SEO is a rapidly evolving field, making it important for professionals to continuously expand their knowledge and skills.

We’ve put together a list of essential SEO books suitable for readers at various levels.

Some books on this list provide a foundation in core concepts, while more advanced practitioners can explore topics such as entity optimization.

The list includes specialized resources tailored to specific areas of SEO. For example, some books offer strategies for businesses targeting local audiences, while others serve as comprehensive guides to link building tactics.

For those interested in Google’s perspective, another book provides insights into the company’s philosophies and principles.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, this list caters to diverse interests and skill levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Books On Search Engine Optimization

1. SEO For Beginners: An Introduction To SEO Basics

Published by Search Engine Journal, this is a comprehensive guide to SEO. It covers everything from link building and SEO history to busting common myths and offering expert tips.

While it’s for beginners, veterans can also gain new insights. The book breaks down complex ideas into bite-sized pieces, making it a great starting point.

It’s well-structured, with each chapter tackling a different SEO aspect – from search engine mechanics to the latest algorithm updates.

The authors don’t just stick to theory. They provide real-world examples and case studies to show how these concepts work in practice. This mix of theory and application makes the book a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their SEO.

Key reasons to give it a read:

• Get a solid grasp of SEO basics from industry pros.
• Easy-to-follow explanations of tricky concepts.
• Practical advice you can apply to your SEO strategies.
• Stay in the loop with current SEO trends and Google updates.
• Benefit from the collective wisdom of top SEO experts.

2. Entity SEO: Moving From Strings To Things

By Dixon Jones, CEO of InLinks

Dixon Jones’ book “Entity SEO: Moving from Strings to Things” explains the shift from old-school keyword SEO to modern entity-based optimization.

It explains how search engines now use the Knowledge Graph to understand relationships between concepts and offers practical advice on adapting your SEO strategy.

Key points:

• Making your brand an “entity” in your niche.
• Using structured data effectively.
• Getting quality links and mentions.
• Creating content rich in entity information.

The book uses real examples to show how these concepts work in practice. It’s meant to help SEO professionals at all levels understand and prepare for where search is heading.

Worth reading if you want to:

• Get a solid grip on entity SEO.
• Learn actionable entity optimization tactics.
• Establish your brand as a recognized entity.
• Master the use of structured data for SEO.
• Future-proof your SEO strategy.

3. The Art Of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization

by Eric Enge of Stone Temple Consulting, Stephan Spencer, and Jessie C. Stricchiola

Covering everything from SEO 101 to advanced tactics, this book starts with the basics of how search engines work and then dives into the meat of SEO: keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, and link building.

The authors break down complex strategies into actionable steps, making implementation a breeze.

What sets this book apart is its holistic approach. It’s not just about ranking; it’s about aligning SEO with your business goals and integrating it into your digital strategy. The book also discusses the role of content marketing and social media in boosting SEO performance.

Reasons to read this book:

• Get a complete SEO education, from basics to advanced strategies.
• Learn to align SEO with your business objectives.
• Access practical, step-by-step guides for implementing SEO tactics.
• Understand how to integrate SEO with content marketing and social media.
• Benefit from the collective wisdom of three renowned SEO experts.

4. The Psychology Of A Website: Mastering Cognitive Biases, Conversion Triggers And Modern SEO To Achieve Massive Results

by Matthew Capala

Matthew Capala’s “The Psychology of a Website” offers a fresh take on website optimization. Instead of focusing on technical aspects, it dives into the psychology behind user behavior and conversions.

Capala, a seasoned digital marketer, shares actionable tips for creating websites that perform well in search results and keep visitors engaged and more likely to convert.

The book kicks off by exploring how our brains work when we browse websites. Capala then gets into the nitty-gritty of optimizing different website elements, from how they look to what they say.

A big focus throughout is user experience (UX). Capala stresses that a great website isn’t just about ranking high on Google – it needs to be easy and enjoyable for people to use.

While UX is key, Capala doesn’t ignore SEO. He offers practical advice on keyword research, on-page optimization, and building links while keeping the focus on creating content that actually connects with users.

By blending psychological insights with practical digital marketing strategies, Capala offers a well-rounded approach to website optimization that can lead to significant improvements.

Reasons to read this book:

• Gain insights into the psychology driving user behavior and conversions.
• Learn to create websites that not only rank well but also engage visitors.
• Get practical strategies for optimizing design, content, and calls-to-action.
• Discover how to enhance user experience and mobile performance.
• Learn to integrate SEO best practices with a focus on user engagement.
• Benefit from real-world examples and expert insights from a seasoned digital marketer.

5. The Best Damn Website & Ecommerce Marketing And Optimization Guide, Period

by Stoney DeGeyter

SEO veteran Stoney DeGeyter’s book “The Best Damn Website & Ecommerce Marketing And Optimization Guide, Period” covers SEO basics to advanced tactics for websites and online stores.

It starts with SEO essentials and then dives into advanced topics. The book’s standout feature is its focus on ecommerce, addressing product pages, category optimization, and effective product descriptions.

DeGeyter emphasizes a holistic SEO approach that aligns with business goals and user experience. He also covers analytics for strategy refinement.

This guide suits both small business owners and ecommerce marketers.

Reasons to read:

• Master SEO fundamentals and advanced strategies.
• Learn ecommerce-specific optimization tactics.
• Discover product page and description best practices.
• Understand user-generated content’s SEO impact.
• Align SEO efforts with business objectives.
• Benefit from decades of industry expertise.

6. Ecommerce SEO Mastery: 10 Huge SEO Wins For Any Online Store

by Kristina Azarenko

Kristina Azarenko’s “Ecommerce SEO Mastery” offers 10 key strategies for online stores. The book tackles common ecommerce SEO challenges like thin content and complex site structures.

Azarenko breaks down each “SEO win” with practical advice on implementation.

Topics include:

• Ecommerce keyword research.
• Product & category page optimization.
• Leveraging user-generated content.
• Building quality backlinks.
• Site speed and mobile optimization.
• Structured data.

The book provides real-world examples and emphasizes data-driven SEO. It guides readers through using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track progress.

Reasons to read:

• Learn 10 powerful ecommerce-specific SEO strategies.
• Gain insights from a renowned SEO expert.
• Discover how to optimize product and category pages.
• Leverage user-generated content for SEO benefits.
• Learn to build high-quality backlinks.
• Apply real-world examples and case studies.
• Adopt a data-driven approach to ecommerce SEO.

7. Product-Led SEO: The Why Behind Building Your Organic Growth Strategy

by Eli Schwartz

Eli Schwartz’s “Product-Led SEO” offers a fresh take on SEO strategy, emphasizing business goals and sustainable organic growth.

Drawing from his work with major brands, Schwartz presents a framework that integrates SEO with overall company strategy.

The book challenges traditional SEO tactics, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes user value.

Key topics include:

• User intent optimization.
• Content strategy for the full customer journey.
• Measuring SEO’s business impact.

Schwartz focuses on the strategic “why” behind SEO tactics, encouraging critical thinking and adaptable strategies for long-term success.

Reasons to read this book:

• Gain a strategic perspective on SEO that aligns with business objectives.
• Learn to create sustainable organic growth through user-centric approaches.
• Discover how to optimize for the entire customer journey.
• Understand methods for measuring and communicating SEO’s business impact.
• Access real-world case studies and examples from major brands.
• Benefit from the author’s extensive experience in driving impactful SEO results.

Books On Link Building

8. The Link Building Book

by Paddy Moogan

Paddy Moogan’s “The Link Building Book” is a comprehensive, free online guide.

It covers link building basics, tactics for acquiring high-authority backlinks, content creation, and practical steps for planning and executing campaigns.

The book emphasizes white-hat techniques and quality over quantity, making it valuable for both SEO novices and pros.

Reasons to read:

• Master link building fundamentals and best practices.
• Learn diverse tactics for acquiring high-quality, relevant links.
• Understand how to assess potential linking websites.
• Discover content strategies that naturally attract links.
• Learn to plan and execute effective link building campaigns.
• Benefit from practical advice and real-world examples.
• Access updated, valuable insights at no cost.

Books On Local SEO

9. Local SEO Secrets: 20 Local SEO Strategies You Should Be Using NOW

by Roger Bryan

“Local SEO Secrets” by Roger Bryan is a must-read for businesses targeting local customers. It offers 20 proven strategies to boost local search visibility and drive growth.

Key topics include:

• Local SEO fundamentals and how it differs from traditional SEO.
• Optimizing Google Business Profile listings.
• Building local citations and leveraging structured data.
• Creating local content and managing online reputation.
• Implementing and tracking local SEO strategies.

The book provides actionable advice, real-world examples, and step-by-step instructions. It’s valuable for small business owners, marketers, and SEO consultants working with local clients.

Reasons to read:

• Learn 20 proven strategies for improving local search visibility.
• Understand key local ranking factors like Google Business Profile, reviews, and citations.
• Master GBP optimization for local SEO success.
• Discover how to use structured data and local content effectively.
• Learn reputation management best practices.
• Get practical, easy-to-implement instructions and examples.
• Learn to measure local SEO performance with analytics tools.

Books On Search Engines

10. How Google Works

by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg

“How Google Works” by ex-Google execs Schmidt and Rosenberg offers an insider’s view of the search giant. While not focused on SEO, it provides valuable insights for digital marketers and business leaders.

The book offers practical advice and real-world examples applicable to businesses of all sizes.

Understanding Google’s philosophy can inform more effective, customer-focused digital marketing strategies.

Reasons to read:

• Get an insider’s view of Google’s success principles.
• Understand how to create a user-centric business strategy.
• Discover ways to foster innovation and experimentation in your organization.
• Gain insights into data-driven decision-making processes.

11. Entity-Oriented Search

by Krisztian Balog

“Entity-Oriented Search” by Krisztian Balog is a deep dive into modern search engine tech. It focuses on entities, knowledge graphs, and semantic search and is aimed at readers with a background in information retrieval (IR).

A key strength is its coverage of cutting-edge research, like neural entity representations and knowledge-based language models. While tech-heavy, it touches on applications in QA, recommender systems, and digital assistants and discusses future trends.

It’s essential reading for IR, natural language processing (NLP), and artificial intelligence (AI) pros seeking in-depth knowledge of modern search engines.

Reasons to read:

• Deep dive into entity-oriented and semantic search tech.
• Research on knowledge graphs and semantic understanding.
• A detailed look at entity extraction, linking, and ranking algorithms.
• Insights on neural entity representations and knowledge-based language models.
• Expert knowledge from a renowned IR and search engine specialist.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Next Book

These 11 SEO books have got you covered – whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

For beginners, “SEO for Beginners” and “The Art of SEO” are solid starter packs that’ll teach you the SEO fundamentals.

As you level up, books like “Entity SEO” and “Product-Led SEO” explore more advanced topics like optimizing for entities and aligning SEO with business goals.

Several books focus on specific areas:

• “Local SEO Secrets” is a must-read if you’re targeting local customers.
• “Ecommerce SEO Mastery” zeroes in on ecommerce SEO.
• “The Link Building Book” is your starting point to master link building.

On the technical side, “Entity-Oriented Search” dives deep into semantic search and cutting-edge search engine tech. “How Google Works” gives you the inside scoop on Google’s mindset.

The key is picking books that match your skill level and areas of interest. Whether you want to learn SEO from scratch, level up your game, or specialize, there’s a book for you.

The Amazon links in this post are not affiliate links, and SEJ does not receive compensation when you click or make a purchase through these links.

More SEO & Marketing Books Worth Your Time:

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Featured Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

These are the 100 most searched people, along with their monthly search volumes.

#	Keyword	Search volume
1	donald trump	7450000
2	taylor swift	7300000
3	travis kelce	4970000
4	matthew perry	3790000
5	kamala harris	2730000
6	joe biden	2480000
7	caitlin clark	2400000
8	olivia rodrigo	2100000
9	jd vance	2060000
10	billie eilish	1720000
11	sabrina carpenter	1680000
12	kate middleton	1660000
13	patrick mahomes	1570000
14	gypsy rose	1520000
15	jason kelce	1490000
16	mihály csíkszentmihályi	1460000
17	timothee chalamet	1450000
18	tyreek hill	1380000
19	lola beltrán	1350000
20	lebron james	1330000
21	lauren boebert	1310000
22	barry keoghan	1300000
23	brock purdy	1280000
24	drake	1250000
25	griselda blanco	1210000
26	ryan reynolds	1200000
27	zendaya	1180000
28	scottie scheffler	1170000
29	aaron rodgers	1170000
30	casimir funk	1170000
31	zach bryan	1150000
32	tom brady	1150000
33	jacob elordi	1140000
34	blake lively	1130000
35	millie bobby brown	1120000
36	margot robbie	1110000
37	luisa moreno	1110000
38	bruce willis	1090000
39	v	1090000
40	eminem	1050000
41	cillian murphy	1040000
42	anthony edwards	1020000
43	peso pluma	1000000
44	fani willis	1000000
45	etel adnan	1000000
46	dua lipa	991000
47	jennifer aniston	986000
48	bianca censori	983000
49	megan fox	982000
50	shannen doherty	977000
51	mike tyson	973000
52	megan thee stallion	971000
53	ariana grande	960000
54	james baldwin	958000
55	britney spears	954000
56	oj simpson	941000
57	lainey wilson	937000
58	dan schneider	933000
59	emma stone	932000
60	raoul a. cortez	930000
61	dolly parton	926000
62	joe burrow	925000
63	anya taylor-joy	925000
64	amanda bynes	924000
65	danny masterson	920000
66	matt rife	918000
67	kendrick lamar	912000
68	messi	901000
69	bronny james	901000
70	adam sandler	898000
71	james earl jones	897000
72	coco gauff	892000
73	michael jackson	884000
74	victor wembanyama	870000
75	pink	865000
76	luka doncic	861000
77	selena gomez	861000
78	jelly roll	861000
79	jonathan majors	840000
80	justin fields	824000
81	meghan markle	821000
82	florence pugh	819000
83	post malone	813000
84	jayson tatum	808000
85	diddy	804000
86	justin jefferson	799000
87	sza	794000
88	ana de armas	793000
89	cj stroud	790000
90	ben affleck	788000
91	jake paul	786000
92	zac efron	783000
93	scarlett johansson	779000
94	deion sanders	771000
95	dr. victor chang	760000
96	andrew tate	759000
97	jason momoa	756000
98	pedro pascal	755000
99	bad bunny	744000
100	christian mccaffrey	735000

#	Keyword	Search volume
1	taylor swift	17000000
2	trump	12400000
3	matthew perry	9100000
4	sydney sweeney	8500000
5	travis kelce	7500000
6	oppenheimer	7300000
7	messi	7000000
8	elon musk	6500000
9	sinner	6300000
10	cristiano ronaldo	6100000
11	kate middleton	5900000
12	billie eilish	5200000
13	joe biden	5000000
14	xxxtentacion	5000000
15	大谷翔平	4900000
16	virat kohli	4800000
17	jenna ortega	4700000
18	v	4600000
19	ronaldo	4600000
20	kamala harris	4300000
21	olivia rodrigo	4200000
22	griselda blanco	4000000
23	margot robbie	4000000
24	cillian murphy	3800000
25	carlos alcaraz	3600000
26	dua lipa	3600000
27	zendaya	3600000
28	djokovic	3500000
29	bianca censori	3500000
30	jude bellingham	3400000
31	alcaraz	3400000
32	millie bobby brown	3400000
33	ana de armas	3300000
34	sabrina carpenter	3300000
35	henry cavill	3300000
36	ryan reynolds	3200000
37	ice spice	3200000
38	anne hathaway	3100000
39	timothée chalamet	3100000
40	putin	3100000
41	barry keoghan	3000000
42	lana rhoades	3000000
43	michael jackson	3000000
44	peso pluma	3000000
45	ariana grande	3000000
46	jacob elordi	3000000
47	lebron james	3000000
48	blake lively	2900000
49	bruce willis	2900000
50	lamine yamal	2900000
51	emma stone	2900000
52	shubman gill	2900000
53	simone biles	2900000
54	rohit sharma	2900000
55	brad pitt	2900000
56	eminem	2900000
57	jennifer aniston	2800000
58	timothee chalamet	2800000
59	mike tyson	2700000
60	megan fox	2700000
61	lola beltrán	2700000
62	caitlin clark	2700000
63	leonardo dicaprio	2700000
64	johnny depp	2600000
65	scarlett johansson	2600000
66	selena gomez	2600000
67	drake	2600000
68	mihály csíkszentmihályi	2600000
69	anya taylor-joy	2500000
70	madonna	2500000
71	britney spears	2500000
72	max verstappen	2500000
73	jeremy allen white	2500000
74	gypsy rose	2500000
75	andrew tate	2500000
76	kylie jenner	2500000
77	travis scott	2400000
78	fabrizio romano	2400000
79	jennifer lawrence	2400000
80	meghan markle	2400000
81	hardik pandya	2400000
82	keanu reeves	2400000
83	angelina jolie	2400000
84	glen powell	2400000
85	jd vance	2400000
86	shannen doherty	2300000
87	jungkook	2300000
88	jason momoa	2300000
89	jennifer lopez	2300000
90	bellingham	2200000
91	jeffrey epstein	2200000
92	justin bieber	2200000
93	florence pugh	2200000
94	kim kardashian	2200000
95	ben affleck	2200000
96	haaland	2200000
97	zac efron	2200000
98	tyson fury	2200000
99	imane khelif	2100000
100	adam sandler	2100000

In almost every industry, there are celebrities, professionals, or influencers that other people want to emulate. For example, an amateur tennis player might want to know which tennis racket Novak Djokovic uses. Or a football player might want to know the shoes Trent Alexander-Arnold wears.

In fact, Equipboard has taken this idea seriously and created a site around the gear used by professional musicians.

You can do the same for your industry too.

Here’s how:

1. Go to Keywords Explorer
2. Enter the names of famous people in your niche
3. Go to the Matching terms report
4. Filter for keywords related to gears using the Include filter

For example, if I entered the names of professional tennis players (Roger Federer, Emma Radacanu, Rafael Nadal) and filtered for tennis gear keywords (e.g., shoes, racket, wristband, shorts), I see 960 potential keywords I could target. If I were a tennis site, I could create a category page for each celebrity and list out all their preferred equipment.

Another way is to enter a relevant keyword into Keywords Explorer, go to the Matching terms report, and observe keyword patterns. For example, if I were a fitness site, I could enter “weight loss” into Keywords Explorer.

The first thing I’ll notice is that many people are actually interested in how certain celebrities lost their weight. The second thing I notice is that the keywords all form a pattern: [first name][last name] weight loss.

As such, I can use the Word count filter to look for keywords that have 4 words, which gives me a list of celebrity-related weight loss keywords:

Want to do keyword research for your site? Sign up for Keywords Explorer.

Automattic CEO and WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg announced a new Executive Director for WordPress.org after the previous director’s resignation. Social media reactions, while generally positive, were notably subdued, with many comments focused on the recent WordPress controversy.

New Executive Director

Mullenweg announced that Mary Hubbard, was hired as the new Executive Director. Hubbard was formerly the Chief Product Officer for WordPress.com from 2020 and will begin her new position on October 21st. She recently resigned as the Head of TikTok Americas, Governance and Experience.

The Executive Director position at WordPress.org opened up after the resignation of 8.4% of Automattic employees, including the previous Executive Director Josepha Haden Chomphosy. Mullenweg offered employees who wished to leave $30,000 or the equivalent of six months pay, whichever was higher. The severance package was offered after the recent issues between Automattic, Mullenweg and WP Engine (WPE) which resulted in WPE filing a federal lawsuit against Mullenweg and Automattic, alleging attempted extortion.

Muted Response To Announcement

A post in the popular Dynamic WordPress Facebook Group generated 21 responses within seven hours, with most of the comments a discussion about the recent drama and the Mullenweg’s ownership of WordPress.org and other similar topics (view the discussion here, must join the private group to view).

The response to the official WordPress.org announcement on X was muted, with about equal amounts of people posting welcomes as those who were taking the opportunity to post their displeasure and opinions about recent events.

Seven hours after posting the announcement there were only 15 responses, 21 retweets, and 117 likes.

Screenshot Of Tweet

Typical Expressions Of Welcome

Welcome!

— Robert Jacobi (@RobertJacobi) October 8, 2024

Welcome Mary!

— Michael Potter (@Michael_6of7) October 8, 2024

Typical Other Responses

What does the E.D. do for https://t.co/sbi8NmJkOL? Is https://t.co/sbi8NmJkOL part of the Foundation? Part of Automattic? Something else? Unlike WPEngine, the differences between these organizations, their ownership, and governance are incredibly confusing.

— Jeff Severson (@jeffseverson) October 8, 2024

“Our”? I thought Matt owns this establishment, with foundation having nothing to do with https://t.co/Duw3H6Qbg3. 🤨🤷

— Viktor Nagornyy (@V1ktor) October 8, 2024

Fire @photomatt

— Shay Grafdelver (@shaygrafdelver) October 8, 2024

Read the official announcement on WordPress.org

Please Welcome Mary Hubbard

Featured Image by Shutterstock/michaelheim