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Master content-driven SEO strategies from one of the industry's most respected experts
We dove deep into Content-Led SEO by Brian Dean, and here's what we discovered. This free course on Semrush Academy teaches you how to build organic traffic through strategic content creation. Brian Dean, the founder of Backlinko (with over 5 million readers), brings his proven frameworks to this 3-hour video series.
The course focuses on what Brian calls the "Linkreators" approach, teaching you to identify and create content for people who actively share and link to content in your niche. We found the curriculum covers everything from keyword research to content promotion, with 17 video lessons totaling about 3 hours and 10 minutes.
What caught our attention? Brian demonstrates every technique using Semrush's tools. While the principles apply universally, you'll need a Semrush subscription (starting at $100+/month) to follow along exactly as shown. This isn't necessarily bad, it's just something to know upfront.
The course structure moves logically from audience research ("Who Are the Linkreators?") through topic selection, keyword targeting, and content creation frameworks like the "Trademark Technique" and "Go-To Guidebook" method. We appreciated how Brian breaks down complex SEO concepts into actionable steps that even beginners can follow.
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Learn A New Skill
The SEO community respects Brian Dean's teaching, though opinions vary on the course certificate's value. Most praise comes from beginners and intermediate marketers who find the content immediately actionable.
Reddit's r/SEO community frequently recommends this course to beginners, with users noting "Great for practical starters, but not in-depth for senior SEOs." Quora discussions echo this sentiment, positioning it as an excellent starting point but not a game-changer for experienced professionals.
Users view this as a top-tier free resource for SEO beginners, though the certificate itself won't advance careers. The teaching quality justifies the time investment.
The promise to teach "Brian Dean's system to rank top 3 in Google" comes with appropriate disclaimers about effort and time required. We found this refreshingly honest compared to many SEO courses.
Always free since launch, no bait-and-switch tactics detected
Soft promotion of Semrush throughout, but no aggressive sales tactics
Brian claims "students get results in every industry under the sun," though specific data isn't publicly available. Success stories exist but lack concrete metrics.
Classic content marketing done right. Provides genuine value while showcasing the paid product. No deceptive practices or unrealistic promises.
Semrush Academy delivers a clean, professional experience with automatic progress tracking
Stream-only videos, no downloads. Includes worksheets and supplementary resources
Fully responsive design works smoothly on all devices
Basic internet connection and modern browser
For a free platform, we're impressed. The video quality rivals paid courses, with clear audio and helpful graphics. Navigation is intuitive, though we'd love downloadable content for offline viewing.
We found no major complaints about the course content or delivery. Minor grumbles focus on the entry-level nature and promotional aspects.
Not applicable (free course)
Transparent about being a Semrush product. No hidden agenda or misleading promises about overnight success.
No significant concerns raised in SEO communities. Some wish for more advanced content, but expectations align with the free price point.
This course passes our legitimacy checks with flying colors. It's exactly what it claims to be, a free introduction to content-led SEO that showcases Semrush's tools.
At zero cost, the ROI is infinite if you implement even one successful strategy. The real investment is your time (about 3 hours) and potentially a Semrush subscription for full implementation.
We confidently recommend Content-Led SEO by Brian Dean as a legitimate, high-value resource for SEO beginners. Yes, it's a marketing tool for Semrush, but that doesn't diminish its educational value. Brian Dean's reputation speaks for itself, he's taught SEO to millions through Backlinko, and this course distills his core strategies into digestible lessons. The certificate won't land you a job, but the knowledge will help you rank content. For experienced SEOs, you'll likely find it too basic. For everyone else? It's one of the best free SEO courses available. Just remember, you'll get the most value with a Semrush subscription, so factor that into your decision.
At zero cost, the ROI is infinite if you implement even one successful strategy. The real investment is your time (about 3 hours) and potentially a Semrush subscription for full implementation.
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We dove deep into Content-Led SEO by Brian Dean, and here's what we discovered. This free course on Semrush Academy teaches you how to build organic t...
We dove deep into Content-Led SEO by Brian Dean, and here's what we discovered. This free course on Semrush Academy teaches you how to build organic t...
We dove deep into Content-Led SEO by Brian Dean, and here's what we discovered. This free course on Semrush Academy teaches you how to build organic t...
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