What are some online courses for learning SEO?

There are a lot of high-quality online courses that can help you learn SEO, whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your expertise. These courses vary in depth, pricing, and focus areas, so you can choose one that aligns with your goals. Here are some of the best online SEO courses:

1. Google’s Digital Garage – Fundamentals of Digital Marketing

Platform: Google Digital Garage
Duration: 40 hours (self-paced)
Description: This free course provides an introduction to digital marketing, including SEO, SEM, and social media. While it's not entirely SEO-focused, it covers essential SEO concepts and strategies.
Why Take It: Great for beginners, and it’s offered by Google, so it gives you a solid foundation in digital marketing, including SEO.
Cost: Free
Link: Google Digital Garage

2. Moz Academy

Platform: Moz Academy
Duration: Varies (from a few hours to several days)
Description: Moz is one of the most reputable names in SEO, and their academy offers several in-depth courses, including ones focused on SEO fundamentals, keyword research, technical SEO, link building, and more.
Why Take It: Moz is well-known for its SEO tools, and these courses are designed by leading experts. They offer beginner to advanced-level content.
Cost: Moz frequently offers discounts or free access to certain courses (usually around $99–$149 per course).
Link: Moz Academy

3. Yoast SEO Academy

Platform: Yoast Academy
Duration: Varies (from short courses to full certifications)
Description: Yoast is one of the leading SEO plugins for WordPress, and their academy offers various courses on topics such as SEO basics, technical SEO, content SEO, and advanced SEO strategies.
Why Take It: Yoast's courses are well-regarded for their practical, hands-on approach, particularly for WordPress users.
Cost: Free for basic courses; Premium courses range from $99–$500.
Link: Yoast Academy

4. Coursera – SEO Specialization by UC Davis

Platform: Coursera
Duration: Approx. 6 months (at 5 hours per week)
Description: This SEO specialization is designed by the University of California, Davis, and includes a series of courses that cover SEO fundamentals, keyword research, on-page SEO, technical SEO, and SEO strategies.
Why Take It: It's a comprehensive, university-backed SEO course that provides a deep understanding of SEO practices.
Cost: Free to audit; $49/month for certification.
Link: Coursera SEO Specialization

5. SEMrush Academy

Platform: SEMrush Academy
Duration: Varies (from a few hours to several days)
Description: SEMrush is a leading SEO tool, and its academy offers free courses on topics like SEO basics, content marketing, link building, and how to use SEMrush tools effectively.
Why Take It: It's an excellent resource for both beginners and advanced SEO professionals, especially if you're using SEMrush for your SEO strategy.
Cost: Free
Link: SEMrush Academy

6. Ahrefs Academy

Platform: Ahrefs Academy
Duration: Varies (each course is a few hours long)
Description: Ahrefs, one of the best SEO tools out there, offers a selection of free courses that cover SEO basics, link building, keyword research, and content marketing strategies.
Why Take It: Ahrefs is known for its powerful SEO tools, and their courses are highly practical, especially if you plan to use their platform.
Cost: Free
Link: Ahrefs Academy

7. The SEO Playbook by Brian Dean (Backlinko)

Platform: Backlinko (Brian Dean’s Blog)
Duration: Varies (self-paced)
Description: Brian Dean of Backlinko is one of the leading SEO experts. The SEO Playbook offers free, high-quality tutorials on SEO basics, advanced link-building tactics, content optimization, and other key strategies.
Why Take It: Brian’s actionable tips and unique strategies have made Backlinko one of the most trusted resources in the SEO community.
Cost: Free
Link: Backlinko SEO Playbook

8. LinkedIn Learning – SEO Foundations

Platform: LinkedIn Learning
Duration: 3 hours
Description: This is a great beginner-level SEO course that teaches the fundamentals of SEO, including keyword research, on-page SEO, and optimizing a website for search engines.
Why Take It: If you already have a LinkedIn Learning account, it’s an easy way to get started with SEO.
Cost: Free with LinkedIn Learning subscription ($29.99/month, or free trial available).
Link: LinkedIn Learning – SEO Foundations

9. HubSpot Academy – SEO Training Course

Platform: HubSpot Academy
Duration: 4 hours
Description: HubSpot offers a free SEO training course that covers how search engines work, keyword research, optimizing your site for SEO, and measuring results. It's a great introduction to SEO.
Why Take It: HubSpot is known for its inbound marketing expertise, and this course is well-suited for those who want to align SEO with broader content marketing efforts.
Cost: Free
Link: HubSpot Academy SEO Course

10. Udemy – The Complete SEO Course by Udemy

Platform: Udemy
Duration: 10–12 hours
Description: Udemy offers a variety of SEO courses, but one of the most popular is "The Complete SEO Course" by Daragh Walsh. This course is a comprehensive guide to SEO that includes both on-page and off-page SEO, keyword research, link building, and more.
Why Take It: Udemy’s courses are well-structured and come with lifetime access. They also often offer deep discounts, making them an affordable way to learn SEO.
Cost: $10–$100 (varies with discounts)
Link: Udemy SEO Courses

11. DistilledU

Platform: DistilledU
Duration: Varies (self-paced)
Description: DistilledU offers high-quality training in SEO, with courses focused on technical SEO, content marketing, and link building. They provide interactive learning modules and are known for their in-depth, expert-level content.
Why Take It: This platform is ideal for those looking to dive deeper into technical aspects of SEO, and it’s created by one of the leading SEO agencies.
Cost: Starts at $249/year
Link: DistilledU

How to Choose the Right SEO Course for You:

For Beginners: Start with free courses like Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, or LinkedIn Learning. These will give you a good understanding of SEO fundamentals.
For Intermediate Learners: If you already know some SEO basics, consider courses from SEMrush Academy, Moz Academy, or Ahrefs Academy to dive deeper into specific SEO techniques and strategies.
For Advanced Learners: If you're an SEO professional looking to refine your skills, consider more advanced platforms like DistilledU or taking specializations offered on Coursera or Udemy.
For Practical, Hands-On Learning: If you prefer more practical, tool-based training, look into courses offered by SEMrush, Moz, Ahrefs, or Yoast Academy. These will teach you how to use specific tools to optimize your website.

By selecting the course that best aligns with your current skill level and learning goals, you'll be able to build a solid foundation and gradually advance your SEO expertise.