You want to learn more about SEO. You're likely to have seen many SEO certification courses. These range from those offered by top SEO platforms like Semrush, to those that are taught by "experts".
You're not sure if an SEO certificate is right for your needs, or if you are having trouble deciding which course to take? With over two decades of experience in search marketing, I have seen many SEO certification courses change.
To make your decision easier, I spent time researching the best courses.
Let's first discuss what an SEO certification is before we get into the details of whether you should or shouldn't.
What is an SEO Certification?
A company will provide a certification confirming that you have completed the SEO course. SEO certifications, unlike a certificate or college degree, are not regulated.
They can teach you the basics of SEO and show clients or employers that you are serious about your education.
What are the Best SEO Certifications?
Trusted, established brands in the marketing sector are best for SEO certifications. This is because there is no regulation for SEO certifications. But, clients and employers will appreciate the fact that you have been certified by a trusted brand. They are more likely to believe that you know what your doing.
To help you make a decision, I have analyzed the top-rated SEO certifications from trusted brands. This includes the content they cover, the cost and the pros and cons.
There is no single right SEO certification. A beginner might choose a course on SEO, while someone who wants to improve their technical SEO knowledge may choose another.
The best SEO certification is one that suits your budget and knowledge.
Yoast All-Around SEO Training
Price: $99/year (includes Yoast SEO premium plugin access)
For students who are interested in learning more than the basics about SEO.
img alt="Yoast SEO training homepage" class="wp-image-164833" height="276" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification1.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification1.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification1-350×138.jpg 350w" width="700"/>
Yoast is an excellent WordPress plugin for on-page SEO. It's not surprising that they offer an SEO certification.
Learn how to do keyword research and SEO copywriting. You will also learn how to improve site structure and technical SEO strategies such as speeding up site security. You will also learn about off-page SEO strategies like link building, UX and email marketing.
This course offers:
- Three hours of instructional videos.
- Quizzes
- Checklists available for download
- Certificate
- Badge
- One-year access to the course and Yoast SEO plug
Pros:
- Affordable (99 USD for one year).
- All the major topics in SEO covered
Cons:
- Three hours of video
- For those with intermediate SEO skills, it is likely that they are too basic.
Clickminded SEO Specialist Qualification
Cost: $997 per year for one course.
Ideal for:Students who are willing to spend time and money on a deep understanding SEO.
Class="wp-image-164834" height="354" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification3.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp–content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification3-355×177.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg class="wp-image-164834" height="354" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification3.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification3.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification3-350×177.jpg 350w" width="700"/>
Clickminded provides a quick, thorough SEO certification that will get you up and running as quickly as possible. It is ideal for students who are willing and able to spend the necessary time to learn a new skill.
This course will cover a variety of SEO strategies. It includes the basics of organic searching, the best tools to use, how you can create an SEO strategy and on-page SEO. Link building and technical SEO are also covered. You will also have lifetime access to mini-courses on SEO for local businesses, Shopify, Pinterest, YouTube and Amazon.
Although it is an all-inclusive Google SEO certification course, it can be quite expensive. This course is ideal for agencies who can maximize their team pricing.
Pros:
- You can access many courses with team pricing (4997 for 10 reusable licenses).
- Start for free and see if it is something you like.
Cons:
- For beginners, a bit expensive
- Brand recognition is less than for other courses (Semrush and Moz, etc.).
Moz's SEO Essentials
Cost: $595
For: Beginners or those with little SEO experience
class="wp-image-164835" height="196" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px") srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification2.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification2-350×98.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg 350w class="wp-image-164835" height="196" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification2.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification2.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification2-350×98.jpg 350w" width="700"/>
Moz's SEO Essentials certification, a six-part online course, introduces basic SEO concepts and helps to understand how to apply those skills using Moz Pro, Moz's paid SEO tool. It takes approximately six hours to view and includes a skills assessment at the end to confirm your newfound SEO skills.
This course will cover a broad range of SEO topics including basic SEO concepts, keyword research, on page optimization, link building, tracking and reporting SEO metrics, and more. Each section will require you to complete tasks. This gives you some hands-on experience.
Pros:
- Practical practice is included to strengthen skills.
- You can also take additional courses to learn more about the strategies that are important for your business.
Cons:
- Moz Pro is the only tool that teaches you how to use it.
- There is no technical SEO section.
SEO Fundamentals With Greg Gifford (Via Semrush
No Cost
For: Those who are new or need to learn more about SEO.
class="wp-image-164837" height="376" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px") srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification5.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification5-535×188.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg 350w.jpg class="wp-image-164837" height="376" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification5.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification5.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification5-350×188.jpg 350w" width="700"/>
There are many certification courses offered by Semrush, but this course stands out. SEO Fundamentals is hosted by Greg Gifford (Vice President of Search at SearchLabs), and covers a broad range of topics. It's short and easy to take, but it's still free. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to learn the basics of SEO.
This course covers 31 lessons on topics like search engine optimization, link signals and technical SEO. It also includes information about local SEO and international SEO. Every video includes a quiz that will test your comprehension of the lesson.
Once you have completed the course, go to the certification test page to take your test and get your certification.
Pros:
- Absolutely free.
- It covers a broad range of topics.
- Learn from a recognized SEO expert.
Cons:
- It is not as comprehensive as other courses.
Google SEO Fundamentals By UCDavis (Via Coursera
Cost – Free for the first 30 Days; $59 per month after the trial ends.
For: Anybody (including agencies) who is interested in a deeper understanding of SEO and not just the basics.
img alt="Google Search Engine Optimization Fundamentals by UCDavis & Coursera" class="wp-image-164838" height="256" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification4.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification4.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SEO_certification4-350×128.jpg 350w" width="700"/>
This course is for everyone, whether you are an experienced SEO professional or a novice who just wants to get started. It takes 29 hours to complete the course and is more structured like a college course.
This course will give you a deeper understanding of search engine algorithms and how to create an SEO strategy. You will also learn strategies for keyword research and consumer psychology. This course will cover topics such as SEO, marketing, and mathematical optimization.
Pros:
- This course offers more depth than other courses.
- You can cancel anytime, as you are charged monthly.
- All Coursera classes available.
Cons:
- The course is longer than others (29 hours).
- It doesn't seem to include technical SEO or link building.
Why SEO Certifications Are Not Worth It
SEO certifications are useful for those who want to learn more about SEO, but they're not always worth the cost. Most SEO experts you know don't hold a certification.
Example: I don't hold an SEO certification. Crazy, right? SEO certifications, as I mentioned before, are not regulated by one agency. Therefore, the quality of each course varies.
These are just a few reasons why SEO certifications might not be worthwhile:
- Employers don't care if your certificate is valid. They care if the results you produce are satisfactory.
- Learning in the classroom doesn't always translate into real-life problems.
- SEO is constantly changing, so some courses may be out of date before you're done.
- You might not find everything that you learn applicable to your site. SEO strategies for small local bakeries are different than those used by large ecommerce companies.
Remember that there is no Google SEO certification program. All courses are taught by people other than Google.
SEO certification is a great way to learn SEO in a structured manner. These certifications can be a good foundation for developing strong SEO skills.
To be successful in SEO, however, you must combine a certification with real-world experience.
SEO Agencies vs. SEO Certifications
You might be wondering if it's better to hire an agency if you are considering getting a SEO certification. Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges.
Here's why:
An SEO agency can provide you with access to SEO professionals in all areas, including technical, local, and international. Depending on their size, an agency may have PPC specialists, content marketers, data analysts and project managers.
A certification in SEO will provide you with a basic knowledge of the various types of SEO. However, you won't be able to compare your knowledge to an expert with more than 10 years of experience.
Even if you do end up hiring an agency, getting an SEO certification may still be worthwhile. This will allow you to understand how the recommendations of an agency might affect your business.
FAQs
What are the best SEO certifications for you?
Trusted brands in the SEO industry such as Moz, NP University and Semrush are responsible for awarding the best SEO certifications, including Yoast and Yoast.
What can I expect from an SEO certification course?
Although the course content varies from one class to another, you can still expect to learn:
SEO: What is it and why it matters
– On-page SEO best practices
Local SEO
– The basics and practice of technical SEO
– Link Building
Keyword research
Does Google offer a certification for SEO?
No. No. Google recommends the Google SEO Fundamentals course through Coursera, in partnership with UC Davis.
How can I choose the best SEO certification course?
I would recommend that you choose a course from a reputable company in the field. Also, ensure that the course covers the topics that interest you and read customer reviews.
Conclusion
A Google SEO certification can help you launch your career, but it can also prove costly. A certificate is a great way to learn the basics of SEO or get more technical knowledge.
Remember that hands-on SEO experience is the only way to go.
Are you an SEO certified professional? Was it worth the effort?
————————————————————————————————————————————–
By: Neil Patel
Title: SEO Certifications: Are They Worth It?
Sourced From: neilpatel.com/blog/seo-certifications/
Published Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2022 19:00:00 +0000