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SEO Primer - Search Engine Optimization for Beginners (Udemy.com)

An introduction to search engine optimization (SEO) and how to go about creating a website that Google will love.

Created by: Andrew Williams

Last updated April 2025

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What you will learn

  • Develop your own "SEO Mindset" to evaluate SEO techniques and opportunities
  • Know the main ranking factors in Google today, and go about optimizing their own website.
  • Create search engine optimized content for their website.
  • Understand the difference between White Hat, Black Hat and Grey Hat, and make the correct choices for their own website.
  • Create content that looks like it was written by an expert in the field, giving it the best possible chances of ranking in Google.

How it compares

Against the other 112 rated Udemy courses in SEO on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.6 out of 5higher than 81% of them
  • Reviews180#87 of 113 by number of reviews
  • Length1.8 hoursshorter than 82% of them
  • Last updatedApril 2025more recently than 52% of them

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Course Description

Unlock Your SEO Mindset: A Gentle Introduction to Sustainable Success

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by SEO? You’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in endless strategies and conflicting advice. That’s exactly why I created the "SEO Primer" course. My goal isn’t just to teach you how to optimize your website – it’s to give you something much more valuable: an SEO mindset.

Think of it like this: instead of handing you a list of SEO “tricks,” I’m going to teach you how to think about SEO the way Google does. Once you understand what search engines truly want, you’ll be able to adapt and thrive no matter how algorithms change. It’s about becoming resourceful and confident, not just following instructions.

In this course, I’ll walk you through the basics of SEO – what it is, why it’s essential, and how to approach it strategically. You’ll get the inside scoop on the three “shades” of SEO: Black Hat, White Hat, and Grey Hat. Knowing the difference is crucial because it helps you spot risky practices that could jeopardize your site’s future.

I’ll also take you on a quick journey through the past, showing you how SEO used to work. You’ll see real examples of outdated techniques that once brought success – and why they don’t work anymore. It’s a fascinating way to understand how SEO has evolved and where it’s headed.

Then we’ll focus on what matters most today: crafting high-quality content and building powerful backlinks. I’ll share my personal checklist – the "Holy Grail" of backlinks – so you’ll know exactly what to look for when assessing backlink opportunities.

By the end of this course, you won’t just know how to optimize your website – you’ll have the mindset to make smart, sustainable choices. You’ll be equipped to evaluate new techniques on the fly and stay resilient as SEO continues to change.

If you’re ready to approach SEO with clarity and confidence, let’s get started together.

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Instructor Details

Andrew Williams

I have written and published a number of books that are available on Amazon, including books on WordPress ("WordPress for Beginners 2026"), Self-Publishing ("Self-Publishing on Amazon 2025"), and A.I. (NotebookLM Mastery, ChatGPT for Beginners, ChatGPT for Seniors, AI for Students).  

I also run a website called ezSEONews, where I provide tutorials on a number of skills required for running a successful website.

As an ex-schoolteacher, I hope I can make complicated topics simple to understand.  I certainly enjoy trying! 

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Reviews

4.6

180 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

By Tia Ziah on 2/10/2026

a bit of overload information for beginners (i recommend taking it in your stride with breaks and not really follow all/much at once), and some terms i wasnt too familiar with or had a medium difficulty catching up to, but overall good to go for basics.

By Aviad Rosen on 4/14/2023

The course is very good for anyone who builds a website. As an employee of a big company, I only needed part of the knowledge presented. However, for my site-building activities outside work, it's a perfect match. Thanks!

By Lilian Kaunda on 7/6/2021

Topic well covered so far

By Deborah Townsend on 6/21/2018

He explains things well and lays out a solid foundation to build on.

By Larissa VanDuzer on 3/29/2018

It doesn't feel like he's talking down to me as a beginner but also he's making it understandable for someone who is just starting out and trying to grasp this concept.

By Dan Brown on 1/6/2017

For those who are new to SEO this was a well presented course. Also for those who are reasonably knowledgeable, but need a quick update (as SEO is always changing) this is very worthwhile. However, for those who are familiar with SEO and are reasonably up to date on the matter, I'd suggest taking the more advanced and detailed course Andy offers.

By Robert Felling on 12/9/2016

Thorough, user-oriented explanations. Thank you. I got the impression that I can provide multiple ratings during the course of a course. I hope so, and I plan to do that, because feedback along the way should help improve the quality of instruction.

By Anneke Visser on 6/15/2016

This course is exactly what the name says: aSEO Primer. It gives an overview and basic understanding of how SEO works today. With do's and don'ts.

By Frederick Winters on 8/5/2015

This course was well planned and gave the basic in and outs of SEO. Video and audio were very clear and made the learning experience pleasurable. The instructor gave example throughout the course which helps a lot. Highly recommended for beginners. Frederick

By Patricia Foskin on 7/28/2015

Andrew is very easy to listen to and understand. Very much enjoyed the course and found it interesting and informative.

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Overall Score : 92 / 100