Are these 10 SEO Certifications worth it?
Whether you’re just starting in digital marketing or are looking to brush up on an existing set of skills, an SEO Certification can be a great thing to keep in your toolkit.
Although you don’t necessarily need a certification to become an SEO – a lot of SEO comes from honed research, practice, and plenty of patience – completing a course is great for those who want more concrete grounding.
From paid to free options, as well as insights into the wider world of search engine optimisation and how to apply your knowledge, our experts will give you a complete list of the 10 best SEO certifications available on the web.
Do I really need an SEO certification?
Getting an SEO certification certainly has its advantages – especially for those beginning their marketing journey. Learning the SEO basics in a straightforward, structured way can be a great way to ease yourself in, especially when tackling core subjects such as keyword research.
As the world of SEO rapidly changes, thanks to new core updates, roll-outs, and developments happening all the time, certification is also useful for ‘keeping your oar in’. Many courses constantly keep up with the latest changes and trends, but always stay vigilant and do your research.
Will I have to pay for my certification and other considerations
But it’s not all about content. Choosing your certification will be influenced by factors such as your budget, your learning style, and your ongoing goals.
While free courses are an accessible way to learn the SEO basics, paid options often offer more in-depth content and practical exercises. If you choose to fork out for certification, bear in mind that most of these courses are available online, with some offering interactive sections and submittable elements.
Essentially, it’s important to know yourself and choose which skills you’d like to particularly develop before making a final decision. Whether a certificate is ‘worth it’ comes down to the value you think you’ll get from your course and how you’ll apply it.
Once you have, you can explore the following shortlisted courses!
The Shortlist
Listed below are 10 of the best SEO certifications for marketers, with a mix of both free and paid options available.
| Semrush Academy SEO Courses | Semrush, one of the biggest SEO platforms around, has several impressive (and free) SEO courses.
From starter subjects like SEO fundamentals to unpicking more advanced topics like content-led strategies, with a certification for each one available so you can show your stuff. |
Free |
| Google SEO Fundamentals by UC Davis | This Google-backed course on Coursera provides a solid foundation in SEO best practices. It’s a great option for beginners or those who want to understand how Google’s algorithms work. | Free |
| HubSpot SEO Certification Course | Another one from another big name, HubSpot’s free certification is super beginner-friendly. Expect to cover essential concepts like keyword research, on-page optimisation, and link building, to start. | Free |
| Moz SEO Essentials Certificate | This course also covers the fundamentals of SEO and prepares you for the Moz SEO exam, where you’ll come out as a newly-minted ‘SEO Specialist’ – something not to be sniffed at. | Paid |
| Yoast All-Around SEO Training | Yoast’s plug-ins for WordPress SEO are heavily-known and relied upon in our industry. Developed by their creators, this particular course goes above and beyond across a range of SEO principles and sectors, from technical SEO to traditional research. | Paid |
| Ahrefs SEO Certification | As far as freebies go, Ahrefs offers a great certification course that covers non-negotiable SEO topics like on-page optimisation, link building, and even technical SEO – making it a solid pick for starters. | Free |
| Simplilearn Advanced SEO Certification Training | For more experienced marketers who want to take their knowledge to the next level, this certification (and training program) is a more in-depth look at SEO, designed for those who want to pivot into online optimisation. | Paid |
| UC Davis SEO Specialisation | Here’s another useful certification from UC Davis that’s the perfect follow-up for those who have already taken the Google SEO Fundamentals course, this course takes a closer look at technical SEO, content strategy, and SEO for mobile. | Free |
| ClickMinded SEO Training Course | With this paid course from ClickMinded, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of SEO and exercises to help you improve your skills – coming out with a little practical experience as well as a certification. | Paid |
| Market Motive’s Advanced SEO Certification | Now onto the major players. This advanced program by Market Motive is best suited for more experienced SEOs who are keen to tackle more technical SEO, bigger link-building strategies, and tailor their SEO efforts for specific industries. | Paid |
Final thoughts
Certifications are great if you need to quickly showcase a certain ability or skill set – especially if you need to show proficiency to clients early on in your career. However, whether you think they are ‘worth’ it all comes down to how you plan to use them.
Getting certified in a set of tools you use all the time will be great in boosting your resume, but ensure you’re taking on (and paying!) for content that will practically support you in the day-to-day. A certification will only go as far as you’re willing to take it.
Need some guidance on supplementing your existing SEO plans? Or need someone to come up with a tailor-made strategy for your business? Our experts can help.
