How to Learn SEO in 2025
(In Record Time)
Written by Brian Dean
This guide will help you learn SEO in record time.
The best part?
Everything here applies to SEO in 2025.
(In other words: you don’t need to worry about reading out-of-date stuff.)
So without further ado, let’s get started…
About The Author
I’m Brian Dean.
I remember when I first tried to learn SEO on my own…
It was REALLY frustrating.
Conflicting information.
Confusing terms.
And techniques that didn’t work.
Fast forward to today, and I rank top 3 in Google for competitive keywords, like “video SEO”:
“Keyword research tools”:
And “Ecommerce SEO”:
And Success Magazine considers me “the world’s foremost expert on search engine optimization”.
I’m not showing you all this to brag.
It’s to show you what’s possible when you learn SEO from the right sources.
Speaking of, that’s what this guide is all about.
It’s a collection of hand-picked resources to help teach yourself SEO… in record time.
Chapter 1:SEO Fundamentals
This chapter is all about teaching you the basics of search engine optimization.
So if you’re new to SEO, the resources below are a must-read.
Why?
They’ll help you get the basics down before we dive into the advanced SEO strategies later in this guide.
What is SEO? Complete Guide and Tutorial
(Backlinko)
This guide will take you from a complete SEO newbie (“What is this search engine optimization I keep hearing about?”) to a pro (“Title tags=optimized!”).
How Search Works
(YouTube)
If you want a plain-English answer to the question “how do search engines actually work?” this short video is for you.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide
(Google)
SEO advice straight from the horse’s mouth. A bit dense, but definitely worth reading.
The SEO Marketing Hub 2.0
(Backlinko)
The SEO Marketing Hub “Learning Center” is like a mini-Wikipedia for SEO knowledge. It has entries that cover keywords, outreach, indexing, and more.
How to Create an Effective SEO Strategy
(Backlinko)
Learn how the various elements of SEO (like content, promotion and branding) tie together. Specifically, this guide will give you a step-by-step action plan that you can follow to rank higher in Google.
The Definitive Guide To SEO
(Backlinko)
SEO is CONSTANTLY changing. And now that you’ve got the basics down, this guide will help catch you up with the most important SEO trends happening right now.
Chapter 2:Keyword Research
Keyword research is THE first step of any SEO campaign.
Unfortunately, it’s one of the most confusing steps too.
To start with:
How do you actually come up with keyword ideas?
Or even more important:
How do you choose the best keywords on your list?
If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, this chapter has you covered.
Keyword Research for SEO: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
This guide is designed to show you everything there is to know about keyword research, from generating keywords to evaluating the competition on Google’s first page.
The Lazy Writer’s Guide to 30-Minute Keyword Research
(Moz)
The title says it all. If you want an insanely fast keyword research process that only takes 30 minutes to implement, this post by Britney Muller is for you.
How to Research Keywords: A Step-By-Step Guide
(Orbit Media)
This highly practical guide walks you through a proven approach to keyword research step-by-step.
137 Experts Reveal Best Tools For Keyword Research
(Robbie Richards)
There are a million keyword research tools on the market. But which one should you choose? Well, Robbie Richards asked 137 SEO pros about the keyword tools they use every day. And you can find their favorites listed here.
Advanced Keyword Research Tutorial (5-Step Blueprint)
(YouTube)
This short video will show you how to put the concepts you learned so far into practice. Specifically, you’ll see a real-life, 5-step keyword research process in action.
Chapter 3:On-Page SEO
This chapter will show you how to optimize your content the right way in 2025.
Specifically, you’ll see exactly how to use advanced on-page SEO strategies (like “Bucket Brigades”) to get higher Google rankings and more organic traffic.
Let’s dive right in.
On-Page SEO: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
This is my regularly updated guide to on-page SEO. This visual guide covers the basics (like keyword usage) as well as some advanced strategies (like maximizing Dwell Time). I’m biased, but I think it’s pretty cool.
7 <Title Tag> Hacks for Increased Rankings + Traffic – Whiteboard Friday
(Moz)
Your title tag is THE most important part of on-page SEO. The question is: besides using your keyword, what else can you do to optimize your title tag? This advanced guide from Moz shows you seven ways to do just that.
On Page SEO – 9 Actionable Techniques That Work
(YouTube)
An on-page SEO tutorial that includes lots of real-life examples and case studies.
I made this video. So, again, I’m biased. But I think it’s really helpful for anyone looking to learn more about optimizing content.
SEO Case Study: How I Increased My Organic Traffic 652% in 7 Days
(Backlinko)
In-depth SEO case study about an advanced content optimization strategy called “Skyscraper Technique 2.0”.
SEO Copywriting: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
As it turns out, there’s more to on-page SEO than optimizing for keywords. In fact, a big part of SEO in 2025 is writing for humans AND search engines (also known as: “SEO copywriting”). And this post will hook you up with actionable SEO copywriting techniques.
Chapter 4:Technical SEO
Don’t sleep on technical SEO.
If Google can’t access all the pages on your site, your rankings WILL suffer.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a Silicon Valley whiz kid to master technical SEO.
In fact, the resources here will show you specific steps you can use to master technical SEO.
(No Computer Science degree required.)
Google Search Console: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
The Google Search Console might be the most important SEO tool on the planet. Why? Because the data you get from this tool comes straight from Google. Unfortunately, the Search Console isn’t that user-friendly.
Enter: this guide. In it, you’ll see exactly how to use GSC’s main features. That way, you can get the most out of this powerful piece of SEO software.
Step-by-Step “Technical SEO” Checklist
(WEBRIS)
Want a quick checklist to make sure your technical SEO is in good shape? Then don’t miss this interactive checklist from WEBRIS.
The 15-Step SEO Audit Checklist
(Backlinko)
Whether you’re killing it with SEO, or struggling to crack the first page, an SEO audit can help give your rankings a shot in the arm.
This step-by-step process makes doing an SEO site audit accessible and easy.
The Beginner’s Guide to Structured Data for SEO: How to Implement It
(Moz)
Many SEOs consider structured data to be the “next big thing” in SEO.
(I don’t agree, but that’s another story. 🙂 )
Either way, structured data can definitely help you get more search engine traffic. Fortunately, Moz put together a very helpful two-part guide to structured data for non-techy people (like me).
Mobile SEO: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
This guide will show you exactly how to get your site is ready for Google’s mobile-first index.
Website Architecture and Internal Links
(Moz)
Whether you run a WordPress blog or a massive ecommerce site, your site’s structure is super important. And in this helpful guide, you’ll learn how to set up your site architecture the right way. Includes a helpful video.
Chapter 5:Link Building & Content Promotion
Are backlinks still important in 2025?
Absolutely.
In fact, Google recently stated that links remain one of their “top 3” ranking signals.
The question is: How do you build links that work?
This chapter will show you the ropes.
Link Building for SEO: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
This is my comprehensive guide to building backlinks. It covers the basics (like why backlinks are important). But I also made sure to include lots of advanced content, like case studies and pro tips.
7 Actionable Ways to Loot Your Competitors’ Backlinks
(Ahrefs)
When it comes to finding GREAT link opportunities, nothing beats copying your competitors. Here’s an actionable post on “looting” your competitors’ links.
How to Promote Your Blog: 21 NEW Strategies
(Backlinko)
Learn super actionable tips and techniques that you can use to promote the content that you publish. Includes advanced social media promotional strategies.
How to Get High Quality Backlinks (7 New Strategies)
(Backlinko)
These are 7 of my favorite link building strategies right now, including The Moving Man Method and HARO.
Sustainable Link Building: Increasing Your Chances of Getting Links
(Moz)
Learn insider SEO and link building tips from someone that’s run hundreds of campaigns. Recommended.
17 Advanced Methods for Promoting Your New Piece of Content
(Neil Patel)
Publishing an awesome piece of content is just the beginning. To get links, traffic and shares, you’ll need to promote it. This post shows how to get your content in front of influential people that can share and link to your stuff.
Chapter 6:UX Signals
Google is getting smart.
REALLY smart.
In fact, thanks to an AI algorithm called RankBrain, Google can tell whether or not people like your site.
If they do? Then you can expect a serious rankings boost.
If not? Google’s going to bury your site.
That’s why so-called “UX signals” are REALLY important for SEO right now.
And the collection of resources here will teach you how to optimize your site for these key UX signals.
We Analyzed 5 Million Google Search Results. Here’s What We Learned About Organic CTR
(Backlinko)
We used rare access to several Google Search Console accounts to learn why certain Google search results have high (or low) click through rates.
Google RankBrain: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
RankBrain is a HUGE Google ranking factor right now. Unfortunately, most of the content out there on RankBrain is super technical and hard to understand. Enter: this plain-English guide.
My Single Best SEO Tip for Improved Web Traffic
(Moz)
Nothing beats a simple, step-by-step process you can use to get higher rankings and more traffic. And this post by Cyrus Shepard delivers exactly that.
The SEO Ranking Factor You MUST Master This Year
(YouTube)
See why I ranked on the first page for “how to get high”… and what it taught me about SEO.
Hacking RankBrain: How To Survive SEO Judgment Day
(Larry Kim)
I was lucky enough to see this presentation live. And it absolutely blew me away.
11 Amazing Hacks That Will Boost Your Organic Click-Through Rates
(Search Engine Land)
There’s no doubt in my mind that Google uses click-through rate (CTR) as a ranking signal. But how do you get more people to click on your site in the search results? This infographic has everything you need to know.
Chapter 7:Video SEO
Video is EXPLODING right now.
(In fact, according to Cisco, 81% of all traffic will be from videos in 2021. Crazy.)
But for people to find your videos, you need to optimize them the right way.
That’s exactly what this chapter is all about:
Tips and strategies to help you rank your videos in Google and YouTube search.
YouTube SEO: How to Rank YouTube Videos
(Backlinko)
This guide takes you by the hand and shows you exactly how to rank your videos in YouTube.
Video Marketing: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
Just like with text-based content, publishing awesome videos can indirectly help your video SEO in a number of different ways. This new guide will show you how to plan, shoot, edit, and optimize your video content for maximum results.
Reverse Engineering YouTube Search
(Briggsby)
This is an extensive industry study of potential YouTube ranking factors. It’s definitely for advanced YouTubers. So if you’re new to video SEO, I’d come back to this after you get the basics down.
How to Grow Your YouTube Channel
(Backlinko)
This in-depth guide will show you how to get more views and subscribers on YouTube. Including the exact strategies I used to grow from zero to 450k+ subscribers.
21 Ways to Promote Your YouTube Video
(Backlinko)
Learn how to get more views on your YouTube videos… even if you don’t have a ton of subscribers yet.
Video SEO – How to Rank #1 in YouTube
(YouTube)
This video contains 9 actionable tips for optimizing your videos, including strategies to improve your Watch Time, CTR, and more.
The YouTube Marketing Hub
(Backlinko)
A library of free content that’s designed to help you setup your YouTube channel for the first time… or grow the channel that you already have.
Chapter 8:Amazing SEO Case Studies
If you’re like me, you learn best from examples.
And you’re in luck:
This chapter is made up of 100% awesome SEO case studies.
That way, you can see the strategies you’ve learned so far in action.
Zero to One Million: an SEO Campaign Blueprint
(Matthew Barby)
See how Matthew took a site from zero to one million visits in less than a year with a mix of digital marketing strategies (like blogging, social media, content marketing, and SEO).
How to Get 260.7% More Organic Traffic In 14 Days
(Backlinko)
This case study will show you how to get more traffic… without needing to bang out a new article every week.
How We Scaled a Startup from 0 Organic Traffic to 100,000 Visitors/Month
(Yes Optimist)
This is a “big picture” guide to growing a site’s SEO from scratch. So if want to take a break from tactics and teach yourself SEO using a high-level approach, check this one out.
Link Building Case Study: How I Increased My Search Traffic by 110% in 14 Days
(Backlinko)
Learn how I used something called “The Skyscraper Technique” to double my organic traffic in a super competitive industry.
White Hat SEO Case Study: 1,000+ Daily Visitors (In < 6 Months)
(Bill Widmer)
So you just created a site about RVs. And you want to rank it for all sorts of keywords. What do you do? Well, Bill Widmer was in that exact same spot. And in this case study, he shows you how he grew his RV site from scratch using white hat SEO.
How to Rank #1 in Google [Step-by-Step Case Study]
(YouTube)
A video tutorial that walks you through the key strategies that helped me hit the top spot in Google for the keyword: “list building”.
Bonus Chapter:The Best SEO Resources… Ever
No need for a long intro here.
This chapter is a collection of my all-time favorite SEO-related blog posts, videos, and guides.
Local SEO: The Definitive Guide
(Backlinko)
Did you know that, according to Search Engine Land, 43% of Google searches are local (like “pizza NYC”). If you run a local business, or an agency that helps local businesses with their SEO, I think you’ll enjoy this comprehensive guide to ranking your website in The Map Pack.
13 Advanced Link Building Strategies You Probably Haven’t Used
(Detailed)
I love me a new link building strategy (I’m a nerd like that). So imagine my delight when I came across this list of 13 untapped strategies for building links. And it lived up to my expectations.
Large-Scale Study: How to Rank for Featured Snippets
(SEMrush)
Featured Snippets are a HUGE part of getting traffic from SEO in 2025. But how do you get your content inside a Featured Snippet? Semush and SEO expert AJ Ghergich teamed up to answer that exact question.
SEO Tools: The Complete List
(Backlinko)
A few years ago, I realized something:
There were A LOT of SEO tools out there. But no single place listed (and rated) each one. So I personally tested over 280 tools. And after weeding out the crap, I was left with this list of 177 quality SEO tools.
100+ Google SEO Success Factors, Ranked
(Zyppy)
You may have read that there are 200+ ranking factors in Google’s algorithm. Unfortunately, lots of them (like your domain’s age) are hard or impossible to optimize for. That’s why this guide focuses 100% on “success factors” that you can actually influence… sorted by importance.
19 NEW SEO Techniques
(Backlinko)
There’s not much to say that the title doesn’t cover. In this post you’ll find a list of 19 SEO insanely tactical techniques that you can use to boost your search engine rankings.
Google Algorithm Change History
(Moz)
Google makes hundreds of changes to their algorithm every year. Knowing that: how do you keep track of them all? Well, the comprehensive “Google Algorithm Change History” makes staying on top of Google’s constant updates (relatively) easy.
Advanced Step-By-Step SEO Tutorial
(YouTube)
This video walks you through the specific steps you need to get higher Google rankings this year, including loading speed, technical SEO, content, links, and more.
11 Proven Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website
(Ahrefs)
SEO nerds rejoice! In this post you’ll find 11 detailed SEO tactics that have helped Ahrefs grow its revenue by +65% year over year.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helps you quickly learn SEO (and eventually master it).
Now I’d like to turn it over to you:
What was your favorite resource from this guide?
Or maybe you have an excellent piece of content that you think I should add.
Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.