SEO Certification
Best SEO Certification Courses That Keep You Stay Ahead Of The Curve
Here are the SEO certifications and learning materials that can skyrocket your career in Digital Marketing.
Depending on the importance and nature, I divided the resources into the following 3 categories:
1. SEO Learning Materials
2. SEO Influencers
3. SEO Course & Certifications
1. SEO Learning Materials
Here are the learning materials for SEO that I highly recommend before thinking to go for spending money on the certification.
- Search Engine Journal
- Search Engine Land
- Google Webmaster Central Blog
- Alexa Blog
- QuickSprout
- Moz
- Ahrefs
- Wordstream
- SEMrush
- Search Metrics Blog
1. Search Engine Journal
Search Engine Journal, popularly known as “SEJ” has multiple categories to read like SEO, PPC and content marketing. But, It is mostly explored for the latest news in the SEO world.
I recommended all of the SEO beginners to check this resource daily just to see what is new happening in the SEO. Apart from that, you can go through the best practices and guides regarding other digital marketing related topics.
2. Search Engine Land
Search Engine Land is the most credible resource for exploring all the latest news about different search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, Etc.) in terms of SEO. This website always comes up with the latest update on algorithm changes of search engines and it’s impact on SEO.
3. Google Webmaster Central Blog
This is the official Google’s blog about the latest features on the organic search results page, algorithm changes and “Google Search Console” tool updates.
4. Alexa Blog
This blog provides the latest resources on SEO and Content Marketing. Apart from this, you can find out the latest guides on paid advertising and influencer marketing.
5. QuickSprout
Quick Sprout is the best place for finding information on web development, web hosting, and Digital Marketing.
6. Moz
According to me, Moz can be the one-stop-shop for learning “On-Page SEO”. Also, if you are a beginner, then this introductory guide is perfect for you to explore and practice accordingly.
7. Ahrefs
According to me, Ahrefs is the perfect tool to practice “link building” activities. If you want to check a complimentary guide to SEO in addition to the Moz one, then here you go: https://ahrefs.com/blog/learn-seo/
8. Wordstream
Apart from SEO and Content Marketing, Wordstream offers content under the following categories:
- Social Media
- Cross-Channel Marketing
- Display Ads
- GDPR
- Conversion Rates
- Landing Pages
9. SEMrush
With the SEMrush blog, you can explore industry-related news on topics of SEO, PPC and Content Marketing.
10. Search Metrics Blog
Search Metrics publishes the latest blog post on Analytics, SEO and algorithm changes. Also, you can explore podcasts and webinars there.
2. Top SEO Influencers to follow
1. Sujan Patel
2. Shane Barker
3. Neil Patel
4. Brian Dean
5. Rand Fishkin
1. Sujan Patel
Sujan Patel is a Growth Marketer and Entrepreneur who is well known in the Digital Marketing world. He is working on the scaling of SaaS companies. He also publishes blog posts under the categories of SaaS, Growthhacking and Digital Marketing.
2. Shane Barker
Shane Barker is a Digital Marketing Consultant and needs no introduction when talking about publishing insightful articles, speaking at conferences and sharing tips and tricks over podcasts. You can explore his latest blog posts here: https://shanebarker.com/blog/
3. Neil Patel
Neil Patel is the Digital Marketing Influencer and Co-founder of NP Digital. You can explore his blog posts here: https://neilpatel.com/blog/
4. Brian Dean
Brian Dean is an internationally recognized SEO expert and founder of Backlinko. He became popular in the SEO space after his in-depth guides on SEO and Content Marketing. If you are a beginner in the field of SEO, then you can subscribe to his newsletter for receiving all the latest articles on SEO.
5. Rand Fishkin
Rand Fishkin is the Former CEO and Co-Founder of “Moz” and recently co-founded “Sparktoro”. When he was with Moz, his “Whiteboard Friday” series was quite popular.
He usually writes on Startup and Marketing.
3. SEO Course & Certifications
1. Search Engine Optimization Fundamentals — Coursera
2. SEO Fundamentals Exam — SEMrush
3. SEO Training Course — Hubspot Academy
4. SEO Essentials Certificate — Moz
5. Become an SEO Expert — LinkedIn
6. SEO 2020: Complete SEO Training + SEO for WordPress Websites — Udemy
7. Introduction to SEO: Tactics and Strategy for Entrepreneurs — Skillshare
1. Search Engine Optimization Fundamentals — Coursera
In this course, you will learn basic concepts about SEO and it can be considered as most important to get started with creating “SEO Focused Strategies”.
Pricing:
They provide it for free if you enroll within a few days. You can check their website for further details on pricing.
Most importantly, they also provide financial assistance on total fees.
2. SEO Fundamentals Exam — SEMrush
This is the free course followed by an exam and certification. The course is officially offered by SEMrush and there are certain important features like unlimited test attempts, placement of certification to your resume or LinkedIn profile and structured learning on various SEO focused concepts.
Pricing:
FREE
3. SEO Training Course — Hubspot Academy
Hubspot also provides free SEO training. The only limitation is “no certification” after completion of course and exam. Talking about curriculum, they offer value-based learning on the topics of On-page and Off-page SEO.
Pricing:
FREE
4. SEO Essentials Certificate — Moz
Moz offered an extensive course on SEO that divide into 6 parts for smooth learning. This course is recommended for those who want to grab the fundamental skills and implement it quickly.
The course is paid and comes under the “Moz Pro” module. The point to be noted here is that it provides certification after successful completion of the course and you don’t need to purchase any of their tools to get access to it!
Pricing:
$595 (One time)
5. Become an SEO Expert — LinkedIn
Many of you are quite aware of LinkedIn’s learning interface. They also provide a “Learning path” as a specially structured course in multiple fields like business, art, and technology.
In the business field, you can get access to “Become an SEO Expert” and earn the certification after successful completion of course followed by an examination.
Pricing:
Starts at $24/month
*Includes 1-month FREE trial
6. SEO 2020: Complete SEO Training + SEO for WordPress Websites — Udemy
Udemy provides complete training on SEO with a focus on technical aspects like page speed, URL structure, and site responsiveness. Apart from that, you also can master Wordpress SEO.
The only requirement is you need to have basic knowledge about SEO and WordPress website to implement theoretical knowledge.
Pricing:
$6.38 (One time)
*Price includes lifetime access
7. Introduction to SEO: Tactics and Strategy for Entrepreneurs — Skillshare
Skillshare offers an intensive course on SEO in the form of interactive classroom training. Even though you are learning it via online mode but you can feel it as you are seating it in a classroom.
The training is provided by Rand Fishkin (Former Co-Founder of Moz).
The course is structured for “Beginners”. So, before enrolling in the course, you don’t have to be equipped with definitions and technical terminologies of SEO. The important requirement is that you have to submit an assignment at the end of the course and for this, you have access to resources.
You can’t get official certification after completion of this course and that’s the only limitation.
Pricing:
You need to sign up as either team of more than 2 or more than 20 members to see the pricing details.
*Includes 2 months of FREE Trial
If you are aware of more such SEO focused training programs with certifications, then do comment below.
Disclaimer: I don’t have any inclination and connection with any of the mentioned certification and course provider body. All the displayed thoughts are of mine.
Originally Published On Quora
Featured Author Bio:
Dhruv Mehta is a Digital Marketing Professional who works at Acquire and provides solutions in the digital era. In free time, he loves to write on tech & marketing. He is a frequent contributor to Tweak Your Biz. Connect with him on Twitter or LinkedIn.
