Upskilling is always a good idea, whether you’re hoping to boost your business or looking to expand into new areas.
Getting an SEO certification can offer a business so many benefits. This can include enhanced skills, credibility and the ability to implement effective strategies. Investing time and money in certification equips teams with the knowledge to stay ahead of search engine algorithm updates and optimise content efficiently.
Plus, who doesn’t love showing off a new, shiny certification?
In this blog, we list 7 top SEO certifications for digital marketers worth pursuing in 2025. Here are the things you need to consider.
Do I really need an SEO certification?
As an SEO agency, we’re often asked this question from our clients and network.
The digital marketing landscape is always evolving, and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is a vital component. While SEO certifications aren’t mandatory, they can be incredibly beneficial to businesses for several reasons.
Firstly, SEO certifications provide structured learning that covers the fundamentals and advanced techniques in SEO. This knowledge is invaluable for anyone looking to improve their understanding of search engine algorithms and optimisation strategies.
Certifications from reputable organisations like Google or Semrush lend credibility to your business and demonstrate your commitment to mastering SEO, which can be a significant advantage in a competitive market.
Certifications can also help bridge knowledge gaps and ensure that your skills are in line with the latest industry trends. While hands-on experience is essential, a certification can complement practical skills by providing insights into new tools, techniques and best practices.
Read 5 steps to the perfect SEO strategy.
What should I consider when looking for the right SEO certification?
A number of factors should influence your decision when it comes to finding the right SEO certification for your business, including:
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Relevance and content – Check that the certification covers topics that align with your goals and needs. Look for comprehensive courses that include both fundamental and advanced SEO strategies.
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Credibility of the provider – Choose certifications from reputable organisations or institutions known for their expertise in SEO. Well-recognised certifier can add significant value to your business profile.
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Cost – Check the costs of certification. Consider the price of the course plus any additional expenses such as study materials or exam fees. Balance your budget with the potential return on investment.
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Time investment – Look into the time commitment required for the certification. Check that the course structure fits within your schedule.
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Practical application – Choose a certification that offers practical, hands-on experience. Real-world projects and case studies can boost your understanding and help you learn skills that can be directly applied to your business.
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Updates and support – Think about whether the certification offers ongoing updates to keep up with changing SEO requirements. Access to support and resources can also be beneficial for ongoing learning.
7 top SEO certifications for marketers
Moz SEO Essentials
Free or paid: Paid
Moz’s SEO Essentials Certificate is known for its detailed curriculum that focuses on actionable SEO strategies.
The course looks at core SEO skills such as site audits, link building and reporting, providing learners with practical knowledge that can be immediately applied. Moz has a good reputation as an industry leader in SEO tools and resources.
Semrush Academy SEO Courses
Free or paid: Free
Semrush Academy offers a diverse range of SEO courses designed to cater to both beginners and professionals. These courses are particularly valuable due to their comprehensive approach, covering everything from keyword research to competitive analysis using the Semrush platform.
The flexibility of online learning combined with the expertise of industry leaders makes Semrush Academy a top choice for those seeking to enhance their SEO skills.
HubSpot SEO Certification Course
Free or paid: Free
The HubSpot SEO Certification Course stands out for its practical approach to SEO strategy. It covers essential topics such as link building, content marketing and technical SEO, with a focus on integrating SEO practices into broader marketing plans.
As a free course, it offers exceptional value, especially for marketers looking to leverage SEO within inbound marketing frameworks.
Google SEO Fundamentals by UC Davis
Free or paid: Free
Delivered through Coursera, the Google SEO Fundamentals course by UC Davis provides a strong foundation in SEO principles. This course is ideal for beginners and focuses on the mechanics of search engines, keyword theory and on-page optimisation.
The collaboration with Google ensures that the content is relevant and aligned with current industry standards, making it a trustworthy option for foundational SEO learning.
Yoast All-Around SEO Training
Free or paid: Paid
Yoast’s All-Around SEO Training is perfect for those seeking to improve their WordPress site’s SEO performance. Known for its popular SEO plugin, Yoast offers training that blends technical SEO with content optimisation and usability.
This course is particularly beneficial for website owners and content creators looking to maximise their reach and engagement on WordPress platforms.
Ahrefs SEO Certification
Free or paid: Free
Ahrefs is famous for its powerful SEO tools, and its certification course builds on this expertise by teaching you how to effectively use these tools for SEO success. The SEO Certification course covers essential topics like keyword research, competitor analysis and link building.
Its practical focus on using Ahrefs tools for data-driven decisions makes it a valuable choice for marketers looking to improve their analytical skills.
Simplilearn Advanced SEO Certification Training
Free or paid: Paid
Simplilearn’s Advanced SEO Certification Training is comprehensive, covering a wide array of advanced SEO tactics and strategies. This course is designed for those with some prior SEO knowledge, aiming to deepen their understanding of technical SEO, analytics and mobile SEO.
The inclusion of real-world projects and simulations offers practical insights that are crucial for mastering complex SEO techniques.
How do I find the right SEO certification?
Not all SEO certifications are made equal. Finding the right SEO certification for your business involves a strategic approach to check that it’s right for you.
Here are some of the questions you should be asking:
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What are my needs? Begin by identifying the specific SEO skills and knowledge you or your team needs to develop. This will help you focus on certifications that cover these areas comprehensively so you can spend your budget wisely.
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Have I done enough research? Investigate certification providers thoroughly. Look for those with strong reputations, quality course content, and industry recognition to ensure you get a valuable and credible education.
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What do the reviews and testimonials say? Read feedback from past participants. Reviews and testimonials provide insights into the effectiveness, quality and real-world applicability of the certification.
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What are my competitors doing? Look at what certifications your competitors have – if you can equal them or find something better, you could give yourself the edge.
Improve your website’s SEO
You may not have the skills to transform your website’s SEO just yet but our team of SEO experts can! We look at everything from backlinks to technical SEO to keywords and content.
Our thorough SEO audits can paint a detailed picture of business’s online presence, highlighting areas that are ticking along nicely or underperforming.
Discover Submerge’s full range of SEO agency services, or contact us today to find out how we can help.
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