Updated On: October 23, 2024
YouTube has swept the globe, trading TVs for screens in homes literally everywhere! With over 2.5 billion monthly active users in 2024, its impact is hard to ignore.
Why?
⏳ Our attention span is obviously shrinking (blame social media and YouTube🤬). To digest all this data faster, YouTube video formats are just spot on. And the stats confirm it: 55% of internet users now prefer video over text!
🔎 Thanks to Millenials and Gen Z, who often turn to YouTube instead of Google for hands-on video guides, the platform has literally transformed into a new kind of search engine!
🎬 Finally, we’re wired for visuals! Research shows humans remember 95% of a message from video, but only 10% from text. That’s what makes YouTube perfect for learning: consuming big chunks of information in a laid-back, entertaining way.
So why not use YouTube to become a better SEO literally for FREE? I bet you occasionally check out some YouTube link-building channels to pick up a few skills. We did too!
Here’s what we find useful to subscribe to in 2024 and more!
Let’s be real: it’s an absolute YES! The more YouTube link-building channels you follow, the more SEO insights you’ll gain, and the wider your perspective on your own pain points will become.
On the flip side, no strategy fits all, and obviously your business is too unique for generic advice. But one thing’s for sure: with the right research, you’ll DEFINITELY find experts who can earn your trust.
Putting our own thoughts aside, we turned to the SEO community on LinkedIn to ask how often they rely on YouTube for link-building and SEO skills.
The poll revealed that:
Regardless of the stats, most of the SEO community is pretty glued to YouTube for skill-building! So, let’s get more voices in on the conversation.
🎤 Ask an expert!
“How often do you use YouTube to improve your link-building and SEO skills?”
And to answer the big question — are YouTube link-building channels worth your time? Here's what we've heard from the SEO community:
🎤 Ask an expert!
“Do you find YouTube channels about link building and SEO helpful?”
From these responses, we can conclude that YouTube link-building channels CAN be helpful, but it really depends on how much research you’ve done and how well you can sift through the fluff that’s definitely present on the platform — just like anywhere online!
To give you a more objective look at YouTube link-building and SEO channels that truly deserve your attention, we blended our favorites at Editorial.Link with insights from SEO experts surveyed on LinkedIn.
See the roundup of our hot picks!
💡Pro-tip! This list features both established gurus and promising newcomers, so when exploring YouTube, you’d better take a mixed approach. Learn from the best, but don’t overlook the lesser-known gems — there could be even better tips!
Now…Ready, set, let's explore them all!
Nathan Gotch is a leading SEO expert and the mastermind behind Gotch SEO Academy — a popular hub for SEO agencies looking to level up their skills. Plus, he’s the creator of Rankability, a handy tool for swift SEO content optimization.
Currently, Nathan's SEO expertise shines through his articles on popular platforms like Semrush, Ahrefs, and Search Engine Journal. But if you are more into video content, don’t miss out on his YouTube channel, which proudly boasts 100K subscribers!
Nathan’s video tutorials are super dynamic and always cutting straight to the chase! Each video is packed with visual examples and kept under 15 minutes to keep you engaged. You'll get cool tips on:
💡Pro-tip! For daily insights, be sure to catch his YouTube Shorts! If you're in the mood for a deeper dive, tune into Nathan's podcast, “The SEO Entrepreneur Show,” where he discusses trending industry topics with fellow SEO experts.
🎤 Ask an expert!
“Which link-building YouTube channels have helped you the most?”
Ahrefs needs no introduction for seasoned pros who recognize it as both a powerful SEO tool and an invaluable educational resource. It's no surprise they’ve amassed around 578k followers on YouTube!
Most of the videos are hosted by Sam Oh, the VP of Marketing at Ahrefs catering to all levels of expertise. For example:
💡Pro-tip! For a more hands-on learning experience, be sure to check out the “Playlists” section of the channel, where you'll find comprehensive case studies and, of course, tutorials on link-building!
🎤 Ask an expert!
“Which link-building YouTube channels have helped you the most?”
The channel's name is inspired by its host's main area of SEO expertise. With over 15 years of experience, Marie Ysais is committed to helping website owners recover from both confirmed and unconfirmed Google algorithm updates.
The channel primarily features recovery case studies, including:
The videos are incredibly concise, often clocking in at under 5 minutes, yet they clearly outline the reasons behind issues and present possible solutions.
💡Pro-tip! Although the channel currently has only 2.33k subscribers, it deserves much more recognition. Its case studies will surely enrich your skillset in website auditing, competitor analysis, and identifying content or keyword gaps.
This channel is run by the renowned Aleyda Solís, an international SEO consultant and founder of Orainti SEO agency. Along with speaking at major conferences like Inbound, MozCon, Pubcon, and BrightonSEO, Aleyda shares her knowledge weekly with 10.8k happy subscribers.
Typically, videos range from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the topic, but that’s just to give you detailed explanations, no fluff! All the topics on the channel are neatly organized in the ‘Playlists’ section, making it easy to find series on:
On top of that, Aleyda regularly posts her interviews with SEO experts from various fields on YouTube and shares the latest industry updates in her weekly SEOFOMO newsletter (boasts 33K subscribers already!).
💡Pro-tip! For more learning opportunities, visit Aleyda’s Learning SEO.io – a totally FREE platform providing tutorials on all things SEO, including link-building!
This is a fun visual version of Search Engine Journal for those who’d rather watch than read. Just like the main site, the SEJ YouTube channel has tons of tutorials, webinars, and video guides covering everything from SEO to digital marketing, as well as tips on brushing up your content and ads.
As of now, the channel has built up a solid audience of 20.4k subscribers, thanks to popular video series like:
For link-builders specifically, SEJ offers a curated playlist of videos titled “Search Engine Optimization,” featuring content that ranges from 15 to 60 minutes. These videos focus on:
Plus, while on the SEJ YouTube channel, you can check out their podcast, “The Search Engine Journal Show,” where top industry experts exchange thoughts on various matters. They also have a collection of short, bite-sized interviews, perfect for when you don’t have time to listen to a full podcast.
💡Pro-tip! SEJ mainly focuses on written content, so for more comprehensive link-building advice, be sure to check out the Link-building section on their website.
If you’re always scouring Backlinko.com for the latest in link-building, you’ve definitely heard of Brian Dean — the genius behind it. Recognized by Forbes as a top “blog to follow,” Brian’s blog reaches over 5 million people annually.
With that kind of impact, it’s no wonder Brian’s often called “the world’s foremost expert on SEO.” Keep an eye on his YouTube channel — 563k subscribers can’t be wrong about its worth.
As you browse through the playlists on the channel, you’ll come across content like:
💡Pro-tip! For all you link-builders out there, check out Brian’s playlist titled “White Hat Link-Building Techniques and Tips”. And if you're eager for even more, swing by the Link-Building on Backlinko’s website, or subscribe to their newsletter.
Known as the founder of Chris Palmer Marketing LLC, Chris has over 12 years of experience in the advertising industry, honing his skills in SEO, search engine marketing, social media marketing strategy, and PPC. With all that expertise, he managed to launch a YouTube channel where hands-on experience meets the curiosity of 37.2k subscribers!
On the channel, you can find some pretty in-depth content, featuring visually engaging explanations that range from 15 minutes to 2 hours on a variety of topics:
Link-builders will love the special section in the playlist called “How to Get Backlinks” featuring a series of shorter videos covering:
💡Pro-tip! Don’t miss out on Chris Palmer’s YouTube Shorts! They’re full of SEO humor and quick tips for specific cases.
Matt Diggity is a standout in the SEO world, named one of the "Top SEO blogs to follow" by Ahrefs. As a frequent guest expert for The New York Post and Search Engine Journal, his skills have led him to build successful ventures like Diggity Marketing LLC, Leadspring, The Search Initiative, and Authority Builders. At the same time, he runs a popular YouTube channel where he shares his expertise with 162k subscribers!
Beyond the daily SEO tips covered in his YouTube Shorts, be sure to check out Matt’s playlists for:
Most of Matt’s link-building tips can be found in the playlist titled “Backlinks, Link-Building & Off-Site SEO” featuring insights on:
🎤 Ask an expert!
“Which link-building YouTube channels have helped you the most?”
If you’re using WordPress for your website, you’ve likely heard of Rank Math — a fantastic SEO plugin that helps you optimize your content with handy built-in suggestions.
In addition to its website blog, where Rank Math shares handy SEO tips for WordPress users and beyond, it also offers a visual experience through its own YouTube channel. With 68.6k subscribers hungry for more SEO advice, the channel is definitely worth following.
For link-builders, the channel will be beneficial due to the series of videos in the playlist called “SEO Tutorials”, particularly sections:
Other videos on the channel cover the following:
This channel was created by Vasco Monteiro, an up-and-coming SEO pro and the founder of Vetted, a B2B online marketplace for buying and selling SEO services. Alongside with Vetted, Vasco is a co-founder of Journalist AI, a tool that automates SEO and marketing to help companies power up their lead flow through search engines.
Meanwhile, Vasco makes time to share SEO tips he’s picked up along the way on his YouTube channel. And it looks like they’re working for others too, as it has grown to a pretty solid 13.5k followers!
Newbie link-builders will love Vasco’s special playlist titled “The Basics of SEO.” In this series of 15-minute modules, he breaks down the ABCs of SEO, including a helpful section on link-building called “Building Your First Links.”
💡Pro-tip! For a deeper dive into basic link-building, check out Vasco’s “Full SEO Course for Beginners: Learn to Rank #1 in Google.” In just around 2 hours, he covers a wide range of topics, including tiered link-building, link-building with infographics, and foundation links!
For a more comprehensive understanding of link-building, check out Vasco’s dedicated playlist called “Link-Building”. There you’ll learn more about:
Other playlists on the channel cover:
💡Pro-tip! Vasco is really generous with freebies! For example, you can download his FREE ebook called "11 Powerful Backlinks You Can Build Today" absolutely at no cost!
With years of experience helping over 1,200 clients and running his own SEO agency, Julian Goldie has carved out a successful path in link-building using the “Skyscraper Technique,” a proven white-hat method.
This inspired him to share his expertise on his YouTube channel. Today, it boasts 117k subscribers who are eager to soak up fresh, hands-on info each Monday, Thursday, and Friday!
You can kick off your exploration of the channel with the playlist titled “Link-Building for Beginners.” It’s a comprehensive guide packed with around 63 videos, each under 15 minutes, covering literally EVERYTHING you need to know as a newbie!
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can move on to the playlist called “Backlinks for Beginners,” where you’ll learn about:
Other valuable playlists on link-building include:
💡Pro-tip! Pretty much everything on Julian’s channel covers link-building, so be sure to like and subscribe for straight-to-the-point content! If you’re looking for shorter tips, check out Julian’s Shorts to stay updated on the latest news and his own unique strategies.
Adam Enfroy is one of the most versatile YouTube creators out there, thanks to his experience as a former Director of Digital Marketing. With over 8 years of dealing with high-budget SEM, content marketing, e-commerce, paid social, and affiliate marketing, he’s also got a lot to share about SEO!
Adam’s diverse skills have led him to build multiple businesses, including AdamEnfroy.com, and inspired him to produce straightforward content and educate his audience on YouTube.
This genuine approach has resonated with 220k followers as of today!
Browse through his playlists, and you'll find a variety of content, ranging from quick 15-minute videos to in-depth 2-hour analyses, explaining:
You might be wondering about link-building — it's all stored in separate playlists:
💡Pro-tip! Don’t forget to check out Adam’s Shorts! They’re released super regularly and often feature quick reviews of his longer videos, so you can save time and get straight to the point.
Craig Campbell can be proudly called a veteran in the industry as he boasts 22 years in SEO and other digital marketing services. Right now, he’s all into coaching agencies and individuals eager to level up their digital marketing skills.
Craig’s YouTube channel serves as a visual guide for those who haven’t yet gained the experience that costs years of practice. And his 1.15m followers know it!
The standout feature, compared to other channels, is Chris’s regular live Q&A sessions with fellow SEO expert Chris Palmer, along with his consistently updated digital marketing podcast.
The rest of the topical videos are organized into playlists covering the following:
For link-builders, Craig created a collection of video series, including:
💡Pro-tip! In his Shorts, Craig shares snippets from talks and interviews, showcasing only the hottest highlights!
🎤 Ask an expert!
“Which link-building YouTube channels have helped you the most?”
Kai Cromwell has quickly climbed the ranks from being an SEO consultant to running his own agency, NewSeas SEO, in just a few years. Now, he’s all about helping eCommerce brands ramp up their Shopify revenue, attract more visitors, and take on the big guys like Amazon in search!
Not long ago, Kai felt ready to share his expertise with a bigger audience on his own YouTube channel, and now he has 2.3k subscribers cheering him on for his awesome content!
What’s really cool is that Kai stays super active on Shorts, sharing recent updates, hacks, and learnings, so his audience never misses out!
The playlist features a curated series of videos like “Full Guides” and “Client Interviews & Case Studies”. Link-builders definitely need to check out the first one as it covers awesome hacks for eCommerce link-building, like:
🎤 Ask an expert!
“Who do you think will see the biggest transformation after joining your YouTube channel?”
“What sparks your content ideas? Is it the questions in the comments, your own experiences, or maybe the latest SEO trends?”
With over 10 million marketers worldwide using it, SemRush stands out as a top-notch online management platform known for its educational powerhouse, including SemRush Academy and Blog.
Their YouTube channel keeps the learning fun and engaging, capturing the minds of 192k subscribers through entertaining video content.
Link-builders will definitely want to check out these playlists:
Even though this micro-influencer YouTube channel currently has only 11.7k subscribers, it definitely brings much educational value as it specializes in debunking SEO myths!
One of the hottest categories on the channel features reactions to awful YouTube SEO advice, tips on how to rank higher, insights on reversing Google penalties, and the impact of recent Google updates.
Link-builders will gain a lot from this honest advice on:
And so much more!
The highlight of the channel is the vibe it gives off: all videos seem to be exclusive expert leaks, available to subscribers only. Totally love it!
🎤 Ask an expert!
“Which link-building YouTube channels have helped you the most?”
Now that you’ve explored our top recommendations and channels backed by SEO experts, let’s hit them with the final question!
🎤 Ask an expert!
“What improvements have you seen in your link-building after watching a YouTube channel?”
Alright, results may vary from one expert to another, but what we’re seeing is that YouTube link-building channels have done wonders for many pros, helping them troubleshoot specific pain points and sharpen particular skills. Considering that most of the information is completely FREE (unless you pay for YouTube Premium 😁), subscribing to at least one worthy channel will never hurt.
While self-education is an honorable deed, sometimes a little professional guidance goes a long way. If your YouTube instructors are slow to respond or you need more in-depth SEO answers, why not reach out to the pros at Editorial.Link? We’re here to shed some light on those tricky skill gaps and help your link-building strategy shine!