All Japan SEO Association "SEO Certification" Examination Experience: From Self-Study to Systematic Understanding
The world of SEO always seems to be in constant motion, doesn't it? It's often difficult to know what the correct answer is, and information is a mixed bag of good and bad. In such circumstances, I've long struggled with how to deepen my knowledge and apply it to actual work. This time, I've compiled my experiences and thoughts from actually taking the "SEO Certification" conducted by the All Japan SEO Association, including the journey from self-study to systematic understanding and the learnings from each certification level.
Introduction: When I Started with Self-Study
I first got involved with SEO around 2007 when I was considering starting a business. At that time, there weren't as many systematic educational materials as there are now, and I was working by trial and error, relying on information I found online and fragmentary knowledge called "best practices." Not all the information was correct, and I was often confused about what was right. Before I knew it, I had become more absorbed in SEO than in preparing for my startup, spending enormous amounts of time on it.
The Limitations of Self-Study and the Need for Systematic Learning
With self-study alone, information inevitably becomes scattered and biased. Online knowledge can be outdated or incorrect, and there were many situations where I felt anxious, wondering "Is this really right?" I definitely felt the need to learn systematically from scratch.
Why I Decided to Take the SEO Certification
As opportunities to explain SEO to customers and within the company increased, I felt the need to develop the ability to clearly explain things like "why does this tool create articles like this" and "what is the essence of SEO." At that time, through my connection with Mr. Takeshi Gunji, representative of "Content SEO Lab", I learned about the All Japan SEO Association's "SEO Certification."
The SEO certification is divided into four levels from Grade 4 to Grade 1. As you might imagine, Grade 4 starts with the basics, and Grade 1 covers all the content from the lower grades plus advanced knowledge. The certification exams are held in Tokyo and Osaka.
I first took Grade 4 on December 25, 2024, and finally took both Grade 2 and Grade 1 on the same day on May 18, 2025, successfully passing all grades. 🌸
However, I failed Grade 2 once. 😢
Knowledge Gained from SEO Certification
The SEO certification has a system that allows you to learn step by step from Grade 4 to Grade 1. By utilizing official textbooks and problem sets, you can properly understand the reasoning and background of "why this is necessary," which you couldn't grasp through self-study alone.
Content and Learning from Each SEO Certification Grade
From here, I'll share what I felt from actually taking Grades 4 through 1 and the characteristics of each grade.
Grade 4: Building SEO Fundamentals
Grade 4 allows you to systematically learn the truly basic parts of SEO. It covers essential content you should know first, including web and search engine mechanisms, Google's characteristics, the importance of reliable information sources (like Google Search Central Blog and Search Essentials), and optimization of title tags, meta descriptions, and H1 tags.
This content is very useful for SEO beginners and those about to start practical work. You can also learn about search engine history and Google's guidelines, making it perfect for people wondering "what should I start with first?" Surprisingly, there are many interesting stories about internet behind-the-scenes tales and Google's origins, making the learning process enjoyable.
Grade 3: SEO's Three Major Elements and Page Structure
Grade 3 involves deep learning about SEO's "three major elements" (planning/popularity factors, internal factors, and external factors). It covers many practically useful topics like keyword research and classification, page and site structure, and technical optimization.
For example, it properly addresses misconceptions like "high search volume equals high value" and Google's emphasis on "topical authority (expertise)," helping you organize points that are easy to get wrong in actual practice. It also provides opportunities to review your own or your clients' sites, enabling you to explain "why we arrange things this way" with solid reasoning.
Grade 2: Tackling Practical SEO Operations
Grade 2 focuses on more practical SEO operation methods. It centers on immediately applicable knowledge including content marketing, E-E-A-T, YMYL compliance, external link strategies, SNS utilization, access analysis, and competitive research.
Particularly, E-E-A-T standards and improvement cycles (PDCA) using access analysis provided hints for raising work quality to the next level. Actual screens from Google Analytics and Search Console appeared in the problems, creating moments where I thought "Oh, I use this regularly!" and made studying enjoyable. Being able to back up knowledge gained through self-study with official textbooks and confidently explain things to internal teams and customers was a major gain.
Grade 1: Advanced Analytical Skills and Strategic Planning
Grade 1 requires even more advanced SEO knowledge, strategies, and problem-solving abilities. It covers truly professional content including mobile SEO, local SEO (MEO), Google's search ranking systems, index promotion and ranking recovery, generative AI utilization, and SEO future prospects.
I learned about topics like the background of Google's shift from "updates" to "systems" after November 2022, and the impact of generative AI on SEO. Studying for Grade 1 enabled me to think not just about current SEO but also future SEO, allowing me to confidently explain the significance of SEO investment and risk management to clients and management.
What I Felt Through Taking the Exams
Even though I had been doing this through self-study for many years, there were situations where passing would have been difficult without official textbooks and problem sets. Despite being involved in internet work for over 10 years, I failed Grade 2 once, making me keenly aware that not only practical experience but also academic learning is important.
What you learn in SEO certification isn't just memorizing knowledge, but evidence-based problem-solving skills like "why is this measure necessary" and "how do we improve." What I learned directly helped with explanations and proposals to internal teams and customers, enabling me to confidently answer questions like "why do we do it this way?"
However, overconfidence is dangerous! Even if you're a veteran of internet and SEO, certifications require a certain level of determined knowledge to pass, so you should approach them after reading official textbooks and working through problem sets. Of course, regularly looking at SEO tool screens makes some things easier to remember, but you might still make surprising new discoveries during the process of studying for the certification.
Who I'd Recommend SEO Certification To
With the "zero-click" phenomenon occurring due to AI in search result pages (SERPs), more people probably want to learn about SEO and GEO. Do these people have merit in taking this certification? I'd like to recommend it to these types of people:
- Those who want to systematically relearn SEO
- Those in positions to explain and guide SEO within companies or to customers
- Those who want to gain confidence in their self-study or practical experience
- Those who want to properly understand the latest trends and Google's movements
- Those interested in SEO but who don't understand terms like "MEO" or "topical authority" mentioned in this article
I think SEO certification is a place of learning where both industry veterans and beginners can find new discoveries and understanding.
The Essential Skills You Gain from SEO Certification
SEO certification isn't just about gaining knowledge or qualifications. It adds theory and evidence to experience and knowledge gained through self-study, developing the ability to properly explain "why we do this." For those who want to achieve results in the ever-changing world of SEO, I suggest considering taking the exam.
