Discover options to learn SEO: from university programs to free courses. Includes costs, personal suitability considerations and examples.
Alex Zagoumenov
My name is Alex Zagoumenov and I’m a digital marketer passionate about search engine marketing and teaching others to drive traffic from search engines. Here’s my short bio:
Alex Zagoumenov leverages over 20 years of digital marketing experience from agency (Critical Mass, McCann Canada), SaaS (Miro), and client-side roles to help businesses attract customers through search engines. Holding a B.Mgt in Marketing and multiple certifications (including Google Ads, HubSpot, SEMrush), Alex specializes in Technical SEO, Local SEO, Content Optimization, and Google Ads. He currently focuses on empowering others through SEO coaching and courses via Search Friendly and Jelly Academy, drawing on his extensive experience auditing over 250 websites and coaching numerous clients to success.
Connect online
I’ve built and optimized clients’ websites since 2002 and written about it since 2011.
Over the years I…
- contributed to Search Engine People, Not Your Average Jo, among others.
- supported community at Quora, Clarity, Google Search Console Help,
- worked at Critical Mass, McCann Canada, Miro, and others.
- spoke at digital marketing conferences,
- instructed sessions at schools like Mount Royal University, Higher School of Economics, Jelly Academy.
Connect with me on LinkedIn. In 2023 I started writing at Search Friendly. Read my articles below.
SEO Professionals: Which One Do YOU Need?
Learn about the different types of SEO professionals. Choose the ones that work for your business. This article includes costs and a step-by-step process of finding the right SEO professional for your case.
Local Citation Building: The Definitive Guide to Boosting Your Local SEO in 2025
Want higher local rankings? More customers finding YOUR business? Local citations can deliver. This guide gives you the step-by-step playbook (including how to track your work) to build powerful citations yourself. Plus, I’ll break down if hiring a citation building service makes sense for you.
Mastering the Search-Driven Customer Journey: An SEO Guide for Marketers
Stop guessing how SEO fits the customer journey! This guide is for digital marketers in search-heavy industries (like B2B, Local, E-comm) who need to connect the dots. Learn exactly how search shapes buyer behavior at every stage and get actionable tips, keyword insights, plus AI prompts you can use today to turn searchers into customers.
How to Build Marketing Personas for SEO to Gain Search Traffic?
Move beyond basic avatars. Create SEO personas that reveal how your ideal customers really use search engines. Understand their keywords, intent, and pain points to craft laser-focused content strategy that boosts rankings and conversions. Get the step-by-step process, packed with actionable insights for marketers.
Start SEO
Learn about search engine optimization, its ongoing evolution and value for digital marketers. Check the process and get tips on keyword research and SEO strategy.
Starting Local SEO
Learn all you need to know about Local SEO. Watch short videos. Get stats and visuals. Get the roadmap to improve your local search visibility.
Starting Paid Search
Begin your paid search journey. Learn how Google Ads work. Get best practices on conducting keyword research, setting up campaigns, ad groups and ads.
Starting Search Engine Marketing
Learn about search engine marketing. Its place in digital marketing mix. Its key components and why digital marketers shouldn’t ignore integrated search engine marketing campaigns.
About Alex Zagoumenov
Alex is dedicated to empowering business owners and teams to attract customers and drive growth through search engines. With over two decades of hands-on digital marketing experience spanning top agencies, SaaS companies, and local businesses, Alex brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his work.
His journey in digital marketing began in 2002, leading to a Bachelor of Management degree with a focus on Marketing from The University of Lethbridge in 2008. Alex honed his skills at major digital marketing agencies like Critical Mass, working with high-profile clients such as Mercedes-Benz USA, Rolex, and Visit Las Vegas, and later as an SEO Specialist at McCann Canada, contributing to strategies for clients including Bayer Crop Science Canada and Nespresso. He also gained valuable experience on the client-side as an SEO and SEM Manager for the rapidly growing SaaS company Miro (formerly RealtimeBoard).
Alex’s expertise is backed by industry certifications, including being a Google Adwords Certified Professional and holding certifications from HubSpot, SEMrush, and Hootsuite. He possesses deep knowledge across all facets of search visibility, including Local SEO, Technical SEO, Content Optimization, Link Building, and Google Ads.
Since 2010, Alex has focused on sharing his knowledge through consulting, coaching, and teaching. He founded Search Friendly Inc. and serves as a Course Instructor at both Search Friendly and Jelly Academy, teaching SEO and Google Ads to diverse audiences. He is described as a “digital marketing Swiss army knife” known for his approachable, straightforward, and customized teaching style.
Throughout his career, Alex has audited and optimized over 250 websites and coached more than 75 clients across various sectors—including local businesses, SaaS companies, global brands, creators, and eCommerce owners—to improve their search visibility and generate more leads. While detailed case studies for specific clients are best discussed directly, Alex’s extensive track record demonstrates his ability to deliver results.
Connect with Alex to explore how his coaching, courses, or consulting services can help you or your team master SEO and achieve your business goals.