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SEMrush’s journey began in 2008 when a small team of SEO enthusiasts and IT experts, notably Oleg Shchegolev and Dmitry Melnikov, developed a tool for their search engine optimization needs. Initially, The project was a browser extension called SEOQuake, designed to help analyze a website’s ranking in search results.

By the end of 2008, the creators realized that other digital marketing professionals would benefit from their tool. This led them to expand the project from a small, internal tool to a comprehensive solution for Internet marketing professionals.

SEMrush, the company’s first commercial product, launched in 2009. The name represented a broader approach to both SEO and Search Engine Marketing. During this time, the team was focused on introducing new tools for competitor research, keyword analysis, and tracking search engine rankings. 2010 marked a pivotal year in the company’s growth as it expanded internationally. As part of its initial push into the US market, the company opened its first overseas office in Boston. This step allowed the platform to quickly adapt its products for American users and gain insights into their needs.

In 2011, they introduced features for evaluating search engine and social media advertising, significantly expanding the platform’s functionality. This enabled the company to grow from an SEO tool into a fully equipped Internet marketing platform.

Between 2012 and 2013, the team focused on advancing its technological foundation. The company invested heavily in creating its own data collection and analysis algorithms. During this time, coverage of various search engines and geographical areas expanded, and data accuracy improved.

In 2014, new tools were introduced, including Position Tracking for monitoring rankings in search results and Site Audit for technical analysis of websites. These tools quickly became popular and strengthened the platform’s position in the market.

Further market expansion occurred in 2015, with a growing presence in Asia and Europe. New offices opened across several European countries to better localize the product for those markets.

In 2016, the company launched content marketing tools like Content Analyzer and SEO Writing Assistant. This product expansion reflected the increasing importance of high-quality content in digital marketing.

The company achieved major growth in 2017 when Greycroft Partners and other investors contributed $40 million, funding its international expansion and further product development.

To mark its tenth anniversary in 2018, a new platform version was released alongside refreshed branding. That year, enhanced data-handling capabilities and tools for managing social media advertising were introduced. In 2019, the platform launched several notable products, including ImpactHero, which measures content marketing effectiveness, and Market Explorer, which provides market analysis. The company also expanded further in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

In 2020, despite global challenges, the team continued its active growth, enhancing local SEO features and adding more flexibility for working with marketplaces and e-commerce.

A landmark moment came in 2021 when the company completed its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SEMR, becoming a publicly traded company and securing additional growth funding.

In 2022, the company continued expanding its product line with new solutions for in-depth analytics and marketing process automation. Investments in advancing technology infrastructure further strengthened its position in emerging markets.

Over the years, the platform has evolved from a small, specialized tool into a comprehensive digital marketing solution, adapting to user needs and industry changes. It has established itself as a leader in marketing technology and has frequently received industry awards.