The Tech 200 ranks companies not based on overall revenue, but on sales growth between 2008 and 2010. Congrats to the following search marketing-related companies that we’ve spotted on the Tech 200:

• Slingshot SEO
• HubSpot
• SEOmoz
• Increase Visibility
• Yodle
• MediaTrust
• Fathom
• Covario
• eZanga
• Wpromote
• Location 3 Media

To be considered for inclusion, companies must submit their data to Lead411; there’s no cost to apply for consideration on the annual list. (If we missed any, please let us know in the comments.)

SEO: One Of Highest ROI Tactics

As part of this year’s list, Lead411 surveyed the companies to find out how they’ve grown their businesses. Although the respondents collectively spend only 13% of their marketing budgets on SEO, it was listed as one of the highest ROI tactics behind email marketing and trade shows, and more than double traditional advertising.

SEO was also the second-most popular tactic in use by these companies, with 74% saying they have budget set aside for SEO efforts. Public relations came in first, with 82% saying they include that in their budgets.

• Best Search Engine
• Best Reference Site
• Best Movie/Video Site
• Best Family and Kids Site
• Best Shopping Site
• Best Productivity/Web Tool Site
• Best Humor/Game Site
• Best News Site
• Best Music Site
• Best Social Media Site

Nominations will be open until Feb. 4, and voting will run from Feb. 11 through March 8, with winners announced March 15. More on the awards here, or go directly to nomination form.

First, SEOmoz has announced the 2010 SEO Industry Survey — an update of the industry survey they first did in 2008. There are questions about the types of services you provide, which services are more or less in demand now, your background and training in search marketing, what SEO and social strategies and tactics you use, and so forth.

You can take the survey here. It took me about 10 minutes to complete. You don’t have to reveal your identity, but you can provide an email address at the end if you want a chance to win an iPad or some other prizes. The survey will be open for one month.

Second, Search & Social has launched the 2010 Search & Social Awards, which are similar to the awards that Loren Baker used to run on Search Engine Journal. In these awards, you’ll be voting in categories such as Best SEO Blog, Best PPC Blog, Best Blog About Twitter, and even Best Hair in SEO (for real).

Voting is open until May 1st, so you only have about 10 days to vote. Plan on spending about 10 minutes here, too. Winners will be announced at the upcoming Search & Social Spring Summit in Tampa, Florida.

I should mention that Search Engine Land is nominated in the Best SEO Blog and Best Search News Blog categories. Our sister site, Sphinn is nominated in the Best Search Marketing Community category.

For the second year, in conjunction with Marin Software, SMX is offering the Biggest Search Geek contest. Marin’s assembled a list of 20 challenging questions. Get them right — and faster than anyone else — and you’ll be making your way to SMX West, all expenses paid. Flight, hotel, conference ticket — all’s covered.

The winner also gets their 15 minutes of fame. There’s an awards ceremony on stage during the morning of the second day of SMX West.

So, what are you waiting for. There’s still time to enter!

• Search geeks on average are about 30 years old, with 5 years of SEM experience
• Over 40% came to search marketing from another profession altogether—law, finance, biotech and even songwriting!
• Over 25% of Search Geeks have an advanced degree
• This year’s contest has seen a increase in the number of female geeks over last year, from 20% to 28%. Last year’s winner, Keri Morgret, is a woman.

Want to pit your wits against other search geeks? Winner will receive a free trip for two to SMX West, an award on stage presented by Danny Sullivan with nationwide recognition. Don’t delay—enter the “Biggest Search Geek” contest today!

The nomination categories include SEO, PPC, Small Business, Local Search, Google, Blogs & Blogging, Link Building, Social Media, Analytics, Search Tech, Rants, Online Marketing, Reputation Management, Viral Marketing, Design & Usability, Industry, & Copywriting.

Here is the timeline of how and when the winners and finalists will be announced:

• January 13: 2010 nominees are posted
• January 20: Judges’ deadline to decide category finalists
• January 25: 2010 finalists posted; public voting begins
• January 29: Public voting closes
• February 1: Winners announced

If you were nominated, you can grabe your badge from the SEMMYS.org web site.

We’re looking forward to crowning the “Biggest Search Geek” and working with contest sponsor Marin Software for the second year in a row. The SMX Biggest Search Geek Contest tests you with 20 questions about search marketing, on both paid and organic aspects of our favorite topic.

It’s an online contest, and you should be able to fly through it if you really know your stuff. To win, you’ve got to answer the most questions correctly in the least amount of time.

Winners get round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and a full conference pass to SMX West. SMX co-chair Danny Sullivan will present the winner with an award on stage at the show. The top 10 percent answering correctly will also get accolades on Marin’s site for all the world to see.

Think you’ve got the chops to best all your colleagues? Then click over to the Biggest Search Geek Contest and prove your mettle—and we look forward to seeing you on-stage at SMX West!

There are 21 multiple-choice questions, and if you get one wrong, you lose. The test is being timed, and the person who answers all the questions correctly in the shortest amount of time, wins. You can win a $50 Amazon.com or iTunes (U.S.), or $50 via Paypal.

I personally took the quiz and made it through the whole test without a mistake, I believe. I just don’t think I did it fast enough, because I got a phone call while taking it. I did find the questions enjoyable and some to be challenging, but overall it was fun.

Want a free ticket to our upcoming SMX West search marketing conference this Feb. 10-12, complete with hotel and airfare? Marin Software‘s got a package for you to win, if you’re geek enough. Biggest Search Geek enough, that is.

The SMX Biggest Search Geek Contest by Marin Software tests you with 20 questions about search marketing. I’ve contributed a few of them on the organic search side, and there’s a good dose from the paid search side of the house.

To win, you’ve got to answer the most questions correctly in the least amount of time. Winners get round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and a full conference pass to SMX West. I’ll also be presenting the winner with an award on stage at the show. The top 10 percent answering correctly will also get a recognition award on Marin’s site.

Off you go — see if you’re the biggest search geek out there!