The surprising SEO benefits of winning an award
April 7, 2026
Don’t Panic are the company behind a wide range of awards, from the Northern Digital Awards to the APAC Search Awards and UK Company Culture Awards. We asked Nicky Wake Founder, Don’t Panic’s founder, to give us an insight into the benefits of awards, from an organiser’s point of view.
The power of a well-earned award: the real story behind Don’t Panic celebrations
At Don’t Panic, we live to create event experiences that celebrate the people, teams and innovations driving industries forward. From digital excellence to brand brilliance, our award programmes are built on trust, transparency and true value.
What makes a Don’t Panic Award different?
It starts with integrity. Every Don’t Panic Award is independently judged by industry professionals, picked for their expertise, impartiality, and passion for recognising genuine achievement. Our team work closely with our judges to ensure the process is rigorous and free from bias.
We are proud to hold the Awards Trust Mark, a recognised standard that certifies our commitment to best practice in judging, transparency, and governance. This accreditation means that entrants can be confident that every shortlist, every winner and every trophy has been earned through innovative thinking, hard work and industry merit alone.
Richard Gregory, a judge across multiple awards, says: “The judging process at Don’t Panic is reassuringly robust and authentic. It’s not about who you know, it’s about what you’ve achieved. The team really takes impartiality seriously. They ensure there are no conflicts of interest on the judging panels, and every entry is judged purely on its merits. I also appreciate how carefully they handle confidentiality; all the data and supporting materials are kept completely private, which gives entrants real confidence in the process.”
Why enter an award?
For teams and companies considering entering, the simple answer is – industry recognition makes the difference. Awards raise your profile, impress on pitches, and are the foundation for a culture that strives to lead.
Past winners often tell us that a Don’t Panic trophy lead to new opportunities, inspired collaborations, sparked innovation and elevated brand visibility. This is confirmed by Alex Tkacovs, Founder and CEO of 94N. “The awards gave us a stronger position. When people arrive already trusting your capabilities, the sales process becomes a lot more natural.”
When it comes to attracting talent and new hires, awards can also play their part. Nathan Davies, a senior digital strategist at SIXGUN, puts it like this: “Weighing up agencies to join, I’ve worked with enough over the years to know the difference between a ‘proper’ agency and the ones just existing on hype. Seeing SIXGUN winning APAC Search Awards and getting that industry recognition was a real signal that they weren’t one of the latter. It showed me they were transparent about their work and had the credibility to match. That mattered a lot in my decision.”
The magic of being in the room
No matter how digital the world becomes, there is nothing quite like being in the room on awards night. The buzz of anticipation, the sparkle of success, the spontaneous celebrations and crazy dancing are always a reminder that we’re all part of something bigger.
Attending the ceremony is obviously about the anticipation of winning and collecting the trophy, but it’s also about building your network and community. Win or lose, it’s the conversations that happen around the table, the shared laughter, and the inspiration that flows when bright minds come together. Every event is a buzz of shared knowledge, connection and celebration. As hosts, we feel the energy ripple through the room, and we know it continues when the event is over.
At Don’t Panic, we believe that celebrating excellence brings people closer, whether you are an entrant, a finalist, a winner or a supporter. Be a part of that experience. If your team had done work worth shouting about this year, download an entry form and put your work forward.
The only thing better than doing great work? Being recognised for it!
