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 with just the effort and time they need.
However, deciding which of the hundreds of online SEO education options to choose from can seem daunting.
5 best SEO courses for blog monetized on Adsense:
These free SEO certificates and free SEO course trainings will help you build a solid foundation in SEO, as well as master specialties within SEO keyword research, technical SEO, UX, backlink building, and more.
All 5 courses are from reputable providers, respected throughout the search marketing industry and offer up-to-date knowledge that is worth sacrificing the study time for.
We'll end with over 25 additional tools and courses on digital marketing, design, advanced SEO, and more. With this list, you'll build a wealth of experience in SEO and digital marketing at its best, all without having to pay a dime, all for free.
TOP 5 FREE SEO CERTIFICATION COURSES
- Google Analytics Academy and Google Analytics IQ Certification
- Coursera – SEO Specialization Course Series and Certification
- org 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 hottest areas of digital marketing right now, and will be for the foreseeable future. But why should you get an SEO certification?
For the structured learning experience, and a little more, to get started.
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, internship, or 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 you 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 trusted and experienced source (like the ones on this list), then yes.
Keep in mind that if you’ve been working successfully with SEO for 3 months or more, you’ll need a more robust course or one that delves deeper into an 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 specialties below.
If you’re a blogger working through a website or your own boss, an SEO certification may not necessarily be beneficial to you… beyond the knowledge it provides.
However, if you are just starting out in SEO, or have decided to learn and have nowhere to start, this structured learning experience can still be valuable and all of 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 on the basics first for a structured learning experience, then continue with free training courses to cover specific domains
We recommend pursuing a certification course as a foundation of knowledge primarily for the structured learning experience. Then, move on to free SEO training courses to expand your knowledge in individual domains (i.e. keyword research, technical SEO, mobile-first optimization, etc.).
TOP 5 FREE SEO CERTIFICATION COURSES
All of the free SEO certification courses below are high-quality, up-to-date, and well-structured to ensure a great learning experience.
Additionally, each certifying organization is respected in the SEO industry for the knowledge they routinely deliver to the community, ensuring that you are learning what everyone needs to know.
- ANALYTICS ACADEMY BY GOOGLE | GOOGLE ANALYTICS IQ CERTIFICATION
Ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to use the most powerful free research tool
Through Google's 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 course work, a series of videos will allow you to take the 1-hour certification exam in the 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. While the Google Analytics dashboard only shows your data (and not your competitor’s data), understanding your site’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 want a traditional higher education level learning experience
The Coursera SEO Specialization series is a series of 5 courses with culminating exercises, this SEO certification provided by traditional universities and managed by UC Davis
Ideal for those who want to list their training on a resume and those who want an SEO education structured like traditional education, including academic-style theory and practice
- ORG 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 familiar with SEO, I recommend taking the exam first to see if the eBook is worth your time.
Learn more on the eMarketing Institute's free certification course homepage
Once you complete the basic certification, the eMarketing Institute has many free eBooks on SEO.
Here are 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 earn a certification that displays beautifully on your LinkedIn profile. Click Minded’s SEO course focuses more on SEO as part of a holistic digital marketing strategy and is more suited to those doing SEO for a larger company (and marketing team) than bloggers.
- HUBSPOT SEO, CONTENT MARKETING AND INBOUND MARKETING TRAINING COURSE
For: SEO is creating an SEO strategy as part of a broader, inbound-focused digital marketing strategy for a company
Hubspot is an innovator of inbound marketing and focuses on the topic of 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 for you.
Hubspot offers these three courses and certifications for free, so choose this option if the course bundle fits your goals.
