Top SEO Training Courses for 2020: A Comprehensive Guide for U.S. Businesses

In 2020, digital marketers and business owners were increasingly focused on mastering SEO to improve their online visibility. With a range of training courses available, selecting the right one was essential for building strong SEO foundations and staying ahead of the competition. This article provides a detailed overview of some of the most relevant SEO training resources from 2020, with an emphasis on courses that cover on-page SEO, technical SEO, off-page strategies, and practical skills for local businesses.

Overview of SEO Training in 2020

The SEO training landscape in 2020 offered a wide variety of options, ranging from free courses for beginners to comprehensive paid programs for intermediate and advanced learners. These courses aimed to teach users how to optimize websites, conduct keyword research, build backlinks, and improve technical performance. The courses varied in length, format, and focus, with many offering certifications upon completion.

The data from the source materials shows that several courses stood out for their structured approach, expert instruction, and practical insights. Among them were offerings from SEMrush, Ahrefs, Udemy, and HubSpot, which provided both free and paid options.

Key Themes in 2020 SEO Training

Several recurring themes emerged in the 2020 SEO training courses:

Technical SEO: A strong emphasis was placed on technical aspects of SEO, such as site audits, crawlability, and page speed.
Keyword Research: Courses often included detailed modules on conducting keyword research and understanding search intent.
On-Page Optimization: Practical advice on optimizing content, meta tags, and internal linking was a common component.
Backlink Building: Given the difficulty of link building, several courses dedicated time to strategies for acquiring high-quality backlinks.
SEO Reporting: Many courses included lessons on how to measure and report on SEO performance using various tools.

These themes aligned with the needs of U.S. businesses, particularly those looking to improve their local search visibility and attract more organic traffic.

Free SEO Training Courses for 2020

1. SEO Fundamentals with Greg Gifford (SEMrush Academy)

One of the most comprehensive free courses in 2020 was the SEO Fundamentals Course with Greg Gifford, offered by SEMrush Academy. This course was designed to help learners understand the basics of SEO and how to drive traffic and customers to their websites. It was particularly useful for beginners and small business owners who wanted to improve their online presence.

The course included lessons on keyword research, on-page optimization, and technical SEO. At the end of the course, learners could take an exam to earn a certification. This made it an attractive option for those looking to build credibility in the field.

2. Keyword Research with Greg Gifford (SEMrush Academy)

Another free course from SEMrush Academy was the Keyword Research Course with Greg Gifford. This course focused on the fundamentals of keyword research, teaching learners how to find and use the right keywords to improve their website's search performance.

The course was ideal for individuals who wanted to develop a deeper understanding of how search engines work and how to use keyword data to create effective content strategies.

3. Technical SEO Course with Bastian Grimm (SEMrush Academy)

For those interested in the technical side of SEO, the Technical SEO Course with Bastian Grimm was a valuable resource. This course covered topics such as site audits, crawlability, and site performance. It was suitable for both beginners and those with some SEO experience.

At the end of the course, learners could take an exam to earn a certification. This made it a practical option for those looking to build technical SEO skills without incurring a cost.

4. HubSpot SEO Certification Course

The HubSpot SEO Certification Course was another popular free option in 2020. This course was designed for marketers and business owners who wanted to improve their site’s SEO. It covered the basics of SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and backlink building.

The course was structured into eight lessons and took approximately four hours to complete. It was suitable for beginners and intermediate learners who wanted to understand the fundamentals of SEO.

5. Ahrefs SEO Training Course

Ahrefs, a well-known SEO tool provider, offered a free SEO training course for beginners in 2020. The course covered the basics of SEO, including keyword research, page optimization, and technical SEO. It was designed to help users improve their search rankings and understand the fundamentals of SEO.

The course consisted of 14 lessons and took about two hours to complete. It was ideal for individuals who wanted to learn SEO from scratch and apply the knowledge to their own websites.

6. Yoast SEO Academy

The Yoast SEO Academy provided a free tier of SEO training for beginners. The course covered the foundation of SEO, including content and technical SEO. It was particularly useful for WordPress users who wanted to optimize their sites using the Yoast SEO plugin.

While the free version was not as in-depth as the paid options, it was a solid starting point for those new to SEO.

Paid SEO Training Courses for 2020

1. SEO 2020: Complete SEO Training + WordPress Websites

This course, titled SEO 2020: Complete SEO Training + SEO for WordPress Websites, was a comprehensive training program that covered over 40 SEO ranking factors. It included technical SEO, page speed, UX SEO, backlink SEO, keyword research, and WordPress training.

The course was 8.5 hours long and included 17 articles, downloadable resources, and assignments. Upon completion, learners received a certification. The course cost $199.99 and came with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. 2020 SEO Masterclass: Beginner to Advanced SEO

The 2020 SEO Masterclass was designed for entrepreneurs, bloggers, and website owners who wanted to grow through SEO. The course was led by an expert growth marketer with over 10 years of SEO experience.

The course covered how to utilize SEO for one's own website, get SEO traffic, and dominate Google search. It included over 30 video lectures and took about three hours to complete. The course cost $74.99 and also came with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. SEO Training Masterclass 2025 by Alex Genadinik

The SEO Training Masterclass 2025 by Alex Genadinik was one of the most comprehensive paid courses on Udemy in 2020. It was ideal for beginners and included over 280 video lectures across 44 sections.

The course was 18+ hours long and covered a wide range of topics, including SEO fundamentals, technical SEO, and on-page optimization. It also included dedicated sections on how to become a freelance SEO specialist or start an SEO agency.

After completing the course, learners received a certification that could be displayed on professional platforms. The course cost $109.99 and was highly rated by over 10,000 students.

4. Advanced SEO Course by Simplilearn

For those looking to become full-stack SEO professionals, the Advanced SEO Course by Simplilearn was a strong option. This course focused on advanced skills such as off-page optimization, content marketing strategy, and analytics.

The course was self-paced or instructor-led and included hands-on projects. It was suitable for intermediate learners who wanted to take their SEO skills to the next level.

5. Technical SEO Certification by Moz

The Technical SEO Certification by Moz was designed for those looking to move from beginner to intermediate in technical SEO. The course covered crawlability, indexability, and site performance.

It was a three-hour course with an additional final exam. The cost was $395, and it was ideal for individuals who wanted to focus on the technical side of SEO.

6. SEO Competitive Analysis Certification by Moz

Another offering from Moz was the SEO Competitive Analysis Certification, which was intended for intermediate to advanced SEO professionals. The course taught participants how to analyze competitors' on-page and off-page SEO strategies, conduct audits, and evaluate social media presence.

The course was on-demand and focused on practical skills for improving SEO performance through competitive analysis.

Key Takeaways for U.S. Businesses

For U.S. businesses, the SEO training landscape in 2020 offered a variety of options to suit different needs and skill levels. Free courses from platforms like SEMrush Academy, HubSpot, and Ahrefs provided solid foundations in SEO fundamentals. Paid courses from Udemy and Simplilearn offered more in-depth training for those looking to specialize or build a career in SEO.

The courses emphasized practical skills such as keyword research, technical audits, and backlink building—skills that were essential for improving search rankings and driving organic traffic. For local businesses, these skills were particularly valuable in improving local search visibility and attracting nearby customers.

Conclusion

In 2020, the availability of both free and paid SEO training courses allowed individuals and businesses to develop the necessary skills to improve their online presence. Courses from SEMrush, Ahrefs, Udemy, and HubSpot were among the most popular and effective options. These courses covered a range of topics, from SEO fundamentals to technical SEO, and provided certifications that added credibility to learners' skills.

For U.S. businesses, the key was to select a course that aligned with their goals and learning style. Whether the goal was to improve search rankings, build backlinks, or conduct technical audits, there was a course available to meet those needs.