If your business operates online, you likely understand that SEO represents the fastest path to growing your digital presence. This means you recognize how crucial search engines are for driving meaningful traffic to your site.
As you look to deepen your SEO expertise, you may have encountered Brian Dean’s course, SEO That Works. What exactly is SEO That Works (or STW), and is it worth your investment? Let’s dive into this comprehensive review to find out.
What Is SEO That Works?
SEO That Works is Brian Dean’s comprehensive SEO course, developed by the founder of backlinko.com. The course has undergone three major revisions, with each iteration refining and improving the methodology. Rather than following traditional SEO approaches that often fail to deliver results, STW offers a revolutionary take on search engine optimization.
Many businesses invest heavily in SEO-optimized content, yet their articles never break through to Google’s first three pages. Brian’s solution centers on building exceptional content he calls The Power Page and implementing strategic marketing around that cornerstone content.
Who Is Brian Dean?
Brian Dean stands as a recognized SEO authority who consistently ranks for highly competitive keywords across the web. Forbes has profiled him as a “recognized SEO expert,” highlighting his proven track record in the industry.
Within the competitive SEO landscape, Brian has maintained first-page Google rankings for challenging keywords like “keyword research” and “on page SEO,” consistently outperforming established SEO agencies. His affiliate ventures have generated over $10,000 monthly within just four months of launch. His course graduates have successfully applied these methods to dramatically improve their own rankings and business growth.
Beyond teaching, Brian operates an agency that helps businesses achieve rankings in even the most challenging niches. His SEO That Works course reveals the complete methodology behind these successes, starting with an analysis of conventional SEO’s shortcomings and presenting his innovative alternative approach.
SEO That Works Pricing
SEO That Works operates as a premium course with limited enrollment windows throughout the year. Each course release includes updated content and revised pricing, making it one of the web’s most expensive SEO education programs. Currently, interested students can join Brian Dean’s waiting list through the official website.
The course offers three distinct membership tiers: Complete, Advanced, and Standard. Each level provides different access privileges and support options.
Pricing breaks down as follows: Complete Membership costs $397 monthly for 12 months, Advanced Membership runs $197 monthly for 12 months, and Standard Membership is priced at $97 monthly for 12 months.
The accompanying chart shows exactly what each membership level includes. Keep in mind that pricing adjustments occur with each course revision.
What’s Included In SEO That Works?
The course features five core modules plus bonus lessons, all focused on creating compelling Power Pages that naturally attract links and social shares. This organic link-building approach drives higher search engine rankings without relying on outdated tactics.
These five comprehensive modules distill into three fundamental strategies:
Brian delivers the training through digestible video lessons, each under 10 minutes. Students receive PDF transcripts for reference and MP3 versions for mobile learning convenience.
Module 0: Introduction
The introductory module identifies three critical old-world SEO mistakes that prevent most marketers from achieving success.
These three counterproductive approaches include:
- Keeping your site updated with fresh, quality content
- Focusing on long tail keywords
- Not proactively building links
Brian then reveals current SEO strategies that actually work, introducing his framework called The New World of SEO.
Module 1: Fast Track SEO Success
This module reveals Brian’s proven methods for achieving first-page Google rankings, covering strategies for both new and established websites to rank quickly.
Here, Brian introduces Linkreators—a specific content type that naturally attracts links and shares. This approach helps secure endorsements from influential bloggers and journalists who amplify your content to their established audiences.
Module 2: Publishing Content That Attracts Links, Traffic And Customers
This module focuses on creating Power Pages—content designed to generate authority backlinks and targeted traffic repeatedly. Brian shares seven proven Content Frameworks he uses for link building and traffic generation, complete with real-world examples and exclusive case studies.
Students learn his systematic approach to creating viral infographics using Share Triggers—psychological elements that encourage organic sharing.
His Trademark Technique shows how to generate industry buzz while positioning yourself as a recognized expert in your field.
Module 3: Promoting Your Content And Securing Authority Site Backlinks
This module extends beyond basic SEO into strategic content promotion. Students receive the exact link-building and promotion strategies Brian used to secure first-page rankings for competitive terms like “on page SEO,” “keyword research,” and “backlinks.”
Module 4: SEO Energizers
The final module unveils advanced on-page and off-page SEO strategies that consistently deliver results.
The standout technique here is the Wet Clay Link Building method, which automatically delivers fresh link opportunities directly to your inbox daily. Students also learn to double their on-page SEO effectiveness using Brian’s refined optimization approach.
The CTR Magnet Method shows how to increase search traffic within days rather than waiting weeks or months for results.
Course Quality Assessment
STW’s learning platform delivers a premium educational experience. The production quality is exceptional, featuring a user-friendly interface, crystal-clear videos, and professional-grade audio throughout. Students receive comprehensive supplementary materials including PDF transcripts, slideshows, and audio files for every lesson.
Complete membership holders gain direct access to Brian Dean for personalized questions and responses. All students join the exclusive STW community for peer discussions and problem-solving. Additional perks include Backlinko insider sessions, exclusive case studies, and lifetime course updates as new insights emerge.
Overall, SEO That Works maintains premium production standards that justify its positioning as a high-end educational resource.
Does SEO That Works Deliver Results?
Brian Dean’s methodology represents a genuinely innovative approach to SEO. However, course effectiveness ultimately depends on individual implementation and commitment to the strategies taught.
SEO That Works promises to teach ranking methods that can elevate websites within months while driving substantial traffic growth. The demonstrated techniques prove highly effective—graduates often develop the skills to analyze competitor content, create superior alternatives, and build share-worthy Power Pages and infographics that boost search visibility.
Course alumni report generating over 60,000 monthly visitors to new websites by applying STW techniques. However, some students struggle with implementation challenges.
While this course serves as an excellent resource for SEO newcomers and website owners, prospective students should maintain realistic expectations. SEO remains inherently unpredictable—search algorithms change frequently, and no strategy guarantees permanent top rankings. Proper expectations are essential before enrolling in any SEO education program.
Who Benefits Most From SEO That Works?
SEO That Works suits professionals at any experience level seeking comprehensive SEO mastery. The course particularly benefits:
- digital marketing agencies seeking exceptional client results
- ecommerce site owners
- SEO analysts
- affiliate marketers
- freelance writers, graphic designers, or web developers
Website owners often invest heavily in SEO analysis and implementation. However, relying on conventional tactics keeps them trapped among competitors using identical approaches. This course opens pathways to differentiated SEO strategies that break through the noise.
We wouldn’t recommend this course for absolute beginners or those lacking content creation capabilities. The advanced concepts and implementation requirements may overwhelm newcomers to SEO.
Investment Value Analysis
SEO That Works positions itself as a comprehensive ranking system suitable for any niche—essentially a complete business training program. Similar comprehensive courses typically cost around $3,000.
While $27 SEO courses and free alternatives exist, SEO That Works distinguishes itself as an advanced program focused on ethical, white-hat link building strategies. Unlike most competitors, STW functions as a complete SEO education institution.
Course Alternatives
Numerous SEO courses existed before STW’s launch, and many have emerged since. Wealthy Affiliate represents one notable alternative, offering beginners a comprehensive introduction to profitable website creation. Wealthy Affiliate’s Online Entrepreneurship Certification costs significantly less than STW while covering broader business fundamentals.
Final Verdict: SEO That Works
SEO encompasses complex, interconnected strategies. You’ve likely wondered why mediocre content sometimes outranks superior material in Google results. SEO That Works provides a systematic formula for identifying ranking obstacles and implementing effective alternatives.
Brian Dean’s emphasis on content marketing and quality-over-quantity principles elevates STW into premium territory. The course production quality matches its educational ambitions perfectly.
Pros
- Visually appealing, easily digestible learning modules
- Excellent step-by-step blueprint presentations for clear implementation
- Concise video lessons with transcripts and comprehensive follow-up materials
- Effective recaps at lesson beginnings and endings to maintain learning momentum
- Completely ethical, white-hat techniques with long-term viability
- Complete resource package including worksheets, MP3s, and presentation slides
- Immediately actionable techniques for improving page rankings
Cons
- Premium pricing structure
- Power Page creation may challenge some students
- Methodology centers exclusively around Brian Dean’s approach
