Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the essential elements of a digital marketing strategy. A solid SEO strategy helps brands build awareness, so experts in this field are always in demand.
Since SEO is not necessarily a skill you go to college for, how else can you learn it? The good news is that there are many SEO courses that experts have adequately structured to take you from clueless beginner to skilled specialist. While many of these courses are paid, some cost nothing and are perfect for SEO newbies looking to gain new skills.
In this post, we’ve curated the best free SEO training courses for 2024:
- Why should I take SEO training?
- Which schools provide the best free SEO training?
- Free SEO training: FAQs
- Next steps
Before we look at the courses in detail, let’s first consider why you should take SEO training.
1. Why should I take SEO training?
SEO is an art and a science with many elements. It demands that SEO specialists understand keyword research, know how to analyze search engine result pages, and have good (experience-borne) instincts about which keywords stand a chance of doing well.
These techniques are not talents that come intuitively, so you need to learn them. And with the ever-changing algorithm of search engines, you don’t ever stop learning SEO best practices.
2. Which schools provide the best free SEO training?
Many free SEO training courses are available on the internet today, but they’re not all equal. We don’t want you to waste hours taking a course that won’t make a difference, so here’s our round-up of the best free SEO courses. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s one tailored for you.
1. Digital Marketing for Beginners Course with CareerFoundry
Digital Marketing for Beginners Course with CareerFoundry at a glance:
- Ideal for: Beginners interested in digital marketing as a whole
- Duration: About 15 minutes a day, spread over 5 days
Who is it for?
Looking to get a holistic view of the digital marketing industry? In this course, you’ll get a great overview of the topics that digital marketing professionals deal with everyday—including SEO.
How does it work?
You’ll receive each module of the course via email, which will give you a bite-sized topic and task to complete. At the end of the course, you’ll have an opportunity to apply your knowledge in a final test. Should you attain a score of 70% or more, you’ll receive a discount for the full Digital Marketing Program!
How long does it take to complete?
You’ll receive an email once a day over the course of five days total. Each email will include a task that should take about 15 minutes to complete.
Check out the following video to learn more about the free course:
2. SEO Training Course with Ahrefs
SEO Training Course with Ahrefs at a glance:
- Ideal for: Beginners curious about the basics of SEO
- Duration: 2 hours across 4 modules
Who is it for?
This free SEO training course is perfect if you’re new to the field and need a quick start. It works for busy marketing professionals and small business owners who need an introduction to the world of SEO.
How does it work?
This training by Ahrefs uses video content divided into four modules to cover the different building blocks of SEO. The videos are value-packed and concise, so that every minute counts. The instructor shares practical tips you can immediately implement into your digital strategy.
How long does it take to complete?
The Ahrefs SEO course takes two hours to complete. It comprises four modules divided into 14 lessons.
3. SEO Training Course by Moz
SEO Training Course by Moz at a glance:
- Ideal for: Relative beginners and professionals
- Duration: 7 sections over approximately 3.5 hours
Who is it for?
This course is tailored to SEO beginners and experts who need some refreshing on best practices in the field.
How does it work?
The video course is presented on a whiteboard. It is fast-paced, so previous knowledge about some SEO practices will help you follow along better.
How long does it take to complete?
The training course by Moz will take about 3.5 hours to complete, so you can do it in a day or spread it over a few sessions.
4. SEO Unlocked with Neil Patel
SEO Unlocked with Neil Patel at a glance:
- Ideal for: SEO beginners
- Duration: 8 lessons over 7 weeks
Who is it for?
This course is a comprehensive training course covering SEO and content marketing basics. It is designed for an SEO beginner who is also new to content marketing.
How does it work?
SEO unlocked is a video-based course. It uses worksheets like the Personal Goal worksheet, a brief letter to yourself to stay committed to the course, and the Taskmaster sheet containing tasks across the different modules. The instructor provides extra resources through external links.
How long does it take to complete?
This course is divided into three phases, seven modules, and eight lessons, and it is estimated that you will complete it in seven weeks.
5. SEO Fundamental Course with Greg Gifford
SEO Fundamental Course with Greg Gifford at a glance:
- Ideal for: Beginners and intermediate practitioners
- Duration: 31 lessons over four hours
Who is it for?
This training course is best for you if you’re a beginner or have some experience, but need a refresher on best practices.
How does it work?
This course provides you with practical videos. The instructor also provides extra resources to give an in-depth view of each topic. There are quizzes that test your knowledge of the information shared in each lesson.
After completing the course, you can take the Semrush SEO fundamentals exam to get a free certification that proves your mastery in the field.
How long does it take to complete?
Semrush estimates that you can complete all 31 lessons in four hours. This timeline excludes the time it will take to read the additional materials.
6. SEO Certification Course by Hubspot
SEO Certification Course by Hubspot at a glance:
- Ideal for: Relative SEO beginners, which may include professionals like marketers and content creators
- Duration: Six lessons over 2.5 hours
Who is it for?
Hubspot’s SEO training is ideal for those that are new to the field.
How does it work?
The videos teach you various topics, from keyword research to website optimization. You’ll take five quizzes during the course to test your knowledge of the lessons.
How long does it take to complete?
This course does not require a lengthy commitment because it should take an estimated 2.5 hours to watch all 26 videos over the six lessons.
7. SEO for Beginners Training by Yoast
SEO for Beginners Training by Yoast at a glance:
- Ideal for: SEO beginners
- Duration: 20 lessons over two hours
Who is it for?
The Yoast SEO training course is a good match for those new to SEO who want to learn it to work professionally, or for their websites.
How does it work?
The videos available teach SEO basics, including how search engines work and how to optimize your website and content for ranking high. There is also the added benefit of understanding how the Yoast platform works and how to use it effectively in your SEO endeavors. When you’re done, you can test your knowledge with a quiz.
How long does it take to complete?
You can expect to complete watching the 20 bite-sized videos in approximately two hours.
8. Coursera Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization Course
Coursera Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization Course at a glance:
- Ideal for: Relative beginners
- Duration: 5 months, at 6 hours per week
Who is it for?
This course is best for you if you have relative experience in business but are new to SEO. It’s free to start with a Coursera free trial, but you’ll need a subscription after two weeks.
How does it work?
This specialization has five courses that teach topics ranging from Google as a search engine to optimizing content for Google. It includes practice quizzes to test your knowledge and suggested resources to supplement the course.
At the end of the specialization, you’ll need to complete a project to apply all you’ve learned so far. Coursera also offers financial aid for this course, so if you qualify, you can get a certificate at the end of the specialization at no extra cost.
How long does it take to complete?
At a pace of six hours per week, you will be able to complete the specialization in five months.
9. SEO Certification Course by eMarketing Institute
The SEO Certification Course by eMarketing Institute at a glance:
- Ideal for: Beginners
- Duration: Relative to reading speed
Who is it for?
This course is designed for beginners with no prior knowledge of SEO and who would not mind reading materials to learn.
How does it work?
This course is not the typical video course; it comes in the format of a 156-page e-book. At the end of the course, you will need to take an exam and score at least 50% to be eligible for the certificate.
How long does it take to complete?
The time it will take to complete the e-book depends on your reading pace.
3. Free SEO training: FAQs
To round up this article, here are answers to common questions you might have.
Why is SEO so important?
Utilizing SEO is a way to increase your visibility online. It helps you reach your target audience through organic search engine results. Without implementing SEO techniques and best practices—even with quality website content—you may as well be screaming into the void. To learn more about SEO, check out our definitive guide.
Is taking a free SEO training course worth it?
Yes, taking a free SEO training course is worth it. Some employers may not recognize the certificates, but there’s no question about how valuable the information you get is.
The most important thing about taking a course (whether paid or free) is applying your knowledge to your work; free courses typically have enough information to get you started.
What should I do once I’ve completed my free SEO training?
After completing your free SEO training, the next thing to do is practice what you’ve learned. If you want to work as an in-house professional, apply for internships or entry-level roles.
You can also start a website to help you gain experience that will increase your chances of getting hired. Experience is particularly important if you plan on freelancing.
4. Next steps
SEO professionals are in high demand, and you’re on the right path to taking courses to get skilled. In this article, we’ve checked out the top free SEO training courses, and there’s no excuse not to try one (or a few!) since they require various time commitments—from just a couple of hours to multiple days, weeks, and months.
The most important thing about taking a free course is the willingness to put it into practice. There’s a plethora of resources available on the internet to make you the SEO expert you desire. You should make good use of them.
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