# Learn SEO: the complete SEO training path (/docs/learn-seo) --- type: Document title: "Learn SEO: the complete SEO training path" description: The whole AskSEO curriculum as one ordered training path, from SEO basics and niche research through keyword research, content writing, WordPress, on-page, technical, off-page and Local SEO. status: stable order: 0.5 added: 2026-10-12T17:45:10Z generated: { by: process:claude-code, at: 2026-11-06T18:14:10Z } ksor: audience: [public] owner: human:ahmedraza approval: { by: human:ahmedraza, at: 2026-11-06T18:14:10Z } verified: [{ by: human:ahmedraza, at: 2026-10-27T18:26:57Z }] trust_tier: human-reviewed build_id: sha256:401a1d4b5eead93b53bbfcc53b1ee4048e592b4be6f6059d848ed6ffaa614755 dirty: true ksor_version: 0.0.60 --- This page is the map of the record. Every step below links to the class notes that teach it, in the order this record teaches them. Start at Step 1 if you are new to SEO; jump to any step if you already know the earlier ones. ## Step 1: SEO basics Start with the words and the reasons before the methods. - [SEO glossary and web basics](glossary.md): niche, keyword, SERP, KD, search intent, and how a search engine and the web work. - [Why SEO matters, and what ranks a page](why-seo-matters.md): why SEO is a standalone skill, and the balance of authority, content, backlinks and niche difficulty that decides a ranking. ## Step 2: Niche research Pick a low-competition, profitable niche before writing anything. - [Niche research: tools, metrics, and selection criteria](niche-research/overview.md) ### Finding niches - [Finding niches, Method 1: reverse-engineering marketplaces](niche-research/finding-niches/finding-niches-marketplaces.md) - [Finding niches, Method 2: the Ahrefs/SEMrush filter method](niche-research/finding-niches/finding-niches-ahrefs-filters.md) - [Finding niches, Method 3: AI tools and NLP categories](niche-research/finding-niches/finding-niches-ai-tools.md) - [Finding niches, Method 4: backlink mining and UGC intent mismatches](niche-research/finding-niches/finding-niches-backlink-and-ugc-method.md) - [Finding niches, Method 5: SaaS and AI tool marketplaces](niche-research/finding-niches/finding-niches-saas-and-ai-tools.md) - [Finding niches, Method 6: replicating one strong page](niche-research/finding-niches/finding-niches-page-replication.md) - [Finding niches, Method 7: a topic search in Ahrefs Content Explorer](niche-research/finding-niches/finding-niches-content-explorer-topic-search.md) - [Automating niche research: Ahrefs MCP connected to Claude](niche-research/finding-niches/automate-niche-research-ahrefs-mcp.md) ### Untapped niches and timing - [Seasonality, timing, and first-mover niches](niche-research/untapped-niches-and-timing/timing-and-first-mover-niches.md) - [Finding untapped niches: incognito searches and Google search operators](niche-research/untapped-niches-and-timing/finding-untapped-niches-incognito-and-google-operators.md) - [Finding untapped niches: google.com in Ahrefs, and Google Trends](niche-research/untapped-niches-and-timing/finding-untapped-niches-google-com-and-google-trends.md) ### Niche types and targeting - [APK niche research](niche-research/niche-types-and-targeting/apk-niche-research.md) - [Easy-to-rank niche categories](niche-research/niche-types-and-targeting/easy-niche-categories.md) - [Niche keyword-combination matrix](niche-research/niche-types-and-targeting/niche-keyword-combination-matrix.md) - [Goldmine niches reference list](niche-research/niche-types-and-targeting/goldmine-niches-reference-list.md) - [Country and language targeting for niches](niche-research/niche-types-and-targeting/country-and-language-targeting.md) ## Step 3: Keyword research and content planning Turn the niche into a keyword list, then into a content plan and a site structure. ### Keyword research - [The keyword-to-content process](keyword-research-and-content-planning/keyword-research/keyword-process-overview.md): grouping, research, planning, gap analysis and mapping. - [Manual and tool-based keyword research methods](keyword-research-and-content-planning/keyword-research/keyword-research-methods.md) - [NicheSpark: Chrome extension for Google Autocomplete keyword research](keyword-research-and-content-planning/keyword-research/nichespark-autocomplete-keyword-tool.md) ### Content coverage - [Content coverage: the 200-volume benchmark method](keyword-research-and-content-planning/content-coverage/content-coverage-and-planning.md) - [Content coverage, Class 1: related keywords, Google Autocomplete and programmatic SEO](keyword-research-and-content-planning/content-coverage/content-coverage-related-keywords-and-programmatic-seo.md) - [Content coverage vs keyword coverage: ideas vs words](keyword-research-and-content-planning/content-coverage/content-coverage-vs-keyword-coverage.md) - [Content coverage, Class 2: competitor keywords via Ahrefs, keyword grouping and Google Alerts](keyword-research-and-content-planning/content-coverage/content-coverage-competitors-and-keyword-grouping.md) ### Grouping and site structure - [Content and site planning, Class 3: from an approved niche to launch](keyword-research-and-content-planning/grouping-and-site-structure/content-and-site-planning-class-3.md) - [Content coverage and grouping, Class 4: from a keyword list to site structure](keyword-research-and-content-planning/grouping-and-site-structure/content-coverage-and-grouping-class-4.md) - [Keyword coverage and grouping, Class 5: keywords in other languages](keyword-research-and-content-planning/grouping-and-site-structure/keyword-coverage-other-languages-class-5.md) ## Step 4: SEO content writing Write the articles the plan calls for. ### Writing fundamentals - [Starting content writing: the above the fold area and fulfilling search intent](content-writing/writing-fundamentals/content-writing-above-the-fold-class-5.md) - [Article structure: headings, competitor analysis, and keyword prominence](content-writing/writing-fundamentals/article-writing-and-seo-structure.md) - [SEO content writing: HTML formatting, structure, and copywriting](content-writing/writing-fundamentals/seo-content-writing-guide.md) ### Advanced content techniques - [NLP entity extraction for content strategy](content-writing/advanced-content-techniques/nlp-entity-extraction-for-content.md) - [Multilingual keyword and content workflow](content-writing/advanced-content-techniques/multilingual-keyword-and-content-workflow.md) ## Step 5: WordPress Build the site the content will live on. - [Introduction to WordPress](wordpress/introduction-to-wordpress.md) - [WordPress setup: cleanup, theme, plugins, and page design](wordpress/wordpress-setup-theme-and-design.md) ## Step 6: On-page and technical SEO Optimize each page, then the site as a whole. ### On-page SEO - [On-page SEO fundamentals](on-page-and-technical-seo/on-page-seo/on-page-seo-fundamentals.md) - [WordPress SEO basics: permalinks, categories, images, Rank Math](on-page-and-technical-seo/on-page-seo/on-page-seo-wordpress-basics.md) - [Meta title CTR, table of contents, and internal/external linking](on-page-and-technical-seo/on-page-seo/on-page-seo-meta-and-linking.md) - [Reverse-engineering on-page SEO from competitors](on-page-and-technical-seo/on-page-seo/reverse-engineering-on-page-seo.md) ### Technical SEO - [Technical SEO basics: Core Web Vitals and page speed](on-page-and-technical-seo/technical-seo/technical-seo-basics.md) - [Schema markup (structured data)](on-page-and-technical-seo/technical-seo/schema-markup.md) - [Technical SEO: advanced crawl control](on-page-and-technical-seo/technical-seo/technical-seo-advanced.md) - [Website speed optimization plugins](on-page-and-technical-seo/technical-seo/website-speed-optimization.md) ### Audits and monitoring - [Website audit process](on-page-and-technical-seo/audits-and-monitoring/website-audit-process.md) - [Google Search Console and Analytics](on-page-and-technical-seo/audits-and-monitoring/google-search-console-and-analytics.md) - [Content strategy: the honeymoon period](on-page-and-technical-seo/audits-and-monitoring/content-strategy-honeymoon-period.md) ## Step 7: Off-page SEO and link building Earn the authority that on-page work alone cannot. - [Off-page SEO fundamentals](off-page-seo/off-page-seo-fundamentals.md) ### Backlink profile - [Anchor text types and backlink URL distribution](off-page-seo/backlink-profile/anchor-text-and-backlink-distribution.md) - [Building backlinks from top authority sites](off-page-seo/backlink-profile/backlinks-from-authority-sites.md) - [Top authority sites by Ahrefs rank](off-page-seo/backlink-profile/top-authority-sites-by-ahrefs-rank.md) - [Reading a backlink profile: a worked example](off-page-seo/backlink-profile/backlink-profile-worked-example.md) ### Link building methods - [Community and forum link building](off-page-seo/link-building-methods/community-and-forum-link-building.md) - [Contextual backlinks: guest posts and niche edits](off-page-seo/link-building-methods/contextual-backlinks-guest-post-niche-edit.md) - [Guest post link building: finding sites and running outreach](off-page-seo/link-building-methods/guest-post-link-building-strategy.md) ## Step 8: Local SEO - [Local SEO fundamentals](local-seo/local-seo-fundamentals.md): how Local SEO differs from traditional SEO, its business types and monetization models, and Google Business Profile basics. ## Beyond the core path Specialised modules that build on the steps above. - **APK websites**: [APK file hosting, download-site setup, and AdSense approval](apk-websites/apk-file-hosting-and-adsense.md) - **Etsy (Quick Skills)**: the classes of Sir Zafar Ali and Sir Zakria Afzal, arranged by topic in the order a new seller needs them: [getting started](quick-skills/etsy/getting-started/etsy-account-safety.md), [product and niche research](quick-skills/etsy/product-and-niche-research/etsy-listing-and-competitor-research.md), [keyword research](quick-skills/etsy/keyword-research/etsy-seo-and-keyword-research.md), [listings and images](quick-skills/etsy/listings-and-images/etsy-seo-ranking-formula-and-keyword-layering.md), [products to sell](quick-skills/etsy/products-to-sell/etsy-digital-product-creation-and-listing.md) and [ranking and growth](quick-skills/etsy/ranking-and-growth/etsy-ranking-funnel-and-pro-tips.md). - **AI Agents**: [AI Agents, Class 1: what the module is and what to set up](ai-agents/introduction-and-setup.md) and [LLMs, tokens, Git and GitHub](ai-agents/llms-tokens-git-and-github.md). Want answers grounded in these notes inside your AI assistant? [Connect Claude, ChatGPT or Muse AI to this record](connect-claude-and-chatgpt.md).