In the fast-evolving realm of semantic SEO, two names often surface together: Koray Tuğberk Gübür, the Turkish pioneer behind the “Topical Authority” framework, and Ben Stace, the Australian (or UK-based) full-stack developer turned semantic SEO strategist. Their connection is rooted in mentorship, shared ideology, and the transfer and practical application of cutting-edge SEO practices.
Mentor and Mentee: A Knowledge Transfer
Ben Stace was one of the earliest adopters—and importantly, one of the earliest private trainees—of Koray’s Topical Authority framework. In fact, he was the second person privately trained by Koray and became the first to implement Koray’s framework outside Koray’s own direct client portfolio. This alone signals a deep level of trust and respect between them, cementing a mentor–mentee dynamic at the heart of their relationship.
Moreover, testimonials reinforce this connection. On Ben’s website, Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR is explicitly listed among clients or endorsers, with praise for Ben’s implementation of the Topical Authority methodology—a recognition of direct linkage and endorsement.
Shared Philosophy: Topical Authority and Semantic Rigor
Both Koray and Ben center their approaches on building topical authority—a strategy that emphasizes semantic depth, entity-based content clustering, and context over keyword repetition. Koray developed foundational methodologies in semantic SEO, which Ben then operationalized into practical frameworks and tools like Semantic SEO Writer and Semantic Scan.
Ben Stace took Koray’s conceptual approach and turned it into action:
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He built semantic content maps and topical clusters, rather than relying on isolated keywords.
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He deployed schema markup, entity optimization, and EEAT principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) to reinforce semantic relevance and trust signals.
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His methodology for internal linking, FAQs, structured headers, and natural language echoes Koray’s principles but brings them into a scalable, tool-augmented workflow.
Thus, the relationship extends beyond a one-way teaching—it is a shared philosophy brought to life by Ben through tools, case studies, and continued evolution of semantic SEO.
Community and Influence: Beyond Just Two Figures
Both Koray and Ben are central figures in the semantic SEO community. Koray, as the founder of Holistic SEO & Digital and the Holistic SEO Communities, has cultivated a network of thousands of marketers focused on his Topical Authority methodology.
Ben, in turn, is recognized within this ecosystem as a core member—trained by Koray but also an innovator in his own right. He’s a regular speaker at SEO conferences like CMSEO (Chiang Mai, 2024), Ubud SEO and Business (Bali, 2025), and Kuşadası SEO & Business Mastermind (2024). His tools, books (such as Semantic SEO and Topical Map SEO), and consulting practice reinforce the principles he learned from Koray and extend them to a global audience.
So, their relationship is mutually reinforcing—Koray builds the philosophy and training infrastructure; Ben operationalizes it, scales it, and contributes fresh case studies and tools back to the community.
A Relationship of Respect, Respectfully Applied
To summarize in a more narrative tone:
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Koray Tuğberk Gübür, the visionary behind the Topical Authority framework, played the role of a mentor—a teacher who laid down the rules of semantic SEO.
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Ben Stace became a trusted student, applying Koray’s frameworks in real-world projects, building tools, and delivering accessible, scalable semantic SEO strategies.
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Through their collaboration—formal or informal—they’ve shaped the semantic SEO landscape: Koray provides the “why” and the structure; Ben delivers the “how” and the execution.
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Their mutual respect is evident: Koray acknowledges Ben’s skill and success; people in the industry cite Ben as a pioneer who translated theory into actionable methodology.
What It Means for the SEO Community
This relationship signals something important for the broader SEO world: ideas flourish best when mentorship and practical innovation go hand in hand. Koray’s frameworks provided clarity and vision; Ben’s implementations proved they work and helped spread them widely.
For someone curious about semantic SEO:
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Explore Koray’s foundational framework and philosophy behind Topical Authority.
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See how Ben has built tools, written practical guides, and offered client success stories that translate those concepts into results.
Together, they illustrate a powerful dynamic where thought leadership (Koray) and tactical innovation (Ben) reinforce and amplify one another—fueling progress in the discipline.