SEO • Python • AI • Communities
SEO/AEO Lead at Shopify. Founder: Physics Forums + ImportSEM. I build SEO systems with Python & data.
Greg Bernhardt is the SEO/AEO Lead at Shopify, founder of Physics Forums (2001) and ImportSEM, and a Python SEO specialist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I build SEO systems with Python and data, and I care a lot about communities, knowledge, and learning. Named a Top 100 US SEO by brightonSEO (June 2026).
Hello, I’m Greg Bernhardt (Gregory Bernhardt), a digital marketer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in Python SEO. I have a BA in Information Studies from UW–Milwaukee (2005), hold IAB’s Fundamentals of Digital Marketing certification (2018), and have been involved in web design, development, and marketing since 1997, when I built my first website. I joined Shopify in August 2021 as a Senior SEO Strategist and became its SEO/AEO Lead in June 2026, with experience across technical SEO, content, and data. Before Shopify I was an SEO strategist at Rocket Clicks (2020–2021) and an SEO specialist at Filament Communication (2018–2019). I’m known for creating Python tutorials for SEO automation and AI, and in June 2026 I was named a Top 100 US SEO by brightonSEO.
I’ve been featured on podcasts and newsletters for my work, such as Mordy Oberstein’s The SEO Rant (archived) and Aleyda Solis’s SEOFOMO.
I also have a longstanding commitment to Physicsforums.com (Wikipedia), which I founded in 2001 as a school project and have grown into an exceptional online physics and math community. I’m also the founder of ImportSEM (advanced Python SEO) and, more recently, Civics Watch, a community for defending democracy.
Interests: AI, Python, NLP, semantics, knowledge graphs, and machine learning. Lately I’ve been working hard on YouTube SEO, forum SEO, and app dev.
A few pieces from my Shopify author page.
Plus 100+ Python SEO tutorials at ImportSEM.
A sample of the Python tools I’ve shared on GitHub.
The easiest way to reach me is via social.
Spoke at Marketing Horror Stories, a campfire-style storytelling night hosted by SocialSurge Marketing in Milwaukee. I was one of four storytellers, alongside Nora Lahl (Lightburn), Bruce Dierbeck (BVK), and Tyler Einberger (Momentic / MKE DMC), each sharing a real campaign that went sideways and the lessons learned.
Joined the MKE DMC panel What’s New in SEO/GEO/AEO?, a live debrief from brightonSEO San Diego covering practical AEO tactics, earning citations in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, and AI agents.
Recorded an episode with Crystal Waddell for Simple and Smart SEO, covering SEO, AEO, small business, and Shopify. The episode link will be added here once it’s released.
Honored to be recognized in brightonSEO’s 100 Influential SEOs in the USA, alongside a promotion to SEO/AEO Lead at Shopify.
I opened a new online community for defending democracy politics discussion. It quickly grew to thousands of posts with active members.
Hosted a Shopify Community AMA on AI and automation, answering merchant and SEO questions.
Back at the MKE DMC on a panel regarding 2026 marketing planning.
Chatted AI SEO with Itamar Blauer on SEO Unplugged.
If the player doesn’t load, open it on YouTube.
Presented on Topical Authority at MKE DMC.
Reference: mkedmc.org news post
Talked SEO, ChatGPT, smart toasters, and the AI revolution with Chris Troka on the Brain Work Frame Work podcast.
Presented on search intent at CONTFERENCE, an online Content Intelligence Conference on semantic SEO and topical authority.
Contributed to Authoritas’s Practical SEO Guide to Content Auditing.
Walked through blending data across sources for SEO analysis with Python.
If the player doesn’t load, open it on YouTube.
Find the parts of SEO you are passionate about and dive head first. Don’t compare, don’t doubt—just fall in and soak up what you love about SEO. A path to a successful life and career is self-evolution and service to others. The top skills for SEO and search careers are curiosity and perseverance.
I created this diagram of SEO content factors back in 2022 to visualize what matters when creating content for users and SEO.
Visiting Iceland back in 2022 wearing my Rocket Clicks and Streamlit swag.
Published Jan 2026.
Update: The above are all coming true! 2027 predictions will be out in late Nov. Stay tuned.