If you’re starting a blog, learning SEO is a must. Why? Because even the best-written content won’t be found unless it’s optimized for search engines. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get started.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked the top 10 online courses to learn SEO for free—all beginner-friendly, trusted, and accessible. Whether you’re blogging on WordPress or building your online brand, these courses will help you attract traffic, grow your audience, and rank on Google.
Why Learn SEO as a Beginner Blogger?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the backbone of online visibility. If you want your blog to be seen, you need to understand how search engines work and what readers are searching for.
Here’s why SEO matters for bloggers:
- Get Organic Traffic (without paying for ads)
- Build Authority in your niche
- Attract Loyal Readers consistently
- Monetize Your Blog with affiliate links or ads
- Compete with Bigger Sites by targeting the right keywords
What to Look For in a Free SEO Course?
Not all free courses are created equal. The best ones offer:
- Step-by-step structure
- Updated content (based on current Google algorithms)
- Practical tasks or exercises
- Certification (optional but useful)
- Supportive communities or forums
Top 10 Free SEO Courses for Beginners (Updated for 2025)
Let’s dive into the best free online SEO courses that you can start today:
Google SEO Fundamentals by Coursera (via UC Davis)
Platform: Coursera
Taught by: UC Davis Professor Eric Enge
Length: 28 hours
Certification: Yes (Free with audit option)
This university-backed course breaks down SEO basics like crawling, indexing, on-page optimization, and more. Perfect for absolute beginners who want depth.
Key topics:
- Search engine basics
- On-page and off-page SEO
- SEO tools and keyword research
Ahrefs SEO Training Course
Platform: Ahrefs Academy
Taught by: Sam Oh (Ahrefs)
Length: ~2 hours
Certification: No
This short course is straight to the point and visually engaging. Great for bloggers who want to learn practical SEO and keyword research quickly.
What you’ll learn:
- How to do keyword research
- On-page SEO techniques
- How to optimize for search intent
SEO for Beginners by Yoast
Platform: Yoast Academy
Taught by: Team Yoast
Length: ~2 hours
Certification: Yes
Yoast is a leading SEO plugin for WordPress—and their free course is tailored to bloggers and WordPress users.
Highlights:
- How search engines work
- SEO copywriting basics
- Using the Yoast plugin effectively
SEO Training Course by HubSpot Academy
Platform: HubSpot Academy
Taught by: Matthew Howells-Barby
Length: ~2 hours
Certification: Yes
This course focuses on content strategy and how SEO fits into it. It’s ideal for bloggers who want to rank articles and attract leads.
Includes:
- SEO strategy overview
- Keyword research
- Link building tactics
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide by Google
Platform: Google Search Central
Format: Text-based guide
Certification: No
This isn’t a course per se, but it’s the ultimate foundational guide straight from the source—Google. Every blogger should read this once.
Topics covered:
- Best SEO practices
- Mobile-friendly design
- How Google sees your website
ClickMinded SEO Mini-Course
Platform: ClickMinded
Taught by: Tommy Griffith
Length: 1 hour
Certification: No
A fast-paced and actionable course from a former SEO manager at Airbnb. Great for time-strapped beginners.
Why it’s useful:
- Beginner-friendly explanations
- Real-world examples
- Includes SEO checklist
Free SEO Course by Semrush Academy
Platform: Semrush Academy
Taught by: Various SEO professionals
Length: Varies (some short, some longer)
Certification: Yes
Semrush offers several SEO courses, many free. Focus on the ones for beginners such as “SEO Fundamentals” or “Technical SEO Basics.”
Moz Beginner’s Guide to SEO
Platform: Moz.com
Format: Text-based guide
Certification: No
A legendary resource in the SEO world. It’s like a full textbook, broken down into digestible chapters. Easy to read and bookmark.
Key chapters:
- Keyword research
- On-page and technical SEO
- Link building basics
SEO Certification by Great Learning
Platform: Great Learning
Length: ~2.5 hours
Certification: Yes
A newer player offering high-quality free courses. This course is short, modern, and includes quizzes and certificate of completion.
What’s included:
- SEO tools and tips
- Content optimization
- SEO myths vs. facts
Introduction to SEO by Skillshare (Free with Trial)
Platform: Skillshare
Taught by: Rand Fishkin (Moz co-founder)
Length: 1 hour
Certification: No
Although Skillshare is paid, new users get a free trial. This course by Rand Fishkin is worth using that trial for.
Topics include:
- SEO for content creators
- Ranking strategies
- Measuring SEO success
Bonus Tips for Learning SEO Effectively
- Apply as you learn – Use your blog as a practice ground.
- Install an SEO plugin like Rank Math or Yoast.
- Use free tools like Google Search Console and Ubersuggest.
- Read SEO blogs like Backlinko, Search Engine Journal, and Moz.
FAQ: Free SEO Courses for Beginners
Yes. Tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and Ubersuggest offer a great starting point without cost.
Basic SEO can be learned in a few weeks, but mastering it is a long-term process. It evolves with search engine updates, so continuous learning is key.
Final Thoughts: Start Learning SEO Today, for Free
Learning SEO is one of the most valuable things you can do as a blogger. It’s how your content reaches people, grows your traffic, and builds authority over time. The best part? You don’t need a big budget to get started.
Pick one of the above free SEO courses and commit to learning. Apply what you learn to your own blog, track results, and grow from there. The sooner you start, the sooner you rank.
