38 Free SEO Resources & Tools the Pros Use

I don’t consider in gated content material anymore. If you look laborious sufficient, you possibly can just about all the time discover what you want without spending a dime on the web. Of course, there are many unhealthy apples on the internet, however in the SEO area, there are scores of free SEO assets and instruments at your fingertips.

Whether you’re simply beginning out in SEO, making an attempt to take the subsequent step in your SEO profession or are a veteran trying to check out new instruments and be taught extra from Google’s eye, the following 38 free SEO instruments and assets will elevate your profession.

1. Barry Schwartz: @rustybrick

Barry is the founding father of the Search Engine Roundtable and information editor of Search Engine Land. The man is synonymous with SEO information and Google updates. If Google is testing even the smallest merchandise — akin to a brand new button shade or new image in search that few folks would even discover — Barry will report on it. If you wish to sustain with SEO information, Barry is a must-follow.

2. John Mueller: @JohnMu

John is a search advocate at Google and certainly one of the prime SEOs at Google. When folks have questions on their Google visitors, an algorithm replace or wish to be taught the fundamentals of SEO, they go to John. John has labored at Google for greater than 13 years. Lately, he’s been extra accessible by way of Twitter, podcasts and video sequence. You will see his identify fairly a bit on this article.

3. Danny Sullivan: @dannysullivan

Danny co-founded Search Engine Land and has been in the digital reporting area for greater than 20 years. He joined Google in 2017 as their public liaison between the search-engine big and the public. His job is to assist folks higher perceive search and Google higher hear public suggestions. As you possibly can think about, he will get loads of unfavorable suggestions when an SEO’s Google visitors goes down.

4. Gary Illyes: @methode

Gary’s official title is Google webmaster tendencies analyst, however he’s the comedian of the group. Along with John and Danny, Gary helps folks construct higher web sites. Pre-COVID, Gary was commonly at the convention scene, serving to attendees with their technical SEO. Gary sometimes joins John on podcasts, though half the time, he simply offers John a tough time.

5. Martin Splitt: @g33konaut

Martin is a developer at Google and the resident JavaScript skilled. JavaScript and SEO traditionally didn’t mesh properly, however modern-day web sites require JavaScript. Martin’s job is to assist site owners construct JavaScript-based web sites that Googlebot can learn, perceive and render. If you ever have a JavaScript query, Martin is your man.

6. (*38*)

Daniel is a search advocate at Google and actually focuses on SEO coaching. Whether it’s Google Search Console (GSC) coaching or safety coaching, Daniel can assist you grasp what numerous SEO instruments are telling you about methods to repair a specific downside. Given the magnitude of web site safety warnings, it’s important you take heed to what Daniel has to say.

7. Google Search Central: @googlesearchc

The Google Search Central account is actually the all-in-one Google search Twitter account. Whether it’s a brand new weblog submit, YouTube video or convention from Google, this account will let . If you adopted just one Twitter account from this record to get the most bang on your buck, this might be it.

8. Google Search Liaison: @searchliaison

Google Search Liaison used to simply cowl Google search information and the weblog posts Google writes, however recently, it’s develop into the go-to supply for broad core updates. These are large upgrades Google makes to its algorithm about 4 or 5 instances a 12 months. Knowing once they hit is essential for any SEO, as you should be ready for visitors modifications thereafter.

9. Google Trends: @GoogleTrends

Google is aware of what persons are looking out, and Google Trends inform you simply that. Based on trade, folks, location and extra, Google Trends enables you to see what your customers and potential customers are looking out. Using Google Trends is a terrific supply for content material planning or recognizing the hottest SEO trends of the year.

10. Lily Ray: @lilyraynyc

Lily Ray is a senior director of SEO and head of natural analysis at Amsive Digital, an company in New York. Having entry to so many purchasers and prepared to share these insights on-line is uncommon, however Lily does it higher than anybody in the enterprise. Her SEO experience is second to none and incessantly speaks at SEO conferences, together with the Googlers above.

11. Glenn Gabe: @glenngabe

Glenn is an SEO guide at G-Squared Interactive. He focuses on technical SEO audits, however on Twitter, he offers an unbelievable quantity of worth after Google updates. Glenn will spot what web sites improved or diagressed after an algorithm replace and share what he thinks Google focused. Knowing what damage you after an replace may be very laborious to diagnose, however Glenn’s evaluation makes it a lot easier.

12. Kristina Azarenko: @azarchick

Kristina is my remaining SEO guide to observe on Twitter. She focuses on e-commerce SEO and even wrote the book on it. If you promote merchandise in your web site and need extra folks touchdown immediately on these merchandise from Google, Kristina is your skilled.

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13. Google Search Central: Google Search Console Training

Google Search Console is Google’s means of messaging you about your web site. GSC offers you website analytics, pace analytics, safety updates, sitemap entry, structured information updates and the all-important protection replace. Fortunately, Daniel Waisberg (from above) hosts a GSC coaching sequence on YouTube to get you up and operating with GSC and goes into element on each single instrument inside.

14. Google Search Central: #AskGooglebot

John Mueller solutions particular SEO questions starting from sitemaps and GSC experiences to redirects and subdomains. Most movies are beneath two minutes, and given the entry to certainly one of Google’s prime SEOs, following this playlist is a no brainer. Plus, you possibly can submit your individual SEO questions.

15. Google Search Central: JavaScript SEO Office Hours

Martin Splitt, our JavaScript SEO skilled, used to host workplace hours by way of YouTube. While this playlist nonetheless has tons of helpful data for anybody doing SEO on a JavaScript web site (almost everybody), it has not been up to date lately. However, Martin does host reside JavaScript SEO Q&A by way of his Twitter and the Google Search Central YouTube channel pretty typically. See how to join office hours.

16. Google Search Central: English Google SEO Office Hours

English SEO workplace hours is your likelihood to ask the execs what you need. Like the JavaScript workplace hours above, you possibly can interrogate John and different SEOs at Google. Luckily for all of us with busy schedules, all workplace hours are recorded and could be seen by way of this playlist. Of course, you may as well join one yourself.

17. Google Search Central: Google Search News

Every few weeks, John sums up the information at Google. He actually takes his new reporting to the subsequent degree with this as they attempt to imitate an actual information broadcast. From convention recaps and algorithm updates to imminent Google modifications and hyperlink constructing, John covers the important gadgets all SEOs have to know.

18. Google Search Central: Search Central Lightning Talks

Google holds plenty of in-person conferences, however when COVID hit, like a lot of the occasion trade, the whole lot went digital. In an ideal pivot, Google created these conference-style talks that make you overlook you’re at house in your pajamas. The Google search staff lined mobile-first indexing, HTTPs, JavaScript and way more. Even higher, they’re nonetheless releasing these movies, that are free. Congratulations, you simply saved your organization a whole bunch of {dollars} by not attending one other SEO convention.

19. Google Search Central: Sustainable Monetized Websites

If you’re making an attempt to become profitable out of your articles on-line, that is the YouTube sequence for you. It focuses on monetizing websites that depend on publishing articles. They clarify how skinny content material, duplicate content material and user-generated content material ought to and shouldn’t be used to develop your website visitors and backside line.

20. Perficient, Inc.: Eric Enge’s ‘Here’s Why’

Eric Enge is certainly one of the most well-known SEOs in the nation. He incessantly keynotes SEO conferences and is the digital advertising and marketing principal at Perficient. Every Monday, he unpacks the“why” behind the “what” in a video sequence he hosts with different SEO and digital specialists. He closely focuses on what site owners must be doing to not solely rank higher in serps however present the finest consumer expertise for his or her readers.

21. Search Off the Record

This is my private favourite SEO podcast, that includes the large canines at Google. John, Gary and Martin banter about behind the scenes workings at Google search, why some selections are made, convention highlights and extra. In addition, Gary tends to bicker with all different members, including a comic book aptitude to it.

22. Duct Tape Marketing

Duct Tape’s podcast branches out past SEO, into all advertising and marketing matters. They interview prime entrepreneurs akin to Seth Godin and Ben Shapiro, and all the time deal with customers. Remember, what’s good for the user is good for Google, so likelihood is, you’ll choose up a number of SEO methods with each episode.

23. Search Engine Journal Show

SEJ additionally goes past SEO, however as the PPC and SEO chief in information, reporting and evaluation, what they are saying issues. In addition to those matters, additionally they focus on social media, content material advertising and marketing and digital advertising and marketing with the prime trade specialists. Any digital marketer is doing themselves a disservice in the event that they’re not listening to this podcast.

24. Quick Guide to SEO

If you’re operating a website however don’t have time to be taught the SEO fundamentals, this Google information will set you up for achievement. From studying how Google search works to measuring efficiency by way of GSC, this brief information with movies offers you fundamentals to stand up and operating.

25. Beginner’s Guide to SEO

If you’re new to SEO however actually wish to be taught the fundamentals and provides your self an excellent SEO basis, take a look at this newbie’s information. From organising GSC to studying how crawling, indexing and optimization works, this one is a should for anybody simply moving into the SEO world.

26. Advanced SEO Techniques and Strategies

Once you graduate from the above, it’s time to actually get your palms soiled. This superior SEO information goes into the weeds akin to robots.txt recordsdata, XML sitemaps, website migrations, worldwide SEO, structured information and extra. It additionally focuses on content material SEO akin to video, pictures and information. There is quite a bit right here, however in the event you grasp all of it, take into account your self an SEO skilled.

27. Google Search Central Help Community

If you ever have a query about your website, SEO or Google, however you possibly can’t discover it in the assist docs above, I extremely suggest this assist discussion board. Those answering are educated professionals who’re Google-appointed specialists (regardless that they don’t work at Google). I’ve used this discussion board a whole bunch of instances in my profession, and 90 p.c of the time, they’ve the reply I wanted. Don’t be shy; ask away.

28. Search Engine Roundtable

As talked about above, Barry Schwartz is synonymous with SEO information and Google updates. If you don’t wish to miss an replace, A/B check or bug, you then want to enroll in Barry’s weekday e-newsletter. It recaps all tales printed, regardless of how miniscule the replace could also be. This one e-newsletter can prevent hours digging via Twitter or the Google Search Central weblog.

29. Search Engine Land

Search Engine Land dives deeper into updates and modifications round Google, Bing and social media. Those of you who deal with paid and natural channels have to get this text to make sure you keep forward of your competitors. It comes out a number of instances per week and focuses on a lot of the similar matters as Search Engine Roundtable.

30. #SEOFOMO

#SEOFOMO is a weekly e-newsletter that goes past Google updates. They additionally contact on SEO assets, guides, ideas, jobs and occasions. This e-newsletter covers Google and SEO information, but it surely goes extra in-depth with its evaluation and in addition helps SEOs change jobs and networks.

31. #SEOForLunch

This weekly e-newsletter touches on all of the above, but it surely additionally focuses on content material technique, hyperlink constructing, evaluations and giveaways. I’d take into account this text extra for SEO newcomers, however an SEO of any degree will definitely discover worth. It’s a easy learn that anybody, regardless of their expertise, can perceive.

32. Google Search Central

If you wish to hear immediately from the search big’s mouth, you would possibly as properly see what Google is saying. The Search Central weblog is Google’s means of scalably speaking with site owners. Here, Google product managers are primarily sharing their launch notes with the world. While almost all their weblog posts shall be lined by the newsletters above, it’s nonetheless good to see how Google shares what they share so you possibly can grasp it your self.

33. Google Search Console (GSC)

If you’re an SEO or are simply getting into the area, you’d higher be taught and get entry to your organization’s GSC account. This is Google’s means of speaking how your website is doing with search. From protection and efficiency to hurry and safety points, GSC is theoretically the solely SEO instrument or useful resource you want. As such, it’s important to set it up and verify it each day.

34. Google Analytics (GA)

GSC does present analytics from search, however if you wish to see how persons are attending to your website from Bing, electronic mail, paid, social and different channels, you then also needs to arrange a GA account. Like GSC, you might want developer assist to get going, however when you’re in, there shall be mountains of knowledge to parse. GA has a paid model that gives no sampling, however loads of large manufacturers get away with utilizing the free model.

35. Bing Webmaster Tools

I haven’t touched on Bing a lot as a result of almost the whole lot you do for Google additionally works for Bing. (Also, what number of customers are you aware use Bing over Google?) Nonetheless, you possibly can’t ignore the second-biggest search engine fully. As such, arrange a Bing webmaster account and verify it weekly to make sure there are not any safety, indexing, crawling or visitors points. It acts very similar to GSC, however for Bing.

36. Screaming Frog

If it’s essential to audit an internet site, each from a content material and technical perspective, you then want a crawler to extract the most essential data. Screaming Frog does simply that and has a free model that may crawl as much as 500 URLs. If you simply created a website or are operating a smaller website, the free model will do wonders, as it could crawl and discover inner hyperlinks, exterior hyperlinks, title tags, metas, robots.txt recordsdata, pictures, alt textual content, schema and a lot extra. However, Screaming Frog doesn’t inform you what’s unsuitable with something. It merely spits again all the data into sheets that you may export. You then have to investigate the information and know what errors to search for. 

37. Semrush

My keyword-tracking instrument of selection has all the time been Semrush. Whether you’re content material planning, analyzing rivals or seeing how your web site presently ranks in Google and past, Semrush is the finest on the market. They provide free accounts the place you possibly can monitor solely 10 key phrases. However, with this account, you possibly can nonetheless see how your web site is rating 10 instances per thirty days. That could also be sufficient for a lot of, however in the event you’re critical about SEO, you’ll want extra entry to key phrases. Their premium plans begin at $99.95/month.

38. Moz

Moz has a 30-day free trial earlier than they pressure you to improve to their Pro marketing campaign. Moz, very similar to Semrush, can vastly assist with content material planning, content material technique, key phrase analysis, content material optimization and hyperlink analysis. Moz can even crawl your website for technical assist. Moz’s customary plans begin at $99/month.