The availability of free Search Engine Optimization (SEO) courses presents opportunities for individuals and businesses to enhance their online visibility. Several providers offer courses ranging in length and specialization, catering to beginners and those seeking to refine specific skills. These courses cover foundational SEO principles, technical aspects, keyword research, and content optimization. Several courses offer certificates upon completion.
Course Overviews
Several organizations provide free SEO courses. Semrush Academy offers an SEO Crash Course with Brian Dean, designed for beginners and site owners. This course, lasting approximately 50 minutes, focuses on a step-by-step system for improving Google rankings. The course covers search engine basics, keyword research, content creation, link building, and results tracking. Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko, instructs the course.
Yoast offers multiple free courses, including SEO for Beginners, Yoast SEO for WordPress plugin training, WordPress for beginners training, Block editor training, and Structured data for beginners training. The SEO for Beginners course, which can be completed in under two hours, covers the fundamentals of SEO, content SEO, and technical SEO. Completion of Yoast courses results in a certificate and badge.
Ahrefs provides courses on Keyword Research (2 hours), and Technical SEO (1 hour 21 minutes). The Keyword Research course focuses on identifying targeted keywords, analyzing search intent, and finding low-competition keywords. The Technical SEO course covers site audits, page speed optimization, and resolving technical issues.
Google Skillshop offers a free course covering how to get started with search, make search work for you, get discovered with search, and help people nearby find you online. The University of California, Davis, through Coursera, offers a Google SEO Fundamentals course, which is more extensive (28 hours) and covers competitive analysis, brand recognition, sitemaps, and SEO tools.
Blue Array provides a 7-hour course instructed by Damion Edwards, geared towards beginner to intermediate learners.
Course Content Specializations
The available courses demonstrate specialization within the broader field of SEO. Some courses focus on foundational knowledge, while others delve into specific areas.
Keyword research is a dedicated focus of the Ahrefs Keyword Research course. This course addresses keyword selection, search intent analysis, and identifying keywords with lower competition.
Technical SEO is another area of specialization, addressed by Ahrefs’ Technical SEO course. This course covers site audits, page speed optimization, and troubleshooting technical issues impacting search rankings.
Yoast’s offerings include a focus on utilizing the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress, providing training on setup and usage to simplify SEO implementation. Structured data training is also available through Yoast.
Google’s course covers a broad range of topics, including how to connect with customers online and improve SEO, as well as online advertising.
Course Length and Level
Course durations vary significantly. The Semrush SEO Crash Course is the shortest, at 50 minutes. Yoast’s SEO for Beginners course can be completed in under two hours. Ahrefs’ courses range from 1 hour 21 minutes to 2 hours. The University of California, Davis course is the most time-consuming, requiring 28 hours.
Course levels also vary. Most courses are designed for beginners, while some, like the Ahrefs Technical SEO course and the Blue Array course, cater to beginner to intermediate learners. Yoast’s courses are geared towards beginners.
Certification and Recognition
Several courses offer certificates upon completion. Semrush’s SEO Crash Course provides a certificate. Yoast provides both a certificate and a badge that can be displayed on websites or professional profiles. The Yoast badge is only awarded to those who complete the course.
Course Provider Expertise
The course providers demonstrate varying levels of expertise and recognition within the SEO industry. Brian Dean, the instructor for the Semrush course, is the founder of Backlinko and has been featured in publications like Forbes, TechCrunch, and Entrepreneur. Joost de Valk, the instructor for Yoast’s courses, is the founder of Yoast. Yoast is identified as the creator of the #1 SEO plugin for WordPress worldwide, with over 100 years of combined WordPress experience. Companies such as Facebook, eBay, and The Guardian reportedly rely on Yoast for their SEO strategies. Ahrefs is a recognized provider of SEO tools and resources. Google, as the search engine itself, offers insights into SEO best practices.
Conclusion
Free SEO courses provide accessible opportunities for individuals and businesses to develop essential skills for improving online visibility. The courses available cover a range of topics, from foundational SEO principles to specialized areas like keyword research and technical SEO. Course lengths and levels vary, allowing learners to choose options that align with their experience and goals. Several providers offer certifications upon completion, providing recognition of acquired knowledge.