Best SEO Courses Online 2023

12 Best SEO courses online for Entrepreneurs + Digital Marketers

A study of search engines indicated that up to 99,000 Google searches are performed every second. How Google determines which websites show up first and the pursuit of those coveted top rankings constitute the field of search engine optimization or SEO.

Knowing how to optimize a website for search engines is essential for any entrepreneur and it can lead to an extremely lucrative specialization for professional digital marketers. The following list of the best SEO courses online can illuminate that path for you.

SEO Courses Online – Overview

The vast field of SEO is relatively complex. Search engines such as Google, Bing, and YouTube – even those on marketplaces such as Etsy and Amazon – can’t judge websites based on the quality of their content the way a human might.

Instead, intricate algorithms look for websites with keywords that answer users’ prompts, good reputations (e.g. links from outside sites), original content, as well as clean, fast, and user-friendly structures. Such components require thoughtful planning and execution for a website to organically rank on the first or second Search Engine Results Page (SERP).

All this before even a single advertising dollar is spent, a practice that refers to a completely separate but related field called Search Engine Marketing (SEM). To be sure, the pay-per-click ecosystem is just as complex.

Ultimately, a business may offer the absolute best quality content, goods, or services, but if its website doesn’t rank, no one will know. It is for this reason that SEO professionals are in such high demand. Entrepreneurs who choose not to hire an SEO pro are well-suited to learn as much as they can about the process. So, here are the best SEO courses for you.

Best SEO Courses Online 2023 – Top Picks

Domestika	GetSmarter	Coursera	Udemy
Principles of SEO	SEO Certification	SEO Specialization	SEO for WordPress
from $14.99	$451. Certificate.	from $59/month	from $11.99
★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆
View Course	View Course	View Course	View Course

Note: This list aims to give an overview of the best SEO courses online. We cannot claim comprehensiveness as there is other SEO online training available.

1. The Ultimate SEO Training + SEO for WordPress Websites – Udemy

Designed for beginners, SEO Agency owner Joshua George offers The Ultimate SEO Training + SEO for WordPress Websites (visit website) on Udemy. Beginners find a comprehensive exploration of all things SEO while experienced SEOs benefit from insight into the latest trends, as well as tips and tricks for areas that need improvement.

Eighteen sections of on-demand video guide you through every aspect of successful SEO, from fundamentals and keywords to technical SEO and even negative SEO attacks. After learning the fundamental components of SEO, you’ll explore keyword research in depth before moving on to content strategies and on-page SEO.

From there, you’ll take a deep dive into the many facets of link building before learning how to optimize your website’s functionality for SEO and User Experience (UX). Your SEO course ends with tips on how to measure your efforts and a brief module on advanced topics such as tiered link building, artificial intelligence (AI), and other trends in the field.

Ultimately, it is among the best SEO online courses on Udemy for business owners, bloggers, and webmasters who want to drive more traffic and sales to their websites.

Instructor: Joshua George | Skill Level: All levels
Lectures: 139 | Video: 7.5 hours | User Rating: 4.7 ★★★★☆
Price: View course. From $11.99. Up to 95% off. Browse category on Udemy.

2. Basic Principles of SEO – Domestika

In Basic Principles of SEO (visit website) on Domestika, SEO expert Nazir Turrado guides creatives through the process of optimizing content and improving organic positioning using basic SEO principles. It is ideal for digital creatives wishing to invest a few hours into learning basic SEO strategies.

Comprising 3 full modules and a final project, Turrado guides you through several components of strong SEO, beginning with lessons on how search engines work and the importance of optimizing your site and content for performance within those parameters.

Next, you’ll explore keywords, including different keyword types, as well as how to find and use them well. A section on basic HTML illuminates what actions can be taken on the back end of your site to optimize for organic search. Finally, spend some time learning sound strategies for measuring performance.

This program culminates in a final keyword research project that you can use to guide your own SEO strategy. It is one of the best SEO courses online for beginners and online entrepreneurs and as a Domestika user, you will also enjoy access to a community of like-minded learners to share ideas and experiences.

Instructor: Nazir Turrado | Level: Beginners | Lessons: 17 | Time: 3 hours
Info: View course. From $14.90. Up to 75% off. Browse category SEO.

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization – UC Davis, Coursera

Taught by UC Davis on Coursera, SEO Specialization (visit website) comprises four SEO courses and a capstone project. Nascent and emerging SEO professionals stand to benefit the most from this course which is geared towards SEO consultants, albeit anyone with an interest in SEO will find the content useful.

Focusing largely on content SEO, this intensive program begins with an in-depth introduction to Google’s search algorithms and the best practices for optimizing website rankings. In Course 2, you’ll dive deeper into search algorithms before exploring key SEO components, including on- and off-page SEO, technical SEO, and keyword research.

Here, you’ll also learn to conduct audience analysis and build ideal buyer personas. Building on the keyword research component in Course 2, you’ll start using keyword research in Course 3 to strategize, organize, and build content. This course culminates in lessons on how to manage client relationships and campaigns.

The fourth course focuses on advanced techniques such as influencer collaboration and data analysis. Complete your specialization with a capstone project in which you’ll develop an entire SEO pitch, including keyword and target audience research, alongside a content and technical audit. It’s among the best SEO courses online for business professionals.

Provider: UC Davis, Coursera | Type: Specialization
Pricing: Free trial. $59/month Coursera Plus. | Review: 4.7 ★★★★☆
Info: View course. Browse: Search all SEO courses on Coursera.

4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – University of Cape Town, GetSmarter

For emerging SEO professionals and entrepreneurs alike, the University of Cape Town offers Search Engine Optimization (SEO) (visit website) on GetSmarter, a short course designed to convey a strong foundation in SEO in just 10 weeks.

Instruction begins with a look at the role of SEO in today’s digital landscape while exploring updates and trends in the field. With this understanding of modern SEO, you’ll then learn basic HTML and how site architecture figures into SEO. The next few modules guide you through analytics, research, content strategy, writing for the web, and inbound marketing.

Notably, this online SEO course includes a module on paid advertising, PPC, and Google AdWords. Finally, you will spend your last few weeks learning more advanced strategies for improving rankings and analyzing success. SEO professionals who consult will benefit from a final module on how to report back to clients.

Upon completion of the course, you’ll gain access to 2U’s Career Engagement Network for professional development opportunities. It’s one of the best SEO courses online for entrepreneurs interested in creating effective SEO strategies for their businesses.

Provider: University of Cape Town, GetSmarter | Time: 10 weeks | Certificate: Yes.
Level: Professionals, Consultants | Pace: Instructor-lead | Price: $451
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all online courses in this category.

5. Mastering Digital Marketing: SEO, SEM, Social Media – London Business School

London Business School’s Mastering Digital Marketing on Emeritus is ideal for professionals who want to learn SEO within the context of digital marketing.

While it’s designed for emerging digital marketers, it’s also recommended for experienced traditional marketers seeking to learn digital methods, executives seeking a more holistic view of the latest marketing trends, and non-marketing professionals seeking a horizontal move into marketing. 

Ten modules guide you through every facet of modern digital marketing, starting with the 3C Framework and digital marketing trends. From there, you’ll look at content marketing, SEO and organic search, paid search marketing and marketplaces, mobile apps and freemiums, social engagement, digital loyalty, and omnichannel and B2B marketing.

Instruction is delivered via weekly simulations, case studies from some of the world’s most recognizable brands, and a combination of video and live lectures. This could be one of the best SEO courses online if you want to embed SEO in your digital marketing strategy.

Provider: London Business School, Emeritus | Time: 10 weeks | Certificate: Yes.
Level: Beginners + Advanced Beginners | Pace: Instructor-lead | Price: $2,091
Info: Visit course website. Get free brochure. Browse full course catalog on Emeritus.

6. Skillshare SEO Online Courses

Skillshare (view courses) offers a plethora of bite-sized SEO online courses for anyone interested in any facet of SEO. Beginners can find instruction on SEO basics, creatives can find courses designed for specific platforms such as Etsy and YouTube, and experts can hone in on specific skill sets, such as how to use AI to power their strategies.

Anyone with a website can benefit from SEO Basics for Non-SEOs. In just 30 minutes of instruction, you’ll learn how Google reads your website and how to structure it accordingly, as well as tools and strategies for keyword research and how to start building links.

Link Building 2023: Practical Training to Build Links offers learners a comprehensive look into link building. Three hours of instruction guide you through basics such as anchor text and backlinks to expert-level topics such as skyscraper, HARO, and tiered link building.

Specifically designed for artists, makers, and online shops, DIY SEO for Ecommerce: Sell More Online with Search Engine Optimization covers concise and quickly implementable strategies for improving rank. This includes keyword research, on-page strategies to optimize the technical side of your website, and link building.

Instructor: Various | Level: All 
Info: Browse courses.
Price: $15/month. Get 30% Off Premium to try all SEO courses online.

7. SEO and SEM – Positioning Strategies in Google – Domestika

SEO expert Juan González Villa presents SEO and SEM – Positioning Strategies in Google (visit website) on Domestika for freelancers and business owners who want to explore the different types of search results and website optimization. While suitable for beginners, having a Google Ads account is recommended as this course covers paid advertising.

Within five hours, Gonzàlez guides you through how search engines work and how you can complete a positioning strategy for your business. You’ll begin by learning about Google’s various types of search results (such as local and snippets), how YouTube’s search engine works, and the differences between the two.

From there, you will explore both on- and off-page SEO, as well as some technical aspects for optimizing your website. A module on Google Ads conveys SEM fundamentals and how to set up different types of ad campaigns (such as display or video).

Gonzàlez wraps up this SEO course with a module on keywords, including research, how to size up the competition, and building a keyword strategy. Your final project will involve designing a complete positioning strategy for your own business.

Instructor: Juan González Villa | Level: Beginners | Lessons: 23 | Time: 5 hours
Info: View course. From $14.90. Up to 75% off. Browse category SEO.

8. Learn SEO Online – Digital Marketing Institute

Digital Marketing Institute’s Learn SEO Online offers concise yet exhaustive training for entrepreneurs and marketers with little or no experience in the field. Featuring 11 hours of self-paced instruction, this course also equips you with numerous resources, including toolkits, templates, and tips and tricks from prominent SEO experts such as Neil Patel.

Following an introduction to the field of SEO and how search engines work, you’ll learn to improve website performance and other aspects of technical SEO, such as mobile optimization. Notably, this second module includes a problem-solving component to help you troubleshoot future performance difficulties.

Modules 3 and 4 focus on content, keywords, on- and off-page SEO, and local SEO, with a component on how to manage online reviews. In this course’s final module, you’ll build on everything you’ve learned to explore strategy and performance evaluation.

Once you’ve completed this SEO course, you’ll receive your Associate Certification and Digital Marketing Institute membership, which grants you access to a large global community of digital marketing professionals. This is certainly one of the best SEO courses online if you seek the certification required for a role as an SEO professional.

Platform: Digital Marketing Institue | Style: SEO Training | Certificate: Yes
Level: Beginners | Price: $445 (installment payment available)

Tip: Explore our lists of the best business courses, or entrepreneurship courses or business analytics courses, or digital marketing courses, or data analytics courses to expand your skills further.

9. Search Engine Optimization Training Course – Simplilearn

Simplilearn’s Search Engine Optimization Training Course offers learners self-paced online learning as well as options for live online classes, including 90-day access to content. No prior SEO experience is required, but a high school diploma is required to enroll.

Four comprehensive modules guide you from SEO fundamentals to advanced SEO, advanced content marketing, and advanced web analytics for holistic and well-rounded training on the entire search engine ecosystem. The basic modules cover how search engines work, on- and off-page SEO, keywords and competition, and site architecture.

In the following advanced modules, you’ll explore the concepts surrounding content marketing strategy, social engagement and influencer strategy, navigation and interpretation of Google Analytics for your website, as well as how to apply Lean Six Sigma to your methodology.

By the end of the SEO course, you’ll be adept at using Google tools such as Trends, Search Console, and Analytics. grants you access to a large global community of digital marketing professionals. SimpliLearn’s program is among of the best SEO courses online if you want to cover all aspects of search engine optimization combined with a certification.

Provider: Simplilearn | Type: SEO Training Course. All levels.
Duration: 3 months. 2-3 hours/week | Pricing: from $427

10. Develop Your SEO Skills – LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning’s Develop Your SEO Skills offers marketing professionals and entrepreneurs a straightforward, self-paced program for upskilling in SEO. The path comprises 7 hours of instruction across six SEO online courses, each dedicated to a specific component of SEO.

Beginning with an SEO course on foundations, you’ll cover the components of and strategies behind strong SEO before exploring useful tools in the second course. Course 3 guides you through the content writing process, including how to identify target audiences and user intent, and how to structure your content to rank well in organic search.

SEO Courses 4 and 5 dive deeper into keyword strategy and link building, before concluding the path with a course on technical SEO, which includes concepts such as website crawling, speed, and architecture. Upon completion of the path, you’ll receive a badge of completion for your LinkedIn profile.

Provider: LinkedIn | Level: Beginners, Intermediates
Type: Learning Path | Content: 6 online SEO courses. 7 hours.
Info: From $26.99/month annually. Try with free 1-month trial.

11. Technical SEO Certification Course – MOZ Academy

MOZ Academy offers its Technical SEO Certification Course for digital marketing professionals seeking specifically to strengthen their technical SEO skills. It is not intended for beginners; ideal learners are intermediate SEOs, digital marketers with SEO experience, and web developers seeking skills that overlap with SEO.

At the end of the five bite-sized SEO online courses, you’ll be able to build and implement a complete strategy to make your website accessible, crawlable, and indexable.

Kicking off this laser-focused program is an SEO course on the fundamental concepts of technical SEO, including why it matters, what role it plays in an overall SEO strategy, and the impact of Google’s search algorithm. Dive deeper into website crawling by exploring robots.txt formatting, redirects, and architecture in Course 2.

In Module 3, you’ll explore important indexing concepts, such as canonicalization, pagination, and faceted navigation. Course 4 addresses all things accessibility and performance, before concluding with a summary and an exam in Module 5.

After finishing the certification program, you’ll receive your MOZ Academy certificate and a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile.

Platform: MOZ Academy | Style: SEO Certification Course | Certificate: Yes
Level: Intermediate, Advanced | Price: $395

12. Advanced SEO Training – Ryan Stewart, The Blueprint Training

Designed for working SEO freelancers, agencies, and consultants, Ryan Stewart’s The Blueprint Training is less an SEO pedagogy and more a training on his specific system for SEO success. As such, ideal learners will already be familiar with basic SEO concepts and may be seeking to improve performance to streamline and grow their SEO business.

Enrolling in The Blueprint Training gives you access to a multitude of scalable resources for every step of the SEO process, including SOPs, templates, automation, presentation decks, and reports. You’ll also receive end-to-end training, plus useful SOPs, on how to get and onboard clients.

Each module is presented in bite-sized videos that can easily be passed on to staff. Enrollment also includes access to the program’s Slack channel, where you can access dedicated support not only on the training modules themselves but advanced SEO practices as well. This is one of the best SEO courses online for ambitious beginners.

Platform: The Blueprint Training | Style: SEO Training
Level: Advanced beginners | Price: $6,999

Free SEO Courses Online 2023

SEO Starter Guide – Google Developers

For anyone with an interest in technical SEO, Google Developers offer their SEO Starter Guide, a straightforward text with implementable actions, and tips and tricks on ensuring that your site is easy for a search engine to crawl, index, and interpret.

Semrush SEO Crash Course with Brian Dean

Brain Dean’s Semrush SEO Crash Course is just that – a crash course featuring 5 bite-sized videos on core SEO concepts. After a brief introduction to SEO fundamentals, you’ll learn about 4 key SEO components: keyword research, content, link building, and metrics.

SEO Course – ClickMinded

ClickMinded’s 3-hour self-paced SEO Course is a series of short videos on specific modules relating to the ClickMinded framework for SEO. Learn essential concepts such as how search engines work, keyword research, content building, technical SEO, plus how to build a site from scratch. Each module comes with actionable tools and templates.

Yoast Free SEO Course for Beginners

Developed by the creators of the Yoast website plugin, SEO for Beginners touches on a handful of essential SEO components. Two hours of bite-sized videos cover how search engines work, keyword research, copywriting for SEO, site structure, crawlability, and the different types of search results (such as video and location).

The One-Hour Guide to SEO – MOZ

Designed to offer beginners a strong foundation in SEO, The One-Hour Guide to SEO offers short videos covering 6 core concepts: strategy, keyword research, searcher satisfaction/intent, on-page optimization, link building, and technical SEO.

SEO Training Course – ahrefs

SEO Training Course is a 2-hour beginner-friendly program by ahrefs, designed to help digital marketers and entrepreneurs get started with basic SEO. Four modules cover keyword research and user intent, on-page SEO, an introduction to easy link building, and the basics of technical SEO.

How to Choose the Best SEO Courses Online

To be sure, all of these courses offer tremendous benefits to the learner. But they are not all the same. Some can be completed in mere hours, while others dive deep and take weeks to finish; some are free, whereas others come with a heftier price tag. There are SEO courses for beginners, SEO online courses for established professionals, and online SEO courses for entrepreneurs.

With so many choices available, making a confident decision can seem like a daunting task! First, consider your end goal. If you’re pursuing a career as a freelancer or agency SEO professional, you may want to choose a course that’s tailored to that goal, such as UC Davis’ SEO Specialization on Coursera or the certificate from the Digital Marketing Institute.

Entrepreneurs who want to DIY SEO for their site may not have the time or capital to invest in such comprehensive programs, in which case bite-sized Skillshare SEO courses or a LinkedIn Learning path might deliver the best results. The unique needs of creatives can be met on Domestika, which also features a strong community of supportive peers.

Established SEO professionals who seek to sharpen their skills specifically in technical SEO would do well to consider the MOZ Academy course or a short course on Skillshare.

From there, you can weigh up how much time and money you can afford to spend on this endeavor and the best SEO course for you should naturally emerge from the list!

Best SEO Courses Online 2023 – Summary

Wrapping up our tour of the best SEO courses online in 2023. In the end, an investment of time or money into SEO is almost always a sound one, as businesses that don’t rank can struggle in our hyper-competitive global marketplace.

Whether you’re investing in your own business or a career to optimize sites for others, a strong education can lay the foundation for future success. Still not sure where to begin? Take a closer look at that Digital Marketing Institute certification… and happy optimizing!

Other SEO Courses Online

• SEO Unlocked – Neil Patel’s Free SEO Course – YouTube – View
• The Ultimate SEO Blueprint – Alison
• SEO Certification Course – HubSpot Academy
• Advanced SEO Certification Training – Market Motive
• SEO Training by Northcutt
• Online SEO Courses by Searchmetrics Academy
• Traffic Travis SEO Training
• SEO Training by SEO Design Solutions
• ClickDo SEO Training Academy
• The SEO Framework by Gareth James
• Advanced SEO Course by Webcertain
• SEO For Growth by John Jantsch
• The On-Page SEO Masterclass by Matthew Woodward
• SEO Intelligence Agency (SIA) – The Lab
• Digital Deepak’s SEO Mastery Course
• Ecommerce SEO Masterclass by Sievers Creative
• Authority Hacker’s The Authority Site System
• SEO Training Course by Gotch SEO Academy
• SE Ranking Academy SEO Courses
• The Complete SEO Course by Stone River eLearning

What are the best SEO courses online for 2023, in your opinion? Which SEO online programs have you taken? What have you learned? Please let us know in the comments below, or contact us via email for questions.

Sources: What is on-page SEO? – 1 | What are keywords? – 2 | What is link building? – 3