Semify buys Dragon Metrics to scale global AI optimization and SEO coverage
Semify buys Hong Kong-based Dragon Metrics to strengthen AI-led reporting and international SEO reach.
Semify, a US-based white-label digital marketing platform, has acquired Dragon Metrics, a Hong Kong-headquartered SEO and advertising reporting platform with roots in international markets. The move expands Semify’s global data footprint and strengthens its AI-led optimization roadmap at a time when search engines are rapidly integrating more AI-generated results.
Dragon Metrics isn’t just another SEO tool. The company brings established capabilities in AI-based tracking, keyword monitoring, and search reporting across both Google and non-Google ecosystems—particularly in markets like China, Korea, and Japan. For Semify, which has traditionally focused on English-speaking markets and agency partnerships, this deal is both a strategic tech upgrade and a gateway into harder-to-reach regions.
Short on time?
Here’s a table of contents for quick access:
- What just happened: a breakdown of the deal
- Why this matters for global SEO and AI-led search
- What marketers should know about the platform integration
- Tools and takeaways for agency leaders and SEO strategists
What just happened: a breakdown of the deal
Semify, based in Rochester, New York, acquired Dragon Metrics to deepen its AI optimization services and broaden its global reporting capabilities. Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but the implications are clear: Semify wants to be a stronger player in both AI-led media and international SEO.
Founded in 2011, Dragon Metrics supports over 50 markets and tracks both Western and Asian search engines. Its platform offers SEO reporting, competitor analysis, backlink audits, and AI overview tracking—a feature increasingly critical as AI snippets dominate search result pages.
Semify CEO Patrick Briggs said the acquisition supports their evolution into a full-fledged AI optimization (AIO) provider. Dragon Metrics CEO and co-founder Simon Lesser will join Semify as Chief Product Officer, while the Dragon engineering team will integrate into Semify’s product org under CTO Brian Sappey.
Patrecia Meliana
Why this matters for global SEO and AI-led search
This deal positions Semify to ride the next wave of SEO transformation. As AI-generated overviews, search summaries, and contextual SERPs continue to reshape how users engage with platforms like Google, marketers need tools that can measure performance beyond traditional ranking.
Dragon Metrics was already tracking these AI overview elements—data most SEO tools still don’t cover well. Combining that with Semify’s white-label fulfillment model creates a platform that doesn’t just report on what’s happening in search—it helps agencies adapt to how AI is rewriting search behavior.
Importantly, Dragon Metrics has long operated in regions where Google doesn’t dominate. That gives Semify partners a much-needed advantage in reaching markets like China and Korea without cobbling together multiple tools.
What marketers should know about the integration
Semify says the integration will happen in phases. In the near term, Semify resellers will gain access to Dragon Metrics accounts and their advanced reporting features. Over time, those features—such as content optimization, keyword analysis, and AI summary tracking—will be brought directly into Semify’s platform.
For agencies, this means:
- Fewer tools to manage: Reporting, keyword research, and content editing will eventually live under one roof.
- More markets to reach: Coverage for Baidu, Naver, and Yahoo Japan extends campaign reporting far beyond Google.
- White-label friendly: Dragon Metrics’ features will be embedded into Semify’s reseller model, keeping the platform behind the scenes while agencies get the credit.
Dragon Metrics will remain a standalone brand for existing customers, but it will now receive expanded engineering support and white-label fulfillment from Semify’s US-based team.
Strategic takeaways for marketers and agency leaders
- AI-first search is already here
Search isn’t just about links and keywords anymore. With AI overviews taking up more SERP real estate, marketers need tools that show how content performs in this new layer. Dragon Metrics’ capabilities offer a rare window into AI search surfaces. - Go beyond Google
SEO strategies that only focus on Google risk missing massive audiences in Asia. This acquisition gives Semify resellers access to tools that handle regional search engines—critical for global brands or agencies serving international clients. - One platform, more value
The real efficiency gain is consolidation. Semify’s integration of Dragon Metrics helps reduce tool sprawl—something many agencies struggle with. It also aligns reporting and fulfillment in one workflow. - AI optimization isn’t just a buzzword
Semify isn’t using “AIO” as a catchphrase. They’re backing it with product investments, talent (Simon Lesser joining as CPO), and a clearer roadmap for AI-enhanced reporting and paid media execution.
