BrightLocal Academy is a free online school dedicated solely to teaching business owners and agency professionals all about
local SEO.

What is BrightLocal Academy?

Top Experts

Sharing proven step-by-step tactics

100% Free

Education available to everyone

Certifications

Certificates to enhance your career

New to BrightLocal?

Take control of your business listings, online reviews, and local visibility all on one platform! 

Never guess your way through Local SEO again. 

Meet our course leaders

Steve Wiideman

Steve Wiideman, writer, scientist, professor, and SEO expert, lives and breathes search optimization. Author of SEO Strategy & Skills and adjunct professor at UCSD and CSUF, Steve leads SEO for franchise and e-commerce brands.

A passionate traveler and dad, he's building the Academy of Search and advocating for transparency in the industry.

Claire Carlile

Claire Carlile is a veteran in the field of digital marketing with over 20 years of experience in SEO and local SEO.

As a small business owner herself, she offers tailored solutions for businesses worldwide, providing freelance SEO services, bespoke training, and industry insights through conferences and meetups.

Niki Mosier

Niki Mosier is an accomplished SEO expert with over a decade of experience in local and technical SEO. 

She has held agency and in-house roles, offering consulting, training, and industry insights through conferences and speaking engagements.

Amanda Jordan

Amanda Jordan is a proven industry leader in SEO, specializing in competitive markets for SMBs and enterprise-level companies and various industries, particularly legal, financial, and healthcare.

Amanda also contributes to the industry through podcasts and online conferences.

Greg Gifford

Greg Gifford is the VP of Search Marketing at SearchLab, a local SEO and PPC agency. 

With 19+ years of experience, he's a sought-after speaker globally. Greg's expertise has helped numerous businesses improve local search visibility. 

Levi Williams-Clucas

Levi Williams-Clucas is a Search Engine Optimization Manager at Hello Earth. 

Passionate about helping local businesses grow, she's a frequent speaker and attendee at BrightonSEO. With a love for baking and a knack for geeking out on books and video games, Levi brings a unique perspective to her work.

Emily Brady

Emily Brady is an SEO specialist with a decade of experience in Local SEO, On-Site Optimization, and Content. 

She's a former MozCon speaker and has worked in both agency and in-house settings. In her free time, Emily enjoys exploring bookstores, coffee shops, and spending quality time with her family.

Dana DiTomaso

You may have seen Dana on stage or heard her on the radio—she’s got 20+ years in digital marketing, known for breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand lessons and for creating the Kickpoint Playbook. After a start in CRM tech support, Dana launched a web design company in 2002, diving into SEO and becoming a speaker on technical and local SEO in 2012. 

Kristian Bannister

Kristian, formerly BrightLocal's Director of Product and Marketing, used his wealth of experience and knowledge to guide and support the Product and Marketing team, helping BrightLocal achieve its mission to empower marketers to excel at local SEO. He is no longer with BrightLocal, but his impact and contributions remain invaluable.

FAQs about BrightLocal Academy

What is BrightLocal Academy?

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BrightLocal Academy is an online learning platform offering free courses on local SEO, designed to help businesses, marketers, and SEO professionals improve their local search presence.

Who are these courses for?

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Our beginner courses are perfect for business owners, marketers, freelancers, and anyone new to local SEO who wants to understand how to improve local search rankings.

Are the courses free?

-----------------------------------------------------------Yes! All BrightLocal Academy courses are completely free to enroll in and complete.

How long does the course take?

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Each course varies in length, but most beginner courses can be completed in a few hours. Since they are self-paced, you can learn at your own speed.

Do I need prior knowledge of local SEO? 

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No, our beginner courses are designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of local SEO, making them easy to follow even if you’re completely new to the topic.

Will I receive a certificate on completion?

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Yes! After completing a course, you’ll receive a digital certificate that you can share on LinkedIn, or Facebook or add to your resume.

Do I need to be a BrightLocal customer to take these courses?

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No, you don’t need a BrightLocal subscription to access the Academy. The courses are open to everyone.

Can I access the courses on mobile devices?

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Yes, BrightLocal Academy courses are mobile-friendly, so you can learn anytime, anywhere.

Can I revisit course materials after completion?

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Absolutely! You can return to any course at any time to review materials and refresh your knowledge.

Where can I get help if I have questions about a course?

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If you have any questions, you can reach out to our support team at support@brightlocal.com

Learn on the go!