Learning SEO can be one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing for increasing website traffic, but it can also be one of the most daunting and confusing concepts to learn as a beginner.
Fortunately, there are many free SEO certification courses and online SEO training tools to help beginners get started by sacrificing only effort and time.
However, deciding which of the hundreds of online SEO education options to choose can seem difficult.
5 best SEO courses for blogs monetized with AdSense:
These free SEO certificates and free SEO training courses will help you build a solid foundation in SEO, as well as master the specialties within SEO: keyword research, technical SEO, UX, backlink building, and much more.
All 5 courses are from renowned providers, respected throughout the search marketing industry, and offer up-to-date knowledge that is worth the time spent studying.
We'll finish with over 25 additional tools and courses in digital marketing, design, advanced SEO, and much more. With this list, you'll build vast experience in SEO and digital marketing, all for free, without paying a single cent.
The 5 Best Free SEO Certification Courses
- Google Analytics Academy and Google Analytics IQ certification
- Coursera – SEO Specialization and Certification Series
- Free SEO Certification Course
- ClickMinded – SEO Training Fundamentals
- HubSpot SEO training course, content marketing certification, and inbound marketing certification
What is an SEO certificate and why might you need one?
SEO is one of the most popular areas of digital marketing right now, and will be for the foreseeable future. But why should you get an SEO certification?
For a structured learning experience, and a little more, to begin with.
Knowledge about SEO is available all over the internet, but it can be difficult for a beginner to research all the separate ideas in SEO and put them into a solid SEO plan.
Similar to the free SEO courses on this list, SEO certifications add structure to learning the fundamentals of SEO and then add a little more where that's a course, an internship, or a guided exercise to apply your knowledge
To demonstrate knowledge of industry standard tools and practices.
There are many different ways to approach SEO, but completing a course and taking a certification test from one of the SEO industry giants like Google, Moz, or SEMRush shows that you have experience with the industry's leading tools, such as Google Analytics, search analytics software, or inbound marketing approaches.
While these certifications alone are rarely enough to land a job, they demonstrate that you are actively studying and working in important areas of the industry
Is having an SEO certificate really worth it?
If the certified course is free and from a reliable and experienced source (like those on this list), then yes.
Keep in mind that if you've been successfully working with SEO for 3 months or more, you'll need a more robust course or one that delves into a specific SEO specialization (i.e., keyword research, technical SEO, speed optimization, etc.) to make the course worthwhile. We've highlighted courses for intermediate-level SEOs and SEO specializations below.
If you're a blogger working through a website or your own boss, an SEO certification might not necessarily be beneficial for you… beyond the knowledge it provides.
However, if you're just starting out in SEO, or have decided to learn and don't know where to begin, this structured learning experience can still be valuable, and all the certifications and courses below provide a high-quality structured learning experience.
How should you approach your SEO certification and training courses?
Take a certification course in the basics first for a structured learning experience, then continue with the free training courses to cover specific domains
We recommend pursuing a certification course as a foundation of knowledge, primarily for a structured learning experience. Then, proceed with free SEO training courses to expand your knowledge in individual domains (i.e., keyword research, technical SEO, mobile-first optimization, etc.).
The 5 Best Free SEO Certification Courses
All the free SEO certification courses that follow are high-quality, up-to-date, and well-structured to ensure a great learning experience.
Furthermore, each certifying organization is respected in the SEO industry for the knowledge it routinely delivers to the community, ensuring that you are learning what everyone needs to know.
- Google Analytics Academy | Google Analytics IQ Certification
Ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to use the most powerful free search tool
Through Google Analytics Academy, for beginners, advanced users, and power users, you'll learn everything you need to know about SEO and search analytics from the biggest name in the industry – Google
After completing the preparatory coursework and a series of videos, you will be able to take the 1-hour certification exam at Skill Shop. The certification is valid for one year
Google Analytics is the most accurate and effective search data and search results tool in the SEO industry. Although the Google Analytics dashboard only shows your data (and not your competitor's data), understanding your website's search performance (strengths and weaknesses) is more powerful than analyzing your competitors.
- CURSERA – SEO SPECIALIZATION COURSE VIA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
For those who desire a traditional higher education level learning experience
The Coursera SEO Specialization series is a series of 5 courses with culminating exercises; this SEO certification is offered by traditional universities and managed by UC Davis
Ideal for those who wish to list their training on a resume and those who want a structured SEO education like traditional education, including academic-style theory and practice
- FREE SEO CERTIFICATION COURSE
This beginner certification consists of reading a free 150-page ebook on SEO and then taking the free certification exam. If you are already familiar with SEO, I recommend taking the exam first to see if the ebook will be worth your time
Learn more on the homepage of the eMarketing Institute's free certification course
After completing the basic certification, the eMarketing Institute has many free ebooks about SEO.
See some tips:
- CLICKMINDED – SEO TRAINING FUNDAMENTALS
For those who prefer video courses and want a certification to share on LinkedIn
A video-heavy course followed by an exam to receive a certification that showcases perfectly on your LinkedIn profile. Click Minded's SEO course focuses more on SEO as part of a holistic digital marketing strategy and is better suited for those doing SEO for a larger company (and marketing team) than for bloggers.
- Hubspot SEO, Content Marketing, and Inbound Marketing Training Course
For: SEO is creating an SEO strategy as part of a broader digital marketing strategy focused on inbound marketing for a company
HubSpot is a pioneer in inbound marketing and focuses on SEO within that context. If you're learning SEO to empower a business as part of a cohesive digital marketing strategy, HubSpot's course is designed for you.
HubSpot offers these three courses and certifications for free, so choose this option if the course package aligns with your goals
