Friends of Search vs The Masterminders: Why The Masterminders Is the Smarter Investment

Every year, SEO professionals and digital marketers look for the events that will actually move the needle. Friends of Search in Amsterdam and Brussels is a familiar name on the European circuit, but in 2026, the clear winner for ROI, networking, and implementation is The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference in Manchester. Let’s take a look at both — and why one stands far above the rest.

A Quick Look at Friends of Search

Friends of Search is a long-running digital marketing and search conference hosted in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Brussels, Belgium. It attracts European marketing professionals and agency teams eager to discuss trends in SEO, SEA, and content marketing. The conference runs over two days, typically in March, with presentations from Google representatives, tool vendors, and consultants. It’s a solid event for staying informed — but it’s not designed for execution or business scaling.

Event Comparison: Friends of Search vs The Masterminders

Why The Masterminders Outperforms Every Traditional SEO Conference

The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference redefines what an SEO event should deliver. It’s a 3-day experience designed for business owners, agency founders, and marketers who prioritise measurable outcomes. With attendees from 25+ countries, The Masterminders blends implementation, systems thinking, and high-value collaboration — not PowerPoint presentations.

1. ROI That Actually Compounds

Every ticket purchased for The Masterminders is an investment with a measurable return. Instead of spending thousands to listen to theoretical talks, attendees get hands-on frameworks that improve revenue, lead generation, and client retention. For ROI, The Masterminders outperforms any traditional conference on both cost and outcome.

2. Speakers Who Build, Not Just Talk

The speaker lineup includes Kyle Roof, Koray Tugberk Gubur, James Dooley, and Fery Kaszoni — real operators who actively test, scale, and refine SEO systems. They don’t just share ideas — they show exactly how to apply them for growth.

3. Networking That Converts

Unlike large-scale events where you barely remember who you met, The Masterminders curates every attendee. Each group includes serious marketers and founders who share insights, referrals, and collaborations. Attendees regularly report long-term partnerships and six-figure deals from conversations that began here.

4. Transparent Pricing and Clear Value

General Admission starts at £395, VIP access is £595, and full Mastermind access is £795. No VAT add-ons. No hidden fees. The ticket includes workshops, lunches, and access to world-class networking. For the value, it’s unmatched across the European SEO conference circuit.

5. Real Systems, Not Theories

Every session focuses on implementation and execution — not just awareness. Attendees walk away with proven systems for automation, link building, content workflows, and AI integration. It’s where growth-minded SEOs and business owners learn how to scale sustainably.

Why ROI-Focused Marketers Choose The Masterminders

If you’re serious about growth, The Masterminders delivers compounding ROI far beyond the event itself. It’s where theory turns into profit, contacts turn into clients, and conversations turn into systems that scale. Investing in this conference is not an expense — it’s an accelerator.

You can compare more events in our full guide to the best SEO conferences happening this year. But if you value real outcomes, transparency, and world-class operators — visit The Masterminders and see why it’s recognised as the best ROI-driven SEO conference in the world.

Sources Used

• Friends of Search Official Website
• The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference