Machine learning (ML) has grown consistently in worldwide prevalence. Its implications have stretched from small, seemingly inconsequential victories to groundbreaking discoveries. The SEO community is no exception. An understanding and intuition of machine learning can support our understanding of the challenges and solutions Google’s engineers are facing, while also opening our minds to ML’s broader implications.
The advantages of gaining an general understanding of machine learning include:
- Gaining empathy for engineers, who are ultimately trying to establish the best results for users
- Understanding what problems machines are solving for, their current capabilities and scientists’ goals
- Understanding the competitive ecosystem and how companies are using machine learning to drive results
- Preparing oneself for for what many industry leaders call a major shift in our society (Andrew Ng refers to AI as a “new electricity”)
- Understanding basic concepts that often appear within research (it’s helped me with understanding certain concepts that appear within Google Brain’s Research)
- Growing as an individual and expanding your horizons (you might really enjoy machine learning!)
- When code works and data is produced, it’s a very fulfilling, empowering feeling (even if it’s a very humble result)
I spent a year taking online courses, reading books, and learning about learning (…as a machine). This post is the fruit borne of that labor — it covers 17 machine learning resources (including online courses, books, guides, conference presentations, etc.) comprising the most affordable and popular machine learning resources on the web (through the lens of a complete beginner). I’ve also added a summary of “If I were to start over again, how I would approach it.”
This article isn’t about credit or degrees. It’s about regular Joes and Joannas with an interest in machine learning, and who want to spend their learning time efficiently. Most of these resources will consume over 50 hours of commitment. Ain’t nobody got time for a painful waste of a work week (especially when this is probably completed during your personal time). The goal here is for you to find the resource that best suits your learning style. I genuinely hope you find this research useful, and I encourage comments on which materials prove most helpful (especially ones not included)! #HumanLearningMachineLearning
Executive summary:
Here’s everything you need to know in a chart:
*Free, but there is the cost of running an AWS EC2 instance (~$70 when I finished, but I did tinker a ton and made a Rick and Morty script generator, which I ran many epochs [rounds] of…)
Here’s my suggested program:
1. Starting out (estimated 60 hours)
Start with shorter content targeting beginners. This will allow you to get the gist of what’s going on with minimal time commitment.
- Start listening to OCDevel’s Machine Learning Guide Podcast (skip episodes 1, 3, 16, 21, and 26) in your car, working out, and/or when…
