How Much Does It Cost To Learn SEO?

SEO is a profitable enterprise. You can start your own freelance company or agency. Or you can learn it for your business and never have to pay an SEO agency. There are pros and cons to both situations. I researched several of the various SEO courses and certifications that are available out there. Let's take a look and see if it's worth it to learn SEO. 

Key:

🦶 = Gets your foot in the door.
💯 = Great value
🤔 = Think about it

The Gotch Academy 🤔 🦶

This is a great place to learn SEO if you are going to be an expert. However, there are a few drawbacks to the program, mainly the price and the NDA. The Gotch SEO Academy costs around $8,800. This includes full access to resources to learn SEO and to develop process to start an agency. Gotch SEO Academy gets your foot in the door, but for most people, the price is way too high. And the NDA might be a turnoff.

Moz SEO Academy 🦶

Moz has several courses in its SEO academy. The Moz SEO Essentials Course is $595. There are several different courses available in the academy. However, they are kind of all over the place. You can buy different kinds of courses, such as a keyword research course, real life scenarios, and other programs that help you learn the nuances of SEO.

If you really want to take this course, keep it in mind. However, $595 for a self-guided course warrants careful consideration. 

Ahrefs Academy 💯

Ahrefs Academy is a great resource that offers a mix of free and paid courses. If you’re looking for fundamental SEO knowledge, their free courses are a great start. They cover everything from keyword research to technical SEO. Ahrefs also offers premium courses tailored for advanced users, which can be worth the investment if you want to scale your SEO skills for business or freelancing. The best part? Their free resources are some of the best in the industry, making it an excellent value.

SEMrush Academy 💯

SEMrush Academy provides a variety of free courses that teach SEO, PPC, and content marketing strategies. The courses are well-structured, include certifications, and cover both beginner and advanced topics. If you’re already using SEMrush as a tool, these courses are a no-brainer because they help you maximize the platform’s potential. And since they’re free, this is a great option to get started with no upfront cost.

Yoast SEO Academy 🦶

Yoast SEO Academy has both free and paid courses focused primarily on WordPress SEO. The premium course is $99 per year and provides a deep dive into on-page SEO optimization, schema markup, and site structure. This is a solid investment if you run a WordPress website and want hands-on training for optimizing your site’s content. However, if you’re looking to become a full-fledged SEO professional, you might need a more comprehensive program.

Coursera & Udemy SEO Courses 🤔

Coursera and Udemy offer a mix of free and paid SEO courses. Some are taught by university professors, while others are created by SEO professionals. The biggest downside is that the quality varies widely. Some courses provide great insights, while others are outdated or too basic. If you decide to take a course on these platforms, check the reviews and instructor credibility before purchasing. While Udemy courses often go on sale for as low as $15, Coursera can be more expensive but sometimes offers certifications from well-known institutions.

Is Learning SEO Worth It?

Yes, learning SEO is worth it—but the right course depends on your goals and budget. If you’re a business owner looking to improve your site’s rankings, free courses from Ahrefs or SEMrush might be all you need. If you want to start a career in SEO, a more structured program like Gotch Academy (if you can afford it) or Moz SEO Academy could be beneficial. Just make sure to choose a program that aligns with your learning style and long-term goals