The 2026 Agency Index Updated October 14, 2026
NP Digital leads Single Grain by 0.6 points. Both agencies are scored on the same four checks, with the evidence behind every number.
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Each check is scored from 0 to 10. The note under each score names the evidence behind it.
Single Grain6/10
Twenty case studies on 13 named clients, six with time frames, such as a 65% revenue gain for Learning A-Z in 2024. Only 12 Clutch reviews, and some totals do not reconcile.
NP Digital8/10
More than a dozen named-client results with numbers, plus award wins for named client campaigns from 2020 to 2025, such as Best SEO Campaign at the 2025 OMMA Awards for RefiJet. Most case figures carry no date range, and Clutch holds only 19 reviews.
Single Grain5/10
A remote team of about 60 with senior strategists as the stated contact, but the pages we checked name no account leads and give no delivery timeline.
NP Digital4/10
More than 1,000 staff work through regional teams and account directors, and the site does not say how senior the hands-on staff are. No onboarding timeline is published.
Single Grain9/10
Publishes AI citation results for named clients, such as SmartRent's AI Overview citations rising from 64 to 96, and describes a five-step AEO method. Dates and the tracking tool are rarely stated.
NP Digital9/10
A defined AEO and GEO service with AI visibility tracking and published named-client results, such as a 4,540% rise in AI Overview citations for Vinyl Institute. The results carry no baselines or dates.
Single Grain7/10
Named CEO and executives, an active California LLC, and a daily podcast with more than 1,200 Apple ratings, but only 12 Clutch reviews and addresses that differ across sources.
NP Digital8/10
Named founders and executives, a Las Vegas office, a legal entity named in federal court records, and trade press on a 2026 Ad Age award. A pending FTX bankruptcy suit and a 3.5 Trustpilot score weigh on the record.
| Single Grain | NP Digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Index rank | No. 12 of 19 | No. 5 of 19 |
| Overall score | 6.6 out of 10 | 7.2 out of 10 |
| Type | Full-service | Full-service |
| Location | Miami, Florida, USA | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Founded | 2009 | 2017 |
| Team | 60 on Built In | 1,000+ (company-reported) |
| Client focus | Startups, Mid-market, Enterprise, B2B | Enterprise, Mid-market, Small business, Ecommerce |
| Services | SEO, AI search, PPC, Paid social, CRO, Content, Email | SEO, AI search, PPC, Paid social, Content, Social media, Email, CRO |
| Best for | Venture-backed startups and mid-sized companies with projects of $10,000 or more that want paid media, CRO, and AI citation work from a remote team. | Large and mid-sized brands that want one agency to run SEO, AI search, and paid media across several countries and can fund a multi-team account. |
| Last verified | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 |
NP Digital has the stronger record on our four checks, with an overall score of 7.2 out of 10. It leads on proof and accountability.
Single Grain leads on senior attention. Pick it if that check matters most for the work you need done. The two agencies tie on AI search.
Both scores use the same four checks and weights: proof of results (35%), senior attention and speed (25%), AI search readiness (20%), and accountability and identity (20%). A higher score means a stronger public record. It does not rate price or contract terms, so get those in writing from both agencies.
Single Grain is a remote-first digital marketing agency with a Miami address, led by CEO Eric Siu. It runs SEO, paid media, CRO, and AI search work for venture-backed startups and larger companies.
Best for Venture-backed startups and mid-sized companies with projects of $10,000 or more that want paid media, CRO, and AI citation work from a remote team.
Read the full Single Grain profileNP Digital is a global digital marketing agency co-founded by Neil Patel in 2017, with its listed head office in Las Vegas. It sells SEO, AI search, paid media, content, and creative work to large brands, and its NP Accel division serves small and midsize businesses.
Best for Large and mid-sized brands that want one agency to run SEO, AI search, and paid media across several countries and can fund a multi-team account.
Read the full NP Digital profileNP Digital scores higher in our 2026 index, 7.2 to 6.6 out of 10, and wins two of the four criteria. A higher score means a stronger public record, not a better fit for every business. Compare the best-for notes, then ask both agencies for case studies from businesses like yours.
The widest gap is proof of results. NP Digital scores 8 out of 10 there and Single Grain scores 6. That check carries 35% of the overall score.
Both agencies get the same four checks, each scored from 0 to 10: proof of results (35%), senior attention and speed (25%), AI search readiness (20%), and accountability and identity (20%). The overall score is the weighted total. Each agency profile links the public sources behind its scores.
Ask both agencies who will do the work each week, and ask for case studies with numbers and dates. Then ask for the minimum term and who owns the site, the ad accounts, and the data if you leave. Get each answer in writing.
