heightened focus on AI as a “generational shift.” Events like the Spotlight 2025 conference highlighted its role in helping marketers navigate AI-driven search. With a mission to simplify marketing and deliver measurable results, Semrush remains a cornerstone tool for anyone serious about dominating online visibility in an increasingly AI-influenced world.
