SearchKings

What SearchKings does

SearchKings Africa (Pty Ltd) is a digital marketing agency headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded in 2012 by CEO Brett Perlstein, a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) with 15 years of revenue-generation experience. The company operates an 11-50 person team (with 21 staff at the Wanderers Office Park headquarters and a Cape Town satellite office, plus a global team spanning 24 nations) and serves 300+ customers across Africa and international markets. Its portfolio spans paid media management (Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, YouTube), SEO, WordPress website development, Pipedrive CRM implementation, and proprietary call tracking — bundled into a recurring subscription-based professional services model priced through custom quotes.

The agency's underlying technical architecture differentiates it in the South African market: its proprietary Offline Conversion (OCI) Loop attaches GCLID identifiers to leads, syncs them with CRM systems (Pipedrive, HubSpot) via Make or Zapier, and imports qualified/won deal signals back into Google Ads to train Smart Bidding algorithms on actual revenue outcomes. The Value-Based Bidding (VBB) Framework categorises leads into quality tiers (Below Minimum, Qualified, High Value) and assigns algorithmic weights so Smart Bidding prioritises high-net-worth conversions. A proprietary SearchKings Reporting App integrates call tracking for real-time campaign visibility. These components connect demand creation (ads), demand capture (WordPress websites), and conversion management (CRM) into a closed-loop revenue system.

SearchKings earns revenue primarily through monthly subscription-based professional service fees for media management, with credit incentives (up to R18,000 in Google Ads credit, R6,000 in Microsoft Ads credit) used as customer acquisition tools. The customer segmentation is vertical-led, with a primary SME base across financial services, automotive, e-commerce, and hospitality, plus enterprise accounts (Boschendal, Motus Group, BDO South Africa, MORE Family Collection, Greenpeace Africa). Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led: strategy calls produce proposals within 24 hours, followed by dedicated Google-certified account managers running bi-weekly check-ins. Distribution relies on direct sales, partner referrals from Google/Microsoft/Pipedrive elite-tier relationships, and the Pipedrive Marketplace. The company holds Google Premier Partner (top 3% of agencies in country), Microsoft Elite Partner (first mover in South Africa), and the only Pipedrive Elite Partner status in Africa, supported by 200+ five-star Google reviews.

Name

SearchKings

Legal name

SearchKings Africa Pty Ltd

Website

https://searchkingsafrica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SearchKings Africa is a Johannesburg-headquartered digital marketing agency founded in 2012 that manages Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, WordPress websites, and Pipedrive CRM for 300+ SME and enterprise customers across Africa and global markets, holding elite partner status with Google, Microsoft, and Pipedrive.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Media Buying Agencies (54183), Advertising Agencies (541810), Advertising Agencies (54181)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) / Paid Search (PPC) (BPAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) / Paid Search (PPC) Management (MPAAACAB), Paid Search (SEM) Media Buying (BPAFABAC)

Keywords

• Paid search advertising
• Search engine marketing
• Conversion rate optimization
• CRM implementation services
• Lead generation agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Google Ads Management Services: Ongoing management and optimization of Google Ads campaigns for clients, including account setup, keyword tuning, geo-targeting, and performance reporting. Revenue generated through professional service fees.
2. Microsoft Ads Management Services: Management of Microsoft Advertising campaigns across Bing, MSN, Yahoo, and AOL networks. Includes access to LinkedIn audience data targeting capabilities.
3. Pipedrive CRM Implementation: Full implementation, configuration, and customization of Pipedrive CRM systems including integration with existing business tools, training, and ongoing support.
4. WordPress Website Development: Design and development of mobile-first, conversion-optimized WordPress websites including landing page design and development services.
5. Hospitality Marketing Services: Specialized digital marketing services for hotels and travel/hospitality businesses, including first-party data integration and direct booking optimization.
6. Call Tracking Solution: Proprietary call tracking technology with dynamic number insertion, recording, and scoring capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SearchKings Africa is a digital marketing agency that manages Google Ads (Search, Display, Video, Shopping, App) and Microsoft Advertising campaigns for businesses, paired with SEO, mobile-first WordPress website design, Pipedrive CRM implementation, and a proprietary offline conversion tracking (OCI Loop) methodology that pushes qualified CRM deal values back into Google Ads for value-based bidding optimization.

Product overview

SearchKings Africa is a digital marketing agency offering a unified portfolio of services centered on paid advertising (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads), SEO, and website development. The core offering consists of Google Ads Management paired with SEO Services, supplemented by Microsoft Ads Management as an Elite Channel Partner. The agency extends its platform with WordPress Website Design (mobile-first, conversion-optimized) and Pipedrive CRM Implementation as its only Elite Partner in Africa. Specialty modules include a Hotel Marketing Solution for hospitality clients and Luxury Travel Marketing for African properties, both leveraging first-party guest data. Additional services include YouTube Advertising, Landing Page Design, and a proprietary Call Tracking Solution for lead quality measurement. The portfolio connects demand creation (ads), demand capture (websites), and conversion management (CRM) into a revenue generation ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Google Ads Management End-to-end management and optimization of Google Ads campaigns (Search, Display, Video, Shopping, App) for businesses seeking high-quality lead generation, including account setup, keyword tuning, geo-targeting, and performance reporting.
• SEO Services Search engine optimization services including on-page SEO, keyword targeting, competitor positioning, pillar/cluster content structures, and technical SEO implementation to drive organic traffic for business clients.
• Microsoft Ads Management Managed Microsoft Search Network advertising (Bing, MSN, Yahoo, AOL) for businesses, leveraging LinkedIn audience data targeting as a Microsoft Elite Channel Partner.
• WordPress Website Design Design and development of mobile-first, conversion-optimized WordPress websites for businesses, with SEO best practices and GA4/GTM integrations.
• Pipedrive CRM Implementation Elite-level Pipedrive CRM setup, configuration, marketing-platform integration, training, and ongoing support for businesses seeking sales pipeline visibility, delivered as Africa's only Pipedrive Elite Partner.
• Call Tracking Solution Proprietary call tracking service with dynamic number insertion, call recording, scoring, and measurement integrated with Google Ads campaigns for lead quality analysis.
• Hotel Marketing Solution Specialized search engine marketing solution for independent hotels integrating PMS, booking engine, CRM, and ad platforms with first-party guest data activation to drive direct bookings.
• Luxury Travel Marketing Digital marketing service for luxury African travel properties (luxury lodges, villas, boutique retreats) using guest data analytics, targeted advertising, and revenue attribution to drive direct bookings.
• YouTube Advertising Video advertising on YouTube including 6-second bumper ads, 15-second skippable pre-roll, and TrueView for Action campaigns aimed at brand awareness and lead generation.
• Landing Page Design Conversion-rate-optimized landing page design for specific campaigns with clear calls to action and message-to-intent matching.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48.3% Year-on-Year increase in direct booked-on revenue (Boschendal case study)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle Premier Partner status - top 3% of agencies in South Africa. Provides access to Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Shopping, YouTube advertising, and Google Merchant Center. Enables receiving up to R18,000 in Google Ads credit for new clients.
• Microsoft AdvertisingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft Elite Partner (first mover in South Africa). Access to Microsoft Search Network (Bing, MSN, Yahoo, AOL) with proprietary LinkedIn audience data targeting. Enables receiving R6,000 in Microsoft Ads credit for new clients.
• PipedrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationOnly Pipedrive Elite Partner in Africa. Full implementation, integration, training and ongoing support for Pipedrive CRM. AI-powered features for lead management and sales automation.
• WalletdocminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partnership for payment processing and billing solutions. SearchKings uses Walletdoc for their own recurring billing and recommends to clients. Provides automated recurring billing, payment links, and e-commerce gateway.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• iProspect: Global performance marketing agency within Dentsu network. Broader incumbent offering paid search, SEO, and content services at enterprise scale with overlapping SEM/PPC capabilities.
• Jellyfish: Global digital marketing agency owned by Brandtech Group offering paid media, SEO, and creative services. Broader incumbent with global scale but overlapping SEM, SEO, and analytics capabilities for enterprise clients.
• GroupM: World's largest media investment group operating WPP's media agencies. Broader incumbent with massive scale in media buying and planning, including paid search capabilities through sub-agencies.

Direct peers

• Incubeta: South African-headquartered global digital marketing agency offering performance marketing, SEO, and analytics services. Comparable as a similarly-positioned South African agency serving enterprise and mid-market clients across multiple verticals with Google Premier Partner credentials.
• Rogerwilco: South African digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, and content marketing. Direct peer serving similar SME and mid-market clients in South Africa with comparable service offerings in search engine marketing.
• KlientBoost: US-based PPC and CRO-focused digital marketing agency. Comparable as a performance marketing specialist focused on paid search, conversion optimization, and data-driven campaign management for mid-market clients.
• Disruptive Advertising: PPC and digital advertising agency with Google Premier Partner status. Similar SEM-focused agency model serving mid-market and enterprise clients with integrated paid search, SEO, and CRO services.
• WebFX: Full-service digital marketing agency with strong PPC, SEO, and web development capabilities. Comparable integrated digital marketing services model targeting mid-market and enterprise clients across multiple verticals.
• Bluegrass Digital: South African digital agency offering web development, digital strategy, and online marketing services. Comparable as a South African full-service digital agency with overlapping website design and digital marketing capabilities.
• SmartSites: US-based digital marketing agency with Google Premier Partner status offering PPC, SEO, and web design. Similar integrated digital marketing model targeting mid-market clients with comparable service breadth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/searchkings-africa
• Instagraminstagram.com/searchkingsafrica

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SearchKings