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Top 11 SEO Manager Certifications

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Updated 16 min read

Certifications are an important asset for SEO Managers in the job market as they demonstrate a commitment to staying current with the latest trends and best practices in search engine optimization. Certifications can also provide employers with a basic level of assurance that their SEO Manager is knowledgeable, experienced, and capable of managing their company’s search engine optimization efforts. Additionally, certifications can provide SEO Managers with access to exclusive resources, discounts on products and services, and other benefits that can help them stay ahead of the competition. Ultimately, certifications are an important tool for any SEO Manager looking to stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive job market.

The article reviews some of the most beneficial certifications for SEO Managers and explains how they can help further a career in search engine optimization.

What are SEO Manager Certifications?

SEO Manager Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective SEO Manager. The certification is designed to teach professionals how to manage search engine optimization (SEO) campaigns, analyze website performance, and create strategies to improve ranking, visibility, and overall website performance. It also covers topics such as keyword research, content optimization, link building, social media marketing, and other aspects of SEO management.

The benefits of obtaining SEO Manager Certification include increased job security and higher salaries. Professionals who have earned this certification can demonstrate their expertise in the field of SEO and are more likely to be hired for positions that require advanced knowledge of SEO practices. Additionally, those with this certification may be able to negotiate better salaries or receive promotions more quickly than those without it. Additionally, many employers view SEO Manager Certification as an indication of superior skill and knowledge in the field.

Overall, obtaining a SEO Manager Certification can be extremely beneficial for professionals looking to advance their career in search engine optimization. It provides them with the necessary credentials and qualifications needed to gain employment in a highly competitive industry where having a specialized skill set is essential for success.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of free online education resources to learn more about SEO Manager Certification. There are many useful tutorials, webinars, and other educational materials available online that can help you become more knowledgeable about the certification process and what it takes to be successful.

Related: What does an SEO Manager do?

Top 11 SEO Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to SEO Managers today.

1. Google Ads Certification

Google Ads Certification is a free professional accreditation that Google offers to individuals who demonstrate proficiency in basic and advanced aspects of Google Ads. It is designed to help professionals show potential employers and clients that they have the skills to successfully manage a Google Ads campaign.

The certification process consists of two exams: the Google Ads Fundamentals exam and one of the five Advanced Advertising exams. The Fundamentals exam covers topics such as account structure, targeting, measurement, and optimization. The Advanced Advertising exams cover topics such as Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Video Advertising, Shopping Advertising, and Mobile App Advertising.

It takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete each exam. To get certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have passed both exams, your certification will be valid for 12 months from the date you passed them.

There is no cost associated with becoming certified in Google Ads.

2. Bing Ads Accreditation

Bing Ads Accreditation is an official certification program offered by Microsoft that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of Bing Ads and its features. It is designed to help advertisers maximize the performance of their campaigns and increase ROI.

In order to become accredited, you must pass an online exam consisting of multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as campaign setup, targeting options, optimization techniques, and reporting/analytics tools. To get certified, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on the exam.

The cost for taking the exam is $50 USD per attempt and it typically takes 1-2 hours to complete. Once you have passed the exam, your accreditation will be valid for one year. After that time period has expired, you will need to retake the exam in order to maintain your accreditation status.

In addition to passing the exam, you must also meet certain criteria in order to become accredited with Bing Ads. This includes having a minimum of three months of experience with Bing Ads campaigns, as well as having at least two active campaigns running at all times during your accreditation period.

3. SEOmoz Professional Certification

SEOmoz Professional Certification is a certification program offered by SEOmoz, an online marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) company. The certification is designed to help marketers and digital professionals demonstrate their knowledge of SEO best practices. It covers topics such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, content marketing, and analytics.

The certification process consists of two parts: the online assessment and the practical exam. The online assessment includes multiple choice questions about SEO best practices. It takes approximately 45 minutes to complete the assessment. After passing the online assessment, candidates must complete a practical exam that involves creating an SEO plan for a given website. This exam can take up to three hours to complete.

The cost of the certification is $399 USD for non-members or $299 USD for members of SEOmoz Pro. Members also receive discounts on other products and services from SEOmoz.

To get certified, candidates must first register with SEOmoz and create an account. Once registered, they will be able to access the online assessment and practical exam materials through their account dashboard. Candidates who pass both parts of the certification process will receive a certificate from SEOmoz verifying their achievement as well as access to additional resources such as webinars and industry events.

4. HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification

HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is an online certification program that provides a comprehensive overview of inbound marketing best practices. The course covers the fundamentals of inbound marketing, including content strategy, lead generation, conversion optimization, and analytics. It also covers the HubSpot platform and its features.

The course takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of eight modules. Each module includes interactive exercises, videos, quizzes, and other activities designed to help you learn the material quickly and effectively. The certification is free to take and can be completed at your own pace.

Once you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate of completion from HubSpot Academy. This certificate can be used as proof of your knowledge in inbound marketing when applying for jobs or pitching clients.

The cost for the HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is free; however, there are additional courses available through HubSpot Academy that may require payment if you choose to take them.

5. Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification

Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification is an online course offered by Hootsuite Academy that teaches professionals how to use social media to grow their business. The certification takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, and covers topics such as creating a social media strategy, setting goals, measuring success, and using Hootsuite tools.

The course is divided into five modules: Introduction to Social Media Marketing, Building Your Social Media Strategy, Creating Content for Your Audience, Engaging with Your Audience, and Analyzing Performance. Each module includes video lessons, quizzes and activities. At the end of the course there is a final exam which must be passed in order to receive the certification.

The cost of the Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification is $199 USD. This fee includes access to all course materials and the final exam. Once you have completed the course and passed the exam you will receive a digital certificate from Hootsuite Academy that can be shared on your LinkedIn profile or other professional networks.

6. SEMrush SEO Toolkit Certification

SEMrush SEO Toolkit Certification is a professional certification program designed to help digital marketers, SEO professionals, and website owners learn how to use the SEMrush SEO Toolkit. This certification program covers topics such as keyword research, competitive analysis, link building, content optimization, and more. It takes about 8 hours to complete the training and pass the exam.

To get certified, you need to sign up for an account on the SEMrush Academy website and purchase a course package. The cost of the course package varies depending on which one you choose. After completing the course and passing the exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your certificate.

The cost of the SEMrush SEO Toolkit Certification can range from $99 to $499 depending on which package you select.

7. BrightEdge Certified SEO Professional Program

The BrightEdge Certified SEO Professional Program is a comprehensive certification program designed to help digital marketers and SEO professionals gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s competitive online landscape. It is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) best practices, strategies, and tactics.

The program consists of four modules: Foundations of SEO, Advanced SEO Strategies, Content Optimization & Promotion, and Technical SEO & Analytics. Each module includes a series of lectures, activities, case studies, and quizzes that will help you gain a deep understanding of the topics covered.

The program typically takes around 8 weeks to complete but can be completed at your own pace. To get started, you must register for the program on BrightEdge’s website. The cost for the program is $1,499 USD.

8. Yoast SEO Academy

Yoast SEO Academy is an online training program that provides comprehensive instruction on how to optimize websites for search engine optimization (SEO). The program covers topics such as keyword research, content optimization, link building, technical SEO, and more. It is designed to help users of all levels learn the basics of SEO and become proficient in using Yoast's popular WordPress plugin.

The program consists of 4 modules with over 40 lessons and takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. Each module includes video tutorials, quizzes, and a certificate upon completion. Additionally, there are bonus materials such as ebooks and webinars available for purchase.

To get started with Yoast SEO Academy, you must first register for an account on their website. Once you have registered, you can purchase the course which costs $99 USD. After purchasing the course, you will receive access to the modules which you can work through at your own pace. Upon completion of each module, you will receive a certificate verifying your completion of the course.

Overall, Yoast SEO Academy is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about SEO or improve their knowledge of Yoast’s WordPress plugin.

9. Searchmetrics Suite Certified Professional

Searchmetrics Suite Certified Professional is a certification program that provides training and knowledge on the use of Searchmetrics Suite, an SEO platform that helps businesses to optimize their online presence. The certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment. The written exam tests your understanding of the Searchmetrics Suite platform, including its features and capabilities. The practical assessment evaluates your ability to apply the platform’s tools to real-world scenarios.

The certification process typically takes about four weeks to complete. To get certified, you must first register for the program by providing your contact information and payment details. Once registered, you will receive access to the training materials and practice exams needed to prepare for the written exam. After passing the written exam, you will be eligible to take the practical assessment.

The cost of getting certified as a Searchmetrics Suite Certified Professional is $599 USD. This fee covers access to all training materials, practice exams, and both exams (written and practical).

10. Moz Local Listing Score Certification

Moz Local Listing Score Certification is a program offered by Moz, an online marketing software company. It is designed to help businesses improve their local search engine optimization (SEO) and visibility. The certification is awarded after businesses complete a series of steps that include verifying their business information across the web, optimizing their listings on major sites such as Google My Business and Yelp, and tracking their progress over time.

The process typically takes around two weeks to complete, depending on how quickly the business can verify their information with each site. To get started, businesses must first sign up for a free Moz Local account. From there, they will be guided through the verification process step-by-step. Once all of the steps are completed, businesses will receive their certification within 24 hours.

The certification itself is free of charge; however, businesses may incur additional costs if they choose to upgrade to a paid Moz Local plan in order to access more advanced features or receive additional support from Moz’s team of experts. Additionally, some sites may require businesses to pay a fee in order to verify or update their information.

11. Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ)

Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) is a certification program that demonstrates proficiency in Google Analytics. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an advanced understanding of Google Analytics and its features.

The exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions and takes 90 minutes to complete. To pass the exam, you must score 80% or higher. The exam covers topics such as data collection, configuration, analysis, and reporting.

To get the certification, you need to register for the exam on the Google Partners website. The cost of taking the exam is $50 USD. After registering for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access it. You can take the exam at any time from your computer or mobile device.

Once you have completed and passed the exam, you will be awarded a digital certificate that can be shared online or printed out for display in your office or home office. This certificate is valid for 12 months after which time you must retake the exam if you wish to maintain your certification status.

Do You Really Need a SEO Manager Certificate?

No, you do not need an SEO Manager Certificate to be successful in the field of search engine optimization (SEO). While having a certificate may demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field, it is not required for success. Many professionals in this field have been able to achieve success without any formal education or certification.

The most important factor when it comes to SEO is having a solid understanding of the different elements that make up SEO and how those elements work together to improve a website’s ranking on search engines like Google. With the right knowledge and experience, anyone can become an effective SEO manager without needing a certificate.

Having said that, obtaining an SEO Manager Certificate can still be beneficial as it will help demonstrate your expertise and knowledge of the subject matter. It also shows potential employers that you are serious about your career and have taken the time to learn more about the subject. Additionally, some employers may require candidates to have a certain level of certification before they consider hiring them for an SEO position.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue an SEO Manager Certificate should depend on your own individual goals and aspirations. If you feel that having one would benefit your career then go for it; however, if you already have sufficient knowledge and experience then there’s no need to take on additional certifications.

Related: SEO Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About SEO Manager Certifications

1.Q: What is an SEO Manager Certification?

A: An SEO Manager Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have attained a certain level of expertise in search engine optimization (SEO). It demonstrates to employers and clients that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage SEO campaigns.

2.Q: How do I become certified as an SEO Manager?

A: To become certified as an SEO Manager, you must complete a course of study with an accredited institution or program. This typically includes courses in web analytics, keyword research, content optimization, link building, and other related topics. Additionally, you may need to pass an exam in order to receive your certification.

3.Q: What are the benefits of obtaining an SEO Manager Certification?

A: Obtaining an SEO Manager Certification can help demonstrate your expertise in the field and make you more attractive to potential employers or clients. It can also open up opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries. Additionally, having a certification may give you access to exclusive industry resources or discounts on products and services related to SEO campaigns.

4.Q: How long does it take to get certified as an SEO Manager?

A: The length of time it takes to obtain certification varies depending on the institution or program offering the certification and how much effort you put into studying for the exam. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months before becoming officially certified as an SEO Manager.

5.Q: Is there any cost associated with obtaining my certification?

A: Yes, there is usually a fee associated with obtaining your certification which covers costs such as registration fees, course materials, and exam fees.

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Brenna Goyette

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Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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