Free Multi-Week SEO Testing Event
Run Real Tests. Publish Real Results.
Win Cash Prizes.
Join the SEO REBORN: Hackathon 2026
A multi-week SEO testing competition where participants run live experiments, track results, and compete for prizes
while generating publishable industry research.
You've seen some of the people from IMG in / they have worked for...
What Is SEO Reborn: Hackathon 2026?
SEO is changing faster than ever. AI Overviews, answer-first search, and evolving ranking systems are changing how visibility is earned.
Testing is no longer optional. It’s how serious SEOs stay ahead.
This hackathon-style SEO testing competition is built for practitioners who want to discover the edge that keeps them ahead of the competition.
Participants form teams, launch real SEO tests, track outcomes, and present their findings publicly.
Winners receive a $2,500 cash prize, 6 months of IMG free, and YouTube feature promotion.
This event doesn’t focus on theory, it’s built entirely around experimentation and data.
Testing is the methodology and the results are the proof.
Test launch on May 25th, secure your spot now.
When Is The Event?
Step 1
Registration opens
May 4 - Sign up to be matched into a team
Step 2
Team formation + setup
May 4-24
Step 3
Official testing window
May 25 - June 22 · weekly check-ins + leaderboards
Step 4
Submission deadline
June 23
Step 5
Live winners event
June 25
How This Works
Step 1
Choose your testing track
Step 2
Build/join a team or run your test solo
Step 3
Submit your test concept
Step 4
Launch your test
Step 5
Track results during the testing window
Step 6
Submit your findings
Step 7
Winners will be announced live
Choose Your Competition Track
AI Search
Optimization
AI Overviews, citation testing, answer-first formatting, GEO experimentation.
Test ideas
- AI Overview inclusion
- Citation structure
- GEO formatting
On-Page
Optimization
Content structure, E-E-A-T, schema, trust packaging.
Test ideas
- Structured data tests
- Answer-first formatting
- Trust signal experiments
Off-Page
Optimization
Links, digital PR, authority signal testing.
Test ideas
- Authority testing
- Link quality testing
- PR signal testing
Prizes
Compete for cash, recognition, and industry visibility.
Prizes are awarded for each winning team per competition track. Here's what's up for grabs.
Per-track winners
What you take home
-
$2,500 Cash
-
6 Months of IMG Membership Current IMG members receive a coupon code to gift to a friend or colleague.
-
YouTube Feature Promotion
Beyond the prizes
Every participant walks away with
- Real-world test data
- Published case studies
- Authority-building exposure
- Networking opportunities
Rules and Requirements
- Solo or team participation allowed
- Testing domains provided by IMG
- AI tools allowed
- Four-week active testing period
You can read our complete rules and documentation for the SEO Reborn: Hackathon 2026 here.
Meet Our Judges
Kyle Roof
Optimizer Pro | Founder IMG
Helene Jelenc
Flow Agency | Director of SEO
Yoyao Hsueh
Floyi | SEO, AEO Strategist
Yash Singh
Trade Ops Consulting | Co-Founder
Joy Hawkins
Sterling Sky Inc | Owner
Why Run A Test With IMG?
Not only will you walk away from this event with real-world, industry publishable data, you’ll engage with like-minded SEOs sharing a common goal: producing empirical SEO research that translates into practical skills. But don’t just take our word for it....
“ The best SEO testing group ”
Not only is IMG Courses the best SEO testing group on the web, they offer an onslaught of SEO courses under a subscription model. These courses are hand-picked by the team IMG Courses which includes none other than Kyle Roof (who I have the highest respect for. I mean the man did rank a site that was in Latin). - Steve Toth, SEO Notebook
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-IMG members participate?
Yes. The event is open to the public and we encourage everyone interested to join.
Do I need a team?
No. You can join the event and run a test solo. If you'd like to join a team, you can connect with other SEOs on our Slack channel.
Do I need a new domain?
No. IMG will provide a testing domain free of charge. You're also free to use your own domain if you prefer.
Can beginners join?
Absolutely. We encourage it. We'd love to expose you to the world of SEO testing early so you get started on the right foot.
Can I use AI?
Yes. You can use AI for any part of your test you see fit.
How are winners selected?
Winners are selected by our panel of judges based on originality, methodology, measurable results, and real-world application.
How much time is required?
It depends on your specific test and workflow. The main thing to keep in mind is that the event runs for four weeks while you let your test gather data.
Reborn Hackathon 2026
Join the SEO testing event designed for practitioners who want evidence, not opinions.
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