Getting started in the world of online advertising can be tough. The ever-changing landscape, complicated algorithms, and unique features make it a skill that needs constant updating. With that being said, getting good at online advertising can allow you to achieve a 6-figure salary and can allow you the freedom many people seek. The biggest platform for online ads is Google. In 2020 businesses spent over 150 Billion dollars on Google ads. With that, over 80% of all companies focus on Google Ads for PPC. With the average agency rate ranging anywhere from 5-25% of ad spend this can be an extremely lucrative industry to get involved in. We have compiled a list of the best certifications for when you are learning google ads.
Today’s blog is focused on the certifications that we recommend when someone istrying to learn Google Ads. This will be ranked on Difficulty, length of time, cost, and overall credibility. We know that many young marketers are on a budget so a majority of these certifications are free to take, and can help BIG in increasing your chances of landing a marketer role within a company.
Google Ads Certifications
Difficulty: Beginner
Length: Varies | 2-10 Hours
Cost: FREE!
Overall Credibility: This is a program created by Google so credibility is high
Link: Google Ads
The first on our list is from the big cheese itself. Google offers two fantastic courses (Google Ads & Google Analytics Certifications). Our team recommends starting with the Google Ads learning platform and taking their six different certifications. These include Google Ads Display Certification, Google Ads – Measurement Certification, Google Ads Apps Certification, the Shopping ads Certification, Google Ads Video Certification, and Google Ads Search Certification. Each of these certifications will take anywhere from 1-3 hours to complete and offer a wide range of tips to improve your online marketing.
This is the perfect place to start for someone hoping to dabble in Google ads as it allows you to dip your toe in the world of advertising. Furthermore, this platform also allows you to take learning courses on your own schedule giving you the freedom to work on it whenever you’d like. To learn more about the specific certifications and what they will teach you make sure to click their links above.
Google Analytics Certifications
Difficulty: Beginner
Length: Varies | 4-10 Hours
Cost: FREE!
Overall Credibility: This is another program by Google so credibility is high and is one of the most sought-after certifications for hirers.
Link: Google Analytics
The second certification on our list is also created and maintained by Google. This certification is perfect for anyone who has taken the Google ads certificate and will help you become more efficient with what you learned in the previous course. This certification is also free and offers a one-year life span before you have to recertify.
The Google Analytics certification covers basic and advanced Google Analytics concepts, including:
- Planning and principles
- Implementation and data collection
- Configuration and administration
- Conversion and attribution
- Reports, metrics and dimensions
But it’s not just for beginners – it’s also a very powerful tool for experienced users. We recommend marketers take this certification after receiving the Google Ads Certifications as it will help leverage the knowledge you get from those. For more information on Google Analytics click the link above.
HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
Difficulty Beginner/Intermediate
Length: 1-3 hours
Cost: FREE!
Overall Credibility: Highly credible
Link: https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/inbound
The third certification on our list is one of the core certifications many marketers get when starting their marketing careers. HubSpot offers a wide range of marketing and sales certifications that can help you stay on top of your game. Our favorite is the HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification. This certification is a great start and will go over more than just Google Ads.
What you’ll learn:
- Create content that educates and nurtures leads through their buyer’s journey.
- Offer relevant content and lead nurturing experiences to leads and customers.
- Optimize your marketing processes using automation strategies and AI tools.
With this wide range of course materials, those who take this certification get more than the Google ad platform. This is perfect to couple with the Google Ads and Google Analytics certification and can help make a well-rounded marketer.
SEMRush PPC Fundamentals Course
Difficulty: Beginners
Length: 3-5 Hours
Cost: FREE!
Overall Credibility: Third-Party Credibility
Link: SEMRush PPC Course
If you are looking for an easy fundamental course on PPC as a whole SEMRush is the place to go. This 3-5 hour course is absolutely free and is a great introduction to Pay Per Click. This in partnership with the Google certifications and HubSpot would put you in a great position for PPC marketing.
SEMRush states that this course is created for anyone who wants to learn what it takes to become a pay-per-click specialist or to be able to launch and manage PPC campaigns on their own. It will help you avoid losing money on Google Ads by teaching you how to create effective, successful, and profitable PPC campaigns.
Alison Diploma in Google Ads
Difficulty: Beginner/Advanced
Length: 10-15 Hours
Cost: FREE, but you have to pay for a PDF of your certificate
Overall Credibility: Third-Party Credibility
Link: https://alison.com/course/diploma-in-google-ads
If you are someone who likes adding titles to their name then the Alison Diploma in Google Ads is for you. This course spans 10 hours of classes going over everything you need to know about Google ads. Once completed users can take an exam that will grant you your “Diploma” in Google Ads. Though this isn’t an official diploma the course is accredited by the CPD so it does have some report. We would recommend doing this course after finishing the above courses as they will impact you more in the long run.
Alison states that this diploma course teaches you how to employ Google Ads to grow your business by attracting consistent and profitable web traffic around the clock. Most contemporary customers use Google to search for products and services online, and many businesses lose out because their competitors’ Google Ads campaigns are better optimized. Earn this diploma to learn how to make better use of Google’s algorithms to make sure that your ads make an impact.
LinkedIn Advanced Google Ads
Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 5-6 hours
Cost: $50 for the class
Overall Credibility: This course has been vetted by LinkedIn and is a great course for someone looking for the next step in their ad career.
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/advanced-google-ads
The LinkedIn Advanced Google Ads course is the next step in a marketer’s journey after they have been doing ads for enough time. It’s perfect for those who have become experts at the fundamental of Google Ads and want to take it to the next level. The description for the course states “You’ve mastered the fundamentals of using Google Ads for marketing campaigns. Want to ensure that you’re leveraging all that this popular pay-per-click (PPC) advertising analytics tool has to offer? In this advanced course, Michael Taylor helps you take your Google Ads knowledge to the next level.
Unsure if you’re consistently making the right decisions to maximize your PPC performance? Learn how to follow bid and budget optimization rules and defend the optimization decisions you make. Curious how top advertisers work efficiently on large accounts? Get tips for using the Google Ads Editor to quickly make changes in bulk, as well as how to modify campaigns via bulk sheets. Plus, learn how to run Google Ads scripts that automate nearly anything on your account, efficiently track campaign performance, and leverage other Google channels,”
We recommend this class for someone trying to get to the next level of managing ads. The course offers a wide range of tactics to help you be more efficient in your spending, and get your clients the most bang for their buck. For more information on the class click the link above.
Who is Finden Marketing?
Finden Marketing is Duluth, Minnesota’s leading Gen Z & Millennial marketing agency. With years of experience, over a million dollars of ads managed, and a dedicated team we can help grow your business to its true potential. Our team offers a wide range of services, including PR, Branding, Content Creation, Paid Media, Graphic Design, and Web Development. With over 50 projects in the bag, Finden Marketing is becoming a staple marketing agency in Duluth, Minnesota. With awards including the Duluth News Tribune Best of the Best and Upcity’s top digital marketing agencies.
To learn more about Finden Marketing, check us out here, or visit us at our office in Duluth, Minnesota. Make sure to stay in touch with us: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Check out some of our other blogs here:
