In the specialized world of search engine optimization, professional relationships aren’t always what they seem. A quick search for Ben Stace and Mihai Mateias might not reveal a direct business partnership, but when I took a deeper look, I uncovered a complex and fascinating professional nexus. Their connection isn’t a traditional collaboration but rather a testament to the power of a modern professional ecosystem forged by a common intellectual framework, a shared community, and, most importantly, a central, influential figure.
Let me tell you the story of how a single mentor, Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR, became the nexus for two of the most influential figures in advanced semantic SEO, each of whom has carved out a distinct, yet complementary, role within this emerging network.
A New Mindset for SEO
To understand the relationship between Ben Stace and Mihai Mateias, we first have to understand the paradigm shift they’re a part of. Modern SEO has moved beyond simple keyword tactics to a more sophisticated, entity- and context-based approach known as semantic SEO. This philosophy, championed by a specific community, treats a website not as a collection of pages, but as a “living ecosystem” where everything—from content and user experience to technical performance—works together to build a deep, authoritative online presence. This is the essence of what is called “Holistic SEO.”
At the heart of this movement is a specific methodology known as “Koray’s Framework”. This framework, which forms the intellectual foundation for both Ben and Mihai, goes beyond the basics to include advanced practices like algorithmic authorship analysis and structured content networks. The public emergence of this framework has led to the creation of a self-legitimizing professional network, complete with curated lists of “top experts” and a thriving community infrastructure.
| Term | Definition |
| Holistic SEO | A comprehensive approach to SEO that views a website as a “living ecosystem,” integrating content quality, user experience, technical performance, and emotional connection to build a compelling and searchable online identity. |
| Semantic SEO | A practical methodology that focuses on entities, context, and structured data rather than just keywords. It helps search engines understand the meaning and relationships behind content to improve visibility and topical authority. |
| Topical Authority | The credibility and trust a website gains by consistently publishing high-quality, in-depth, and interlinked content on a specific topic, establishing itself as a reliable source of information. |
| Entities | People, places, or concepts that search engines recognize and categorize. Strengthening entity relationships in content enhances its relevance and understanding. |
| Semantic Content Networks | A system of interconnected content pages and a knowledge base that systematically cover a topic in a comprehensive and structured manner, building topical authority. |
| Koray’s Framework | The specific methodology, patterns, principles, and conceptual rules for advanced SEO pioneered by Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR. |
The Architect of a New SEO Era
The professional relationship between Ben Stace and Mihai Mateias is entirely dependent on one man: Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR. As the founder of Holistic SEO & Digital and a recognized expert in data science, machine learning, and web development , Koray is the intellectual architect of this entire professional ecosystem. He has built his reputation on transparently sharing his in-depth research and case studies , earning him a place as a thought leader and a frequent speaker at major industry events.
Koray has strategically cemented his authority not just through his expertise but through his role as a mentor and educator. He offers courses and an “Elite Semantic SEO Mastermind Group” designed to “democratize elite methodologies.” Crucially, he has also founded and actively manages the “Holistic SEO Communities” on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, Discord, and LinkedIn. These communities are the beating heart of his network, a place for networking, knowledge exchange, and a powerful engine for his framework’s dissemination.
By training and mentoring individuals like Ben and Mihai, Koray creates evangelists who, in turn, expand the practical application of his ideas. Public testimonials, such as the one from Ben Stace , serve as social proof, attracting more followers and cementing Koray’s position as the primary authority in this niche.
The Innovator: Ben Stace
Ben Stace is a veteran of the digital marketing industry, with a career dating back to 1998. His background is a unique blend of “applied science” and entrepreneurship, having previously owned an “agriculture biotech company”. This diverse experience is frequently cited as the source of his “scientific perspective,” which he applies directly to his work in SEO. Today, he is the founder of the agency Eleven Bananas.
I’ve found that his connection to Koray is a foundational pillar of his career. Ben was the second person to be privately trained by Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR, a fact that places him at the very beginning of the framework’s public life. More importantly, he was the “first to implement Koray’s framework on a website outside of Koray’s direct client portfolio”. This achievement not only solidified his reputation as a pioneering practitioner but also made him a living case study for the methodology’s effectiveness.
Ben’s contributions to the ecosystem are primarily strategic and product-oriented. He has developed proprietary tools, including the “Semantic SEO Writer” and “Semantic Scan Tools,” that are seen as leading applications of the framework by industry insiders. He has also authored books like “Semantic SEO and Topical Map SEO”. Through these products and publications, he has become a thought leader and innovator, codifying the framework’s principles for a broader audience.
The Technical Expert: Mihai Mateias
Mihai Mateias is a professional distinguished by his deep technical expertise. He is described as a “Holistic SEO Expert, Speaker, Developer, Data Scientist” with a strong foundation in Python. His professional journey began in 2015, evolving from “black-hat tactics” to the data-driven semantic strategies that now define his work.
Mihai’s path to Koray’s mentorship was one of personal dedication. He was trained and mentored by Koray and, to demonstrate his commitment to the field, traveled to Istanbul to meet with him, ultimately earning an invitation to the Topical Authority Course in May 2023.
Where Ben Stace focuses on strategic innovation, Mihai’s contributions are centered on technical implementation and community support. He is a prominent administrator in the “Holistic SEO Community” , a role that places him at the heart of the network’s knowledge-sharing. He has also created the “Topical Authority SEO Chatbot,” an AI tool designed to help Koray’s students learn semantic SEO concepts. This tool provides a practical, educational application of the framework for the entire community. As a public face of the network, he has presented at the “Holistic SEO Mastermind” event in Kusadasi, Turkey, alongside other top experts.
A Shared Orbit, A Powerful Network
What I’ve concluded is that the connection between Ben Stace and Mihai Mateias is not about direct collaboration. Instead, it is a relationship born from a shared intellectual home. They are both successful, public examples of the effectiveness of Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR’s methodology, representing distinct but complementary skill sets within the same professional orbit.
Their individual roles—Ben as the product-focused innovator and Mihai as the technical, community-focused facilitator—show that the Koray framework is not a rigid doctrine but a flexible system that allows for specialization. This diversity strengthens the entire network. They are also connected by their shared community, appearing on “top expert” lists and attending the same exclusive industry events.
Ultimately, the professional lives of Ben Stace and Mihai Mateias are a compelling case study for the structure and function of modern, niche-specific professional networks. Their success is a powerful model for building authority in a digital world where success is increasingly defined by affiliation with a recognized intellectual framework and active, meaningful participation within its core community.
