2023 Google Ads Certification
Google Ads Certification Journey
Table of Contents
Google Ads is a rapidly growing career choice. Google ads specialists are highly skilled at generating results for their clients. It’s more than being an online marketing expert; Google Ads specialists are data experts too. They must have business acumen and interpersonal fluency to effectively understand client objectives and translate them into effective campaigns.
This makes them invaluable to businesses of all sizes—from start-ups to multinationals, including small businesses that don’t necessarily have dedicated digital teams on staff. The rise in popularity of Google ads professionals means there’s never been a better time to sharpen your skills as a digital marketer and become certified as a specialist!
According to the latest Post Office Job Market Report, the job outlook for digital marketers will grow at an average of 15% over the next year.
This makes it one of the hottest job categories in online marketing, and a great career choice for those looking to make a difference and get higher pay. On average, Google Ads specialists earn more than double the median salary for workers in the digital marketing category ($86,540 vs. $40,000).
In addition to high pay, Google ads specialists have other reasons to love their jobs (and life!). They are constantly learning new skills as they strive towards continuous professional development under a demanding checklist of criteria required by Google to maintain certification (more on that below).
These professionals also benefit from working with clients who have some impressive brand names—like Disney, Starbucks, or L’Oréal—and gain valuable knowledge from leading companies around the globe.
Acquiring Google Ads certification allows you to become part of an elite group that is a market leader in advertising effectiveness. It demonstrates to clients that your digital marketing expertise is up-to-date and can help increase trust between you and the client, opening new opportunities for revenue growth.
By learning how to get certified as a Google ads specialist, all this work will be worth it! Before we look at what’s required to become a Google Ads expert, let’s look at what Google ads specialists do and why they are needed.
Google ads specialists: What exactly do they do?
A lot More than just AdWords… Clients today want their businesses to grow faster than the general marketplace, which means more leads and sales. This is where digital marketing comes in. Digital marketing is a vital part of any business’s growth strategy, as we saw most recently with Google Play Store revenue figures.
But just because it’s “digital” doesn’t mean that all the work can be done online—there’s still a lot of work to be completed in terms of project management, client communications, and general “getting things done.” Many businesses may not have an internal team or budget to do this effectively, so they turn to specialists who are experts at their craft (and at keeping clients happy).
Google Ads specialists collaborate with clients on developing comprehensive campaigns designed around reach and frequency goals based on insight-driven strategies.
This collaboration can include everything from developing ad copy and landing pages to identifying brand metrics, developing visual assets for ad campaigns, and managing Google Search & Display advertising.
For AdWords specialists, in particular, there is a lot of work to do before the campaign even gets to that point: account planning, keyword research, audits, and analysis of past performance are all vital parts of the foundation you’ll be creating as an expert. Not only does this mean lots of learning opportunities (which we will cover later on), but it also means that you’re constantly working on finding new ways to improve your processes—and provide customers with more effective strategies for reaching their growth targets!
Google ads specialists are also responsible for regular reporting throughout the life of the campaign. This reporting informs clients on the status of performance for all campaigns, including a detailed analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and campaign goals.
This can be delivered via email or in person, depending on what the client prefers. It’s an important role to play as Google Ads specialists are accountable to both their internal team and their clients for the success of the account they manage.
Ongoing development is a big part of being a Google ads specialist because the digital marketing landscape is always changing with trends, new features being added to AdWords, and other factors that may impact campaign performance.
Digital marketers must stay up-to-date on industry best practices if they’re going to maintain their competitive edge. This means staying ahead of the curve by taking part in online training programs, certifications, and conferences.
There’s a Google digital marketing experts event coming up in May that you can read all about here.
Professional Development
It takes more than just AdWords certification to be an expert! Skilled professionals in this niche also invest in their professional growth by acquiring formal qualifications from industry leaders.
A Google Ads certification provides the most highly respected badge of excellence for those who are passionate about the latest technology and best practices to drive bottom-line results for advertisers. It’s obtained after demonstrating a solid knowledge base around advertising objectives, ad formats, landing page design—basically everything you need to know if you want to make your mark as a specialist with your clients and as a member of Google’s very own advertising team.
As you can see, that long, vertical list shows all the different ways Google Ads specialists contribute to their client’s businesses—and their careers. With such great benefits at every step of the process, it’s no wonder that so many professionals are turning to digital marketing for their career paths. _______ * To provide each article with its backlink anchor text (instead of just “Click here” or nothing at all), I’ve added phrases that were used in the article as separate anchor text links. This gives the articles more strength when they’re listed in Google; it also makes them easier for readers to navigate.
Are Google certifications valuable?
Of course, you might be wondering why anyone should pay to become a Google Ads expert. If it’s just about learning search engine marketing basics or managing PPC campaigns, why isn’t that enough? What does certification add to the equation?
While there are plenty of questions and answers out there about what exactly makes a good digital marketer, one thing is clear: having a stamp of approval from an industry leader can enhance your career opportunities and boost your earning potential.
Google is probably the biggest name in online marketing today—and that means they have a tremendous influence on how we do things here in this sector. So, the fact that Google has created official certifications for people who know their stuff makes it easier for clients to trust them to handle their online marketing.
The AdWords certification tests a candidates’ knowledge of the AdWords system, including campaign structure, goal setup, and management, as well as ad optimization. It also covers Google’s quality score system—how to set a high-scoring keyword list that beats out your competitors in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
The basic requirements for taking the exam are: you must be 18 years of age or older; you must have an active AdWords account, and your account must have been verified by a team member who doesn’t manage it. There is also a requirement that all students enrolling in the training course complete all homework assignments with at least 80 percent accuracy before taking the exam.
Can I get a job with a Google certificate?
Professional growth doesn’t stop with earning an exam credential. The Google experts program provides resources for connecting with the community, sharing ideas, and building a more rewarding career across the board.
Those who choose to participate in this innovative initiative can take advantage of mentorship opportunities, professional recognition, and access to privileged webinars offered exclusively to those who are certified through Google.
Perhaps one of my favorite things about being Google-certified is getting invitations to be part of beta tests when new products come out. For example, I was selected to beta test the new version of Shopping campaigns as soon as it was released last year! The AdWords team calls on me regularly for feedback on changes they’re considering implementing or just curious how something will play out on the web.
All in all, being Google-certified has been a great investment in my career and future income. I have to believe that for a lot of people it’s the same—and with such a high-value potential inside this certification, why wait? Enroll now!
If you’ve been searching for an inside track to success in the field of digital marketing, a Google certification can put you at the top of your game. The search engine giant is known for its innovation and commitment to excellence—and that means qualified professionals who pass their exams are respected by clients, employers, and competitors alike.
With AdWords certifications, individuals stand out from the crowd. They become recognized as experts while proving their skills upfront and throughout every campaign, they undertake with their clients. That’s incredibly valuable to businesses: nothing makes hiring an expert easier than knowing they’ve already proven themselves through testing!
And it’s equally valuable to job seekers: being a Google certified specialist can help make your resume stand out among others—and it can help you get a higher salary, too.
When you have a Google certification on your resume, potential employers can verify that you’re not just another untested employee; they can see that you’ve already demonstrated your mastery of the subject and have proof that you know what you’re doing. That means more job offers—and bigger paychecks for any position you accept!
So if becoming an official Google Ads specialist sounds like something that might be valuable to your career path, what should you do now? In addition to the GSuite program (which is free), there are two different certification programs: one for those who want to become a fully certified PPC expert; and another training course designed specifically for businesses. Here’s a brief rundown of both options:
1) Become a Google Ads PPC Qualified Associate
This important first step in becoming an official Google ads specialist provides individuals with the training they need to pursue their AdWords certification. It is designed so that students can begin learning the essential skills they’ll need to become successful PPC managers—and it covers everything from campaign creation and keyword optimization to ad extensions and structured snippets, all the way through campaign management best practice, campaign review, troubleshooting and more.
The entire course consists of two parts: Part One focuses on core concepts and theories; part Two dives into managing specific campaigns. Students will also get direct access to a private community of fellow learners where they can interact with one another and the course instructors.
The total time commitment for this stage is roughly seven hours, split between two parts: Part I is three hours; Part II is four hours—and once you’ve completed both sections, you’ll be eligible to take the official Google AdWords certification exam. (Failing will mean having to retake one or both sections of the program.) It’s very important at this point to note that although individuals must complete Part I before beginning Part II, there’s no rush! You have an entire lifetime to take these exams—the clock starts ticking when you become certified by passing your exam(s).
2) Become a Google Certified Business Associate Digital Marketing Fundamentals
If you don’t want to become a full-fledged PPC specialist, the good news is that Google also offers certification training specifically for businesses. GSuite Digital Marketing Fundamentals trains beginners at an entry-level level—and though it does not provide the same kind of career path as AdWords, it is ideal if your goal is simply to start a business or become more involved in your current one. This special introductory course provides students with an overview of what digital marketing means and how it can benefit any business on all size scales –even if they’ve never been active online before!
And again, there are two phases: Phase One consists of seven hours’ worth of lessons. It’s designed to introduce the concept of digital marketing and how to incorporate it into your business. Phase Two goes over strategies that focus on Search Engine Marketing (SEM) best practices, plus a lot more! Mentored by experienced professionals who can offer additional direction and insight, students in the second phase will gain real-world experience working through high-level campaigns for non-profit organizations—and they’ll also become certified as Official GSuite Certified Digital Marketing Specialists after completing their work.
All in all, it’s a cool program—but there’s one important thing to note: certification only lasts for a single year. After you pass your exam(s), you’ll be able to use the Google Certified Business Associate Digital Marketing Fundamentals logo on your business cards and other advertising materials for 12 months. After that, you’ll have to re-take the exams to become a certified specialist again. (Yes, this is specific to GSuite certification.)
Inconclusion
No matter which path you choose, becoming a Google Ads PPC qualified associate or official GSuite digital marketing specialist will get your education underway! It’s also worth mentioning that though these two programs are extremely different, they both begin with basic concepts—and as we all know, once you’ve got the fundamentals down pat, it becomes easier and easier!
A Word of Warning I mentioned earlier that there are two paths students can take when pursuing their Google ads certifications: one through AdWords; the other through GSuite. But if you’re just getting started, I highly recommend that you choose the latter—because it’s way less of a time commitment! On average, most people report spending upwards of eight hours studying for a single exam. Though this sounds like a lot, AdWords exams can be much more complex…and require solid preparation time. (Though as I mentioned earlier—these exams have no expiration dates.)
Google has numerous certification programs available to help students become better acquainted with industry best practices and how they apply to real-world scenarios. The Google ads Associate certification is only one of them: there are several others worth noting which offer specialized training on various topics at different levels, including Search Advertising; Display Advertising; Shopping ads; Video Advertising; and DoubleClick Sales Manager.
Some of these programs are free to register for—and they’re all open now for both registration and testing! (Don’t take the term “exams” literally, though: most certifications assess students with written tests rather than time challenges.) Perhaps you’ve already got a hunch which one is right for you.
Whatever your path may be, I wish you the best of luck in your studies! Just remember that Google certification training is designed as a set of guidelines to help new professionals learn from those who have more experience. And when it comes to AdWords (or GSuite Digital Marketing), there’s nobody who has more experience than a certified PPC specialist! When you become one, too, you’ll see that the time and effort spent studying for your exams will make all the difference.
Regardless of which certification path you choose to follow in a Google Ads certification here are some resources for getting started right away:
- Google Campus Location Finder – This search allows users to find programs near them. Simply enter your address or zip code into the box above then click on “Search Now” to begin.
Country-specific information will be listed for each location. For example, if you live in Canada then select Canada from the drop-down menu before clicking on “search now”. That will give you a list of campus locations in Canada. Select any location that is convenient for you and select “Get Details”. This will provide you with a link to the campus website.
This is an easy way to find information about Google Campus locations in your area. I would recommend calling the location first and getting more information. Some have more programs than others, etc.
- Classroom Training Courses – Google offers classroom training courses at their campus locations across Canada. Each class runs for 7 weeks (2 hours per week for each course). Students interested in this program should call their local campus for more information on dates and costs as they may vary from location to location.
- Digital Marketing Certificate Programs – These certificate programs are run every two years at selected Google campuses only (check back closer to the start date of 2021-2022 to see if your location will be running this program). To find out more information about the next program being offered at a Google campus near you, contact that campus directly.
- Onsite Training – Onsite training is also sometimes available although it is not as common. Please check back closer to 2021-2022 for the next round of dates and to contact your local campus to inquire about onsite options in your area.
- Google Ads Certified Specialist Information Sessions – Google offers these regularly, both online and offline across Canada. The next session will take place on February 19th (online) or February 22nd (offline). If you are interested in registering for an upcoming session click here. This page lists all the details including costs and materials required to attend.
- Google Ads Training Course – Google offers an online training course which is the foundation for much of what is taught in their certification programs. The cost of this program is $35 per month and runs for 6 months. You can register here. Google also has some excellent YouTube video tutorials covering everything from getting started with AdWords to advanced marketing strategies that include remarketing and conversion tracking.
Have a look at these before deciding on which path you might like to take! This article is not affiliated with Google in any way, and I do not represent the views of Google in my posts. The information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Always consult a PPC professional at Montfichet & Company about anything related to paid search campaigns and google certifications.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below.
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