If you want to use search engines to your advantage, learning SEO best practices and strategies is essential. Every day, more websites are indexed by search engines. This means that competition to get to the top of the search engine results pages is becoming even more fierce.
An added difficulty when it comes to SEO is that it is constantly changing. Search engines routinely update their algorithms, so you need to stay updated on changes. Whatever you were told two years ago, or even one year ago, may not be true at all today.
While some businesses have their own SEO marketing professionals, this isn’t always entirely necessary. There are many SEO resources available at your fingertips to keep you updated on changes and teach you best practices. Here, we’ve compiled some of the best SEO resources to teach you the most important aspects you need to know.
Conquer Search
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On-Demand Training
SEO 101
This course covers important fundamentals and core elements of organic search. Learn what it tasks to become proficient in SEO and why you don’t need to feel anxious every time Google updates its algorithm.
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On-Demand Training
Off-Page SEO Fundamentals
You’ll learn about backlinks, social SEO, digital PR, link building, and how overall brand reputation contributes to maintaining and growing results.
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On-Demand Training
Paid Search (PPC)
You will learn how to set up a successful PPC account, set and measure goals, and optimize keyword usage using various strategies.
SEO Podcasts
Don’t love reading? Or, prefer to listen to something while you’re driving, working out, or doing some other task? SEO podcasts are a great way for you to learn SEO best practices.
SEO 101
The SEO 101 podcast is extremely beginner-friendly. It will give you the basics of SEO concepts and best practices without overwhelming you with too much information. Each episode of this podcast covers 2-4 different topics in about 30-45 minutes. This is a great podcast for those who are just getting started learning SEO marketing or want to stay up to date on the latest changes affecting the industry.
Experts on the Wire
This podcast is mainly interview-focused and is hosted by SEO expert and consultant Dan Shure. In it, he interviews other big names in the industry, covering a wide range of topics. These episodes are generally an hour to an hour and a half long and there are currently over 100 episodes available.
Authority Hacker Podcast
This podcast is hosted by SEO experts Gael Breton and Mike Webster. It primarily focuses on SEO topics, but also features valuable information about content marketing, digital marketing, and more. The podcast follows a casual, conversational format, with the hosts often rounding up audience questions and answering them. There have been around 200 episodes, so there is no shortage of content to listen to.
Edge of the Web
SEO expert Erin Sparks interviews prominent guests on this podcast. Each episode covers various important SEO and digital marketing topics. There are over 300 episodes and it is still going strong with new, informative episodes each week. It is a great source to find out the latest industry trends.
Online SEO Courses
From beginners in SEO to professionals brushing up on their skills, online courses are a great resource. There are many options out there customized to different experience levels. These are just a few of our favorites.
HubSpot’s SEO Training
This free SEO resource is a short, higher-level introduction to SEO. It will take just over an hour and a half to complete. The course will walk you through how you can determine your site’s SEO potential and show you how to develop a strategy. It will also teach you how to create content that ranks and build links to that content.
SEMrush Academy
SEMrush is one of the leading providers of SEO tools for marketers and they also have a learning center called SEMrush Academy. In it, you will find courses related to SEO, social media management, PPC, and content marketing. There are courses for beginners and more complex topics for more experienced SEO professionals. All of the courses are completely free and are prepared by SEO experts Greg Gifford and Bastian Grimm.
Yoast SEO Academy
If you use WordPress for your blog or website, you are probably familiar with Yoast SEO. Their plugin is one of WordPress’s most popular plugins. This is why their courses are a great place to learn about SEO for blogs and WordPress sites. The free course is full of useful details from which beginners to advanced professionals can benefit.
Google Analytics Academy
If you’re currently working in SEO marketing, you are probably already using Google Analytics. If you would like specific information about Google Analytics, this is the best place to go. After all, it is coming directly from Google. There are several courses available depending on your experience level and/or interest in the topic. There is Google Analytics for Beginners, Advanced Google Analytics, Google Analytics for Power Users, and Getting Started with Google Analytics 360. An added bonus is that when you complete these courses, you earn certifications. This can boost your resume and application during job hunts.
SEO Blogs
Blogs are a fantastic source of up-to-date information on SEO best practices. Plus, there is absolutely no shortage of blogs covering this important topic. The options are almost too numerous to mention, but here is a list of some of the best.
Search Engine Land
This blog is one of the best places to find “breaking news” as it relates to SEO. They always have the most recent information on anything and everything related to search. In addition, you will also find evergreen information and opinion pieces.
Search Engine Roundtable
This blog reports the most relevant and interesting SEO topics around the internet. It is unique because it is not simply a recapitulation of content. Instead, the articles connect the topic to a larger trend or idea. This helps readers understand how the topic fits into the larger SEO picture.
Moz
This SEO blog is a fan favorite for a reason. Its topics are almost endless and it is an excellent source of quick, reliable information. If you are ever in a situation where you need to know something ASAP, you can count on Moz. Their content is always clear and comprehensive and you can count on it being trustworthy. In addition to excellent written content, you don’t want to miss out on their Whiteboard Fridays. These are weekly videos that break down interesting and relevant topics in a different format.
Google Webmaster Central Blog
This is another place where you can get information directly from the source. Here you will be able to stay on top of all of Google’s latest announcements. Other contributors can also publish hot takes, analyses, and predictions. But for the most accurate information, check out Google’s original announcement post.
Using These SEO Resources Will Only Help You
As you probably know by now, there is no specific formula that will get you a number one ranking on Google. However, knowledge is still power. These SEO resources can provide you with valuable information to help you reach a higher ranking on search engines. Ultimately, this leads to more visitors to your website and more paying customers.