Discover the Best Online
SEO Courses of 2021
Search engine optimization, more commonly known as SEO, is a crucial process in digital marketing. Becoming an expert requires an understanding of content marketing, keyword research, and link building. Anyone can benefit from the best online SEO courses. If you want to learn more about this marketing strategy, check out the courses below.
What Is SEO?
SEO is the optimization of online content to reach more clients or customers. Websites use best SEO practices to rank first on major search engines. SEO experts use Google Analytics, website analytics, and SEO tools to drive organic traffic to websites.
Breakdown: The Top 15 Online SEO Courses
If you want to learn SEO or get an SEO specialization, attending an online course can help you. These courses range from advanced SEO practices to basic skills for beginners.
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Read the table below to learn the basics of the top 15 online SEO courses of 2021.
| Provider and Course | Certificate | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backlinko SEO That Works |
No | 4 weeks | $500 per month |
| The Blueprint Training SEO Course |
No | 12 weeks | $2,000 |
| ClickMinded SEO Course |
Yes | 6 hours | $1,000 |
| Coursera Google SEO Fundamentals |
Yes, for a fee of $50 | 4 weeks | Free |
| Coursera Introduction to Google SEO |
Yes, for a fee of $50 | 4 weeks | Free |
| Digital Marketing Institute Online Search Marketing Course (Professional Diploma) |
Yes | 30 hours | $1,370 |
| Distilled Search Engine Basics |
No | 3 hours | $40 per month |
| LinkedIn Learning Advanced SEO: Developing an SEO-Friendly Website |
No | 3 hours | $25 per month |
| Neil Patel SEO Unlocked |
No | 7 weeks | Free |
| Pluralsight SEO Fundamentals |
Yes | 3 hours | $300 per year |
| SEMrush Academy Content Marketing and SEO Fundamentals with Eric Enge |
Yes | 1 hour | Free |
| Simplilearn Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Training Course |
Yes | 4 hours | $400 per year |
| Udemy Beginner Local SEO | The Foundations of What Google Wants |
Yes | 1 hour | $20 |
| Udemy SEO Training Course by Moz |
No | 3.5 hours | Free |
| Yoast Online SEO Training |
No | 16 hours | Free |
What Can I Learn in an SEO Course?
In an SEO course, you will learn on-page, off-page, and technical SEO. These topics include understanding link building, creating HTML tags, and performing effective keyword research. You’ll also learn about quality content, SEO jobs, and how to ace your job interview.
The Best SEO Courses of 2021
You should choose a course that provides SEO training suited to your needs. Consider the course length and course content to get the best experience possible.
Below are the best SEO courses of 2021.
SEO That Works | Backlinko
Subjects Covered: Keyword research, link building, content optimization, SEO trends, writing frameworks
Taught by a global SEO expert, this course is perfect for beginners. Students have lifetime access to this course and can work at their own pace. The course also includes bonus material, including PR for small businesses, conversion rate optimization (CRO), email list building, and local SEO.
Key Takeaway: This course is a top choice for SEO training from a seasoned professional.
SEO Course | The Blueprint Training
Subjects Covered: Campaign onboarding, SEO analysis, competitive analysis, technical analysis, SEO reporting, target pages, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, technical SEO
Within this 12-week course, participants will learn advanced SEO concepts to improve both the SEO strategy and web traffic performance. This course covers enough concepts to allow you to confidently step into the SEO industry. You can pay the course fee in full, or you can pay $500 in five installments for a total of $2,500.
Key Takeaway: This course covers advanced SEO concepts that can help beginners or career-changers quickly progress into SEO job roles.
SEO Course | ClickMinded
Subjects Covered: SEO tools, SEO strategy, SEO for sales funnels, keyword research, content planning, search frameworks
ClickMinded’s SEO Course is ideal for both professionals and beginners. You should have basic digital marketing knowledge for this course. You’ll have lifetime access to the content with a 14-day money-back guarantee. You’ll also receive five free mini-courses: Local SEO, Shopify SEO, Pinterest SEO, YouTube SEO, and Amazon SEO.
Key Takeaway: The SEO Course by ClickMinded includes loads of additional resources to help you become an SEO expert.
Google SEO Fundamentals | Coursera
Subjects Covered: On-page SEO, off-page SEO, technical SEO, keyword theory and research, SEO analysis, SEO strategy
The SEO Fundamentals course on Coursera comes from UC Davis. Although the course content runs for four weeks, students can study at their own pace.
According to Coursera, 42 percent of course participants received a tangible career reward after completing this course, and 19 percent enjoyed a pay increase or promotion after this course.
Key Takeaway: Students receive ample free study material in this course, including practice quizzes, graded quizzes, and assignments with feedback.
Introduction to Google SEO | Coursera
Subjects Covered: Google SEO, SEO algorithms, SEO ranking factors, keyword research, keyword strategy, ideal buyer characteristics
Like the course above, UC Davis designed this SEO program. You need two years of experience in the field to get the most out of the instruction. Students can attend scheduled online classes or study at their own pace. You have four weeks of access to this course, but you can complete it within 20 hours. Over 180,000 students have enrolled so far.
Key Takeaway: This course focuses on teaching students SEO for all major search engines, not just Google.
Online Search Marketing Course | Digital Marketing Institute
Subjects Covered: Paid advertising, Google Analytics, display advertising, SEO strategy, keyword research, SEO trends, SEO best practices
You need professional experience to complete this online search marketing course. The certificate has been accredited by many organizations like Twitter, Google, and Facebook.
According to the Digital Marketing Institute, 81 percent of course participants received promotions after this course, and 92 percent say the course has positively impacted them.
Key Takeaway: This course is a great choice if you already work in the field and want to apply SEO principles to your current job.
Search Engine Basics | Distilled
Subjects Covered: History of search engines, the World Wide Web, indexing, crawling, SEO ranking factors
Designed to teach the fundamentals of search engines, this short course requires less than a full day’s work. Although you have to pay a subscription fee of $40 per month, you can check demos of each course before confirming the subscription. This will teach you the essentials of SEO. This would be a great place to start if you want to get a feel for SEO.
Key Takeaway: Students can try a demo before subscribing to the full version of this basic search engine course.
Advanced SEO: Developing an SEO-Friendly Website | LinkedIn Learning
Subjects Covered: Domains, URLs, HTML tags, indexing, crawling, Schema markup, structured data, website code optimization
This SEO course is ideal for intermediate learners. Within three hours, you’ll learn how to optimize page speed and work with Chrome Developer tools and extensions like Lighthouse. You will also get to grips with building keywords into your image alt texts. The monthly fee for this course is much more affordable than other courses and includes a free trial.
Key Takeaway: If you already know SEO basics, this course from LinkedIn Learning is a great next step.
SEO Unlocked | Neil Patel
Subjects Covered: Keyword research, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, SEO audit, content marketing, Google Analytics, Google Search Console tools
SEO Unlocked is led by an SEO expert, Neil Patel. Besides SEO, you’ll learn topics like creating high-converting content and using Google’s search tools to find search trends. This course is ideal for SEO newbies. You can complete this course in less than seven weeks. Neil Patel also offers useful resources like worksheets, course glossaries, and videos.
Key Takeaway: Not only does a seasoned SEO professional instruct this course, but it’s also completely free.
SEO Fundamentals | Pluralsight
Subjects Covered: Keyword research, domain strategy, on-page SEO, content marketing, link building
Instead of focusing on teaching multiple subjects, the SEO Fundamentals course expands on a key few. Pluralsight offers a ten-day free trial which is more than enough time to complete this three-hour course. This course will teach you the best content marketing techniques, how to create a strategy that works, and how to avoid SEO mistakes.
Key Takeaway: Rather than learning many subjects, students will learn extensive skills in a few key areas.
Content Marketing and SEO Fundamentals with Eric Enge | SEMrush Academy
Subjects Covered: Content marketing, guest posts, interviews, link building, types of content
Taught by another SEO expert, this one-hour course includes more than just SEO training. Participants will learn how to form strong industry relations, create content that sells, and direct pivotal interviews. You’ll learn from video sessions, and you can supplement them by reading additional material. On completion of the exam, you’ll earn an SEO certificate.
Key Takeaway: You will learn the basics of SEO as well as related subjects like marketing and public relations.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Training Course | Simplilearn
Subjects Covered: Keyword research, link building, technical SEO, SEO analytics, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, competitor intelligence, SEO tools
The SEO training course aims to develop beginners into full-stack SEO professionals. There are nine lessons covering keyword research, fail-proof SEO strategies, and 360-degree marketing plans. You’ll also learn to how use tools like Moz, SEMrush, SpyFu, and Majestic. You don’t need experience, but you should have basic HTML and Microsoft Office skills.
Key Takeaway: To help you prepare for the certification exam, you will undertake a practice exam test. You can also choose to join the live classes or study independently.
Beginner Local SEO | The Foundations of What Google Wants | Udemy
Subjects Covered: SEO campaign, Google My Business, citations, online reviews, on-page SEO, off-page SEO
For beginners, The Foundations of What Google Wants is an excellent choice. You’ll learn how to optimize a Google My Business page and the basic principles of ranking first on major search engines. You can access the use course on mobile, and you’ll have lifetime access. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Key Takeaway: Participants will learn the core practices for SEO in the context of Google Analytics and Google My Business.
SEO Training Course by Moz | Udemy
Subjects Covered: On-page SEO, off-page SEO, SEO strategy, SEO audit, keyword research, link building, Reporting, SERP features
This SEO training course by Moz is a well-rounded solution for basic SEO training. You don’t need the experience to begin the video sessions. This course will teach you how to learn HTML tags for SEO, create SEO reports, and plan a successful SEO strategy. Within three hours, you’ll have the foundation to develop your SEO knowledge.
Key Takeaway: Students can learn how to perform fundamental SEO practices in less than one day for free.
SEO Training | Yoast
Subjects Covered: Yoast SEO plugin, keyword research, SEO copywriting, site structure, technical SEO
This SEO online course from Yoast is similar to the one offered by Moz. You’ll have lifetime access to the course, and you can find quizzes, PDF files of SEO tips, and a cheat sheet of SEO vocabulary. The video content takes two hours, and you can complete the course at your own pace. For more resources, you can choose the premium plan for $90 per year.
Key Takeaway: Yoast provides a paid plan and a free plan to accommodate different needs and budgets.
Professional SEO Certifications
There aren’t any mandatory certifications for SEO. However, you can get professional certifications and certificates by completing SEO courses. You can find similar courses at online colleges, boot camps, and many more learning facilities.
Below are a few more SEO courses that award professional certification.
Certified SEO Practitioner
The certification is accredited by Universal Business Council, and the course costs $79. You can complete it at your own pace in around six hours. You’ll have lifetime access to the content, and the program will equip you with SEO skills and knowledge to become an expert practitioner.
Advanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Certification Training
As the name indicates, this advanced course is ideal for professionals who already have experience in SEO. The content requires 30 hours of study, and you’ll have access to the course for a year. After completing 85 percent of the course, you can receive your SEO certification. The course costs $299.
How Much Can I Earn as an SEO Specialist?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an SEO specialist is $54,144. However, this can rise or fall depending on your experience level and education. A case study by Backlinko also confirms that SEO specialists who advance their skills earn more. SEO specialists with coding knowledge earn seven percent more than those without it.
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Should You Learn SEO in 2021?
Yes, you should learn SEO in 2021. Professionals can expect high job growth, and there are ample training resources available. As the world of digital marketing expands, professionals need to do the same.
By attaining basic knowledge in SEO, you can advance into freelance or entry-level roles. With enough passion for this practice, you can become a world-renowned SEO expert in no time.
