Learn SEO from the Best — Without Spending a Dime!
Whether you’re just starting or brushing up on SEO strategies, these hand-picked free courses offer everything from the basics to intermediate-level mastery. Here’s what each one offers, who it’s perfect for, and why it stands out:
🔥 1. Google Digital Garage – Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
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Duration: 40 hours
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Level: Beginner
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Certificate: ✅ Yes (accredited by IAB Europe & The Open University)
🚀 SEO Topics Covered:
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What SEO is & why it matters
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How search engines work
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Building a powerful web presence
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SEO strategy 101
Why Take It: This is the gold standard for beginners. It’s not just about SEO — you’ll get a strong foundation in digital marketing too, with a recognized certificate at the end.
📚 2. HubSpot Academy – SEO Training Course
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Duration: ~2 hours
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Level: Beginner to Intermediate
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Certificate: ✅ Yes
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
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Planning an SEO strategy
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On-page SEO: meta tags, headings, and keyword use
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Off-page SEO: link-building tactics
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Tracking and reporting SEO performance
Why Take It: It’s short, sweet, and packed with value. Taught by SEO pros using real-world examples — perfect if you’re short on time but serious about results.
🛠️ 3. Yoast Academy – SEO for Beginners
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Duration: ~2 hours
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Level: Beginner
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Certificate: ✅ Yes
📌 Core Modules:
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What is SEO, exactly?
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Content SEO and writing tips
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Intro to technical SEO
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Using Yoast SEO plugin on WordPress
Why Take It: Ideal for WordPress users, bloggers, and small business owners. It’s easy to follow and directly applicable to managing your own site.
🚀 4. Semrush Academy – SEO Fundamentals (Greg Gifford)
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Duration: 4+ hours
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Level: Intermediate
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Certificate: ✅ Yes
📈 What’s Inside:
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Technical SEO breakdown
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Local SEO essentials
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Link-building & backlinks
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Rank tracking and site audits
Why Take It: Greg Gifford brings energy and deep experience. The course is fun, highly detailed, and great for those looking to move beyond the basics.
📖 5. Moz – Beginner’s Guide to SEO
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Format: Text-based
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Level: Absolute Beginner
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Certificate: ❌ No
🧠 Topics Include:
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How search engines work
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Keyword research techniques
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On-site vs. off-site SEO
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Free and paid SEO tools
Why Take It: This is THE classic. Easy to digest and frequently updated — a must-read before diving into any course.
🎓 6. Coursera – SEO Specialization (UC Davis)
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Duration: Several weeks (5-course series)
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Level: Beginner to Advanced
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Certificate: ✅ Free to audit (cert requires payment)
🧩 What You’ll Learn:
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SEO foundations and evolution
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Technical site optimization
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Competitive keyword analysis
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Content strategy and UX
Why Take It: University-level curriculum without the tuition fees. Perfect if you’re considering a career shift or want advanced, in-depth knowledge.
✨ Bonus: Top YouTube Channels for Free SEO Lessons
🎥 Instead of enrolling, you can learn SEO visually from these trusted creators:
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📌 Brian Dean (Backlinko) – Proven SEO hacks & deep-dive case studies
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📌 Neil Patel – Easy SEO tips to grow your traffic
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📌 Ahrefs – Master keyword research, technical SEO, and content strategy
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📌 Simplilearn – Structured and beginner-friendly video lessons