Best SEO Courses you should use in 2025

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What are the best SEO courses? Using SEO principles is a skill that various blogs and sites help you master. These websites and blogs teach you how to conduct keyword research, create internal and external links, plan a long-term strategy, and implement basic optimization strategies and techniques. Depending on their level of ability and skill, users can choose blogs and websites from SEO training courses. You can easily learn all the steps of site optimization with the best online SEO courses and optimize your website in the best possible way. In this blog post, we’ll identify paid and free SEO courses for both beginner and advanced users. Also, we’ll mention which one is best for you. 

What to Look for in an SEO Course?

Before exploring the best SEO courses, you should know what to look for in an SEO course. Choose an SEO course that has these features:

• Teaches all the fundamentals of SEO: As an SEO specialist, you need to learn how to do things like on-page content optimization, off-page authority building (like link building), and technical SEO (like site speed).
• Keeps up with SEO changes: Search engines like Google are always changing their rules, so a good course will teach you about the most recent algorithm updates and fundamental SEO skills like on-page, off-page, and technical SEO. 
• Provides experience and evidence of learning: Seek out classes that include practical projects where you can put what you've learned into practice; certifications also demonstrate your abilities to prospective clients or employers. 
• It is run by seasoned SEO specialists: Accurate and insightful information is guaranteed when you study under professionals with a track record of success.

Best SEO Courses for 2024 (Paid & Free)

No matter if you’re a beginner or an SEO expert, you should be familiar with the best online SEO courses to succeed in SEO in 2025. Not only does it help you to stay updated with top-rated courses, but it also helps you to learn the latest on-page, off-page SEO, and technical SEO, including AI's impact. It boosts your skills and helps with website rankings. So, let’s see what the best SEO training courses are:

Google SEO Fundamentals (Coursera) – Best for Beginners

For individuals new to SEO, the "Google SEO Fundamentals" course on Coursera, given by the University of California, Davis, gives a solid introduction. This Google SEO training, led by Rebekah May and Eric Enge, contains 28 video courses, grouped into four basic modules: on-page SEO, off-page, technical SEO, and keyword research. Although it takes about 29 hours of independent study, this course gives you a solid foundation in fundamental SEO concepts. After completing four examinations to solidify their comprehension, learners receive a digital career certificate.

Yoast SEO for Beginners – Best for WordPress Users

SEO Training for Beginners from Yoast Academy is a great option for a brief yet comprehensive introduction to SEO.  This two-hour course, which is taught by the Yoast team, consists of 20 video courses with quizzes, PDF work files, and helpful SEO cheat sheets. This course emphasizes technical SEO and content optimization, including crawling, indexing, SERP features, and SEO copywriting. It also covers the fundamentals of SEO.  It is ideal for website owners looking for quick SEO boosts because it highlights the usefulness of the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress.

Semrush Academy Course – Best for Practical Learning

Semrush Academy is one of the best SEO courses that provides a multitude of tools, including more than 15 expert-led courses, for thorough SEO training. The platform, which features prominent figures in the field like Bastian Grimm, Brian Dean, and Kevin Indig, covers a wide range of subjects from advanced technical SEO to GA4 analytics and SEO strategy to boost website ranking.  The "On-Page and Technical SEO Course" imparts useful information on crawlability, HTTPS problems, on-page optimization, and SEO auditing. Assessments are offered in each course, and learners receive a downloadable certificate upon completion. Semrush Academy is a useful tool for SEO experts at any level because of its excellent information and free access.

HubSpot Free SEO Course – Best for Inbound Marketing

The HubSpot SEO Certification Course is one of the best SEO training courses for beginners looking for a systematic introduction to SEO. This free, self-paced course, which is taught by Rachel Sheldon and Matthew Howells-Barby, consists of 26 video lectures divided into six modules: keyword research, link building, SEO reporting, technical and on-page SEO, and SEO fundamentals. After completing five tests that reinforce learning, users get a customized certification that can be downloaded. The course is one of the SEO certification programs which is a great place for SEO beginners to start because of its straightforward content and focus on useful strategies.

Ahrefs Blogging for Business – Best for Content Marketers

The "Blogging for Business" course from Ahrefs provides thorough, cost-free instruction on creating and growing a profitable blog. Participants will learn everything from developing successful blogging strategies to search engine optimization and content promotion for maximum reach in CMO Tim Soulo's nearly five-hour course, which consists of 40 lessons spread across 11 modules. Finding worthwhile blog ideas, utilizing Ahrefs' content marketing strategies, and drawing steady Google traffic are all covered in the course. Professionals in content marketing, bloggers, freelance writers, and team leaders in digital marketing who want to propel their businesses forward are the target audience for this program. It can be one of the best free SEO courses. 

SEO training course by ahrefs

If you want a course that is specifically about SEO, Ahrefs also provides it. You can learn the fundamentals of SEO from Ahrefs' VP of Marketing, Sam Oh, with their free SEO training course. This two-hour, 14-lesson program offers a strong foundation in keyword research, on-page SEO, and link building, divided into four modules. Since no registration is needed, you can begin learning right away. This course is ideal for SEO beginners, small business owners, and marketing team leaders, and it includes fascinating videos and detailed instructions on how to optimize web pages, raise rankings, and generate organic traffic.

SEO Training by Moz Academy – Best for Technical SEO

Udemy's Moz SEO Essentials Certification Course offers a methodical way to study SEO principles. This is one of the SEO certification programs, which is divided into six sections and covers fundamental subjects like link building, on-page optimization, keyword research, SEO strategy, and SEO reporting. Learning is reinforced by quizzes throughout the course, and passing the final exam is necessary to receive the Moz certification. Although it's easy for beginners, some students feel that having some prior SEO expertise helps. For anyone looking for a thorough SEO education and an accepted certification, this course can be one of the best online SEO courses. 

SEO Specialization by UC Davis (Coursera) – Best for Advanced Learning

The UC Davis SEO Specialization Course on Coursera is a great option for a demanding, university-style SEO study. This is one of the SEO certification programs that has a five-course program taught by knowledgeable educators. This course covers a wide range of important SEO subjects, such as website optimization, SEO writing rules, social media methods for SEO, and Google SEO fundamentals. Students apply their skills through competition analysis, keyword mapping, and an SEO plan pitch in their capstone project, which is the program's final assignment. This course provides a thorough and organized learning experience with free registration and financial assistance opportunities, and can be one of the best SEO courses. 

Udemy Complete SEO Training – Best for Affordable Learning

The SEO training courses on Udemy, which is intended for marketers and business owners, offers useful SEO expertise for promoting online growth. Participants will master key tactics, including as keyword research, on-page and off-page SEO optimization, and efficient link-building, in about 3.5 hours of on-demand video.  For long-term success, learn how to improve website exposure, increase organic traffic, and use SEO best practices. A certificate of completion attests to your newly acquired SEO knowledge.

ClickMinded SEO Course – Best for Agencies & Professionals

The ClickMinded SEO Training Course is one of the best SEO courses, which is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality, results-oriented SEO education. This course offers a formal framework for applying fundamental marketing concepts to search engine optimization, and it is intended for business owners, marketers, and SEO specialists. It covers important topics like link development, content strategy, technical SEO, on-page SEO, and keyword research.  Five specialized mini-courses for sites like Shopify, YouTube, Pinterest, and Amazon are given to learners for life. A valued and acknowledged certification is guaranteed by the demanding final test, which has a high failure rate on the first try. So, we can say it is one of the SEO certification programs. 

SEO That Works (Brian Dean) – Best for Link-Building & Authority

SEO That Works, created by BacklinkoTM's Brian Dean, is one of the best online SEO courses for digital marketers, entrepreneurs, and SEO specialists looking to boost search engine rankings and increase website traffic. With a focus on advanced link-building and content marketing tactics, this course offers a step-by-step blueprint supported by real-world case studies showing successful first-page rankings. A tried-and-true SEO system that prioritizes real-world implementation and quantifiable outcomes is made available to participants. Interested parties can sign up for the waiting list for updates, as enrollment is sporadic.

Free vs. Paid SEO Courses: Which One Should You Choose?

In the following table, you can see a comparison of free and paid SEO training courses. After taking a look at that, you’ll understand when you need to buy a paid one and when you should choose free SEO courses:

How to Get the Most Out of an SEO Course

Learning SEO is not only about passing a course and receiving a certificate. Actually, even if you use the best online SEO courses, it doesn’t mean you are now an SEO expert. To get the most out of an SEO course, you need to: 

• Put what you've learned into practice:  For practical practice, apply SEO tactics to a test project or your website.
• Use SEO tools: Track ranks, keep an eye on backlinks, and spot technical problems with tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, and Semrush.
• Keep yourself informed:  To stay informed about algorithm changes and trends, follow industry publications such as Moz, the Search Engine Journal, and the Google Search Central Blog.

Conclusion

We have identified the best SEO courses for every need at different levels of difficulty and learning styles. If you’re a beginner in SEO, free courses like those offered by HubSpot and Ahrefs are better options for you. In the meantime, structured programs with in-depth modules, such as UC Davis' SEO Specialization, provide a college-style learning environment. Paid services like ClickMinded and Moz's SEO Essentials offer practical instruction and industry-recognized credentials for individuals looking for advanced tactics and certification. Investigate your possibilities, select a course that suits your requirements, and begin honing your SEO skills!