Awards, Accreditations & In the Media
Don't just take our word for it...
We've been doing this since 2008. We'd rather let the work do the talking, but occasionally other people want to talk about it too.
Here's a summary of the industry recognition, accreditations, and media coverage that Optimising and our team have picked up along the way.
In the Media
We don't chase press, but occasionally the topics we work on - AI search, sustainable business, and the changing SEO landscape - attract attention from journalists who are looking for someone to actually explain what's going on. Here's where we've been quoted, profiled, or otherwise dragged into the spotlight.
- Adnews: "Your agency told you they do AI search. Ask them to prove it" (3/05/2026)
- Inside Small Business - "To AI or not to AI?"
- SmartCompany - "ChatGPT drives 90% of AI website visits in Australia, but converts worse than Perplexity, Gemini"
- B&T - "Shopify Plus Team Up With Optimising To Reach Greater SEO Results"
- AdNews -"Industry Profile: James Richardson at Optimising"
- AdNews - "SEO agency Optimising commits to environmental support"
- Mumbrella - "Optimising joins forces with 1% for the Planet to further environmental commitment"
- Mediaweek - "Optimising partners with Shopify Plus as preferred SEO partner”
Accreditations
Certified B Corporation
Optimising has been B Corp certified since October 2021 and was re-certified in 2025. The certification is assessed by B Lab across five categories: governance, employees, community, customers, and the environment. It means we've met and continue to meet the highest verified standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
We're one of a small number of Australian digital agencies to hold this certification.
Shopify Plus SEO Partner
Shopify hand-picked Optimising as a preferred SEO vendor for its Shopify Plus Partner Program after a rigorous screening process. We were among the first digital marketing agencies invited into the program when Shopify expanded it beyond design and development partners in 2022.
AI Accredited Organisation
Optimising is by the National AI Centre as an AI-ready organisation covering AI deployment, consulting, research and innovation.
Awards
Optimising is regularly nominated across some of the most prestigious search marketing award programs in the region and globally. While we've always preferred to let our client work do the talking, it's nice to be recognised by our peers.
- APAC Search Awards - Finalist (Multiple years)
- SEMrush Australian Search Awards - Finalist (Multiple years)
- Global Search Awards - Finalist (Multiple years)
- Anthill Coolest Companies
Industry Involvement
Australian Web Industry Association (AWIA)
We've held board positions on the Australian Web Industry Association and active supporters of the association's mission to champion the Australian web industry.
Australian Web Awards
Optimising sponsors the SEO category at the Australian Web Awards. We first took on the sponsorship when SEO was introduced as a judging discipline in 2023, and returned as SEO category sponsor for the 2025 awards celebrating its 20th anniversary.
B Local Melbourne
As a B Corp, we're active participants in B Local Melbourne, the local chapter connecting B Corp certified businesses for knowledge sharing, events, and community impact. bcorporation.com.au/b-local
Yarra City Council Business Advisory Group
We sit on the Yarra City Council Business Advisory Group, contributing to the support and development of local businesses in the City of Yarra.
Sustainability
One Percent For The Planet Partners
We donate 1% of our annual revenue to environmentally focused not-for-profit organisations through the 1% for the Planet initiative. Over the years, we've supported organisations including CERES, Oz Harvest, and the Climate Council. Our current partnership is with the Odonata Foundation, supporting the recovery of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
