Have you ever wondered how you can become a Google Ads expert and gain all the recognition and benefits of becoming one? We have taken the time to publish a guide on how you can become a Google Ads expert through their (Google Ads) certification exams.

What is Google Ads Certification?

Google offers an accreditation to individuals who are able to perform well in basic and advanced sections of Google Ads. They call this accreditation the Google Ads certification.

There are six Google Ads certifications online today: Google Ads Search, Google Ads Display, Google Ads Video, Shopping ads, Google Ads Apps and Google Ads Measurement.

Why is Google Ads Certification Important?

1. Demonstrate your expertise: You are able to show your prospects that you’ve been accredited by Google with a certificate that you can print out. It gives you that credibility that you know what you’re doing and would be able to fulfil their online marketing needs.
2. Google Partner: If you work or run a digital marketing company, you’d be able to use your certification to help your company earn the Google partner program.
3. Enhance your CV: Perhaps, you’re looking to apply for marketing roles and climb the ladder in your company, this certification will enhance your CV and make you an ideal candidate for the applied role.

Google Ads certifications VS the Google Partner badge

You might be wondering, what is the difference between the Google Ads Certification and the Google Partner badge. Here are a couple of points that showcase the differences.

How It Works

To take the assessments, you need access to your Skillshop account. Skillshop is an online platform where you can access free online training to develop skills for Google workplace tools.

Besides getting access to the certification assessments, you’ll also be given access to related learning paths that you need to study for the assessments.

There are six (6) product areas in Google Ads. To become certified by Google, you’d need to pass the product area assessment available.

The certifications are available for the following Google Ads product areas:

• Google Ads Search
• Google Ads Display
• Google Ads Video
• Shopping ads
• Google Ads Apps
• Google Ads Measurement certification.

Note: The Google Ads Measurement certification doesn't count towards the Google Partner badge.

Google Ads Search Certification

Build and optimise Google Search campaigns with this certification, proven to equip marketers with the right tools to succeed in search marketing.

Certified users will exhibit the ability to leverage automated solutions like Smart Bidding and Audience Solutions to boost campaign performance for specific marketing objectives.

By earning the Google Ads Search Certification, Google recognizes your ability to:

• Translate an online marketing vision into a cohesive digital marketing strategy.
• Create a Google Search strategy in conjunction with larger company marketing plans.
• Using Google Search, create a strategy for increasing leads, sales, or web traffic
• Create a strategy for reaching out to new and existing customers using Google Search Audiences.
• Ensure that your search marketing strategy is in sync with your digital marketing budget.

Google Ads Display Certification

Demonstrate your expertise to deliver good results that get the most from your display advertising investment using Google Display.

Certified users can show that they can create successful Display strategies and campaigns to meet particular marketing objectives.

By gaining the Google Ads Display Certification, you show that you can:

• Translate an online marketing vision into a cohesive digital marketing strategy.
• Create a Google Display strategy that is integrated into the overall marketing strategy of the company.
• Create a strategy for increasing awareness, consideration, action, and retention with Google Display.
• Create a strategy for reaching out to new and existing customers using Google Display Audiences.
• Ensure that your display marketing strategy is in sync with your digital marketing budget.

Google Ads Video Certification

Demonstrate your ability to use YouTube and Google Video advertisement solutions to generate results.

Certified users will demonstrate an understanding of how to tell effective stories on YouTube to reach potential customers along the entire purchase journey at scale.

By earning the Google Ads Video Certification, Google recognizes your ability to:

• Learn how YouTube's value to creators, users, and advertisers can influence brand performance.
• Learn how to use YouTube audiences to deliver more relevant advertisements to your customers at every stage of their journey.
• Create a strategy for using YouTube video formats to raise awareness, increase consideration, and drive action.
• In order to keep your audience's attention, incorporate creative strategies for telling effective brand stories on YouTube.
• Make use of YouTube to generate direct response.

Shopping Ads Certification

Test your knowledge of how to use and optimise Shopping advertising.

Certified users will also be able to show that they understand how to build and refine Shopping campaigns to increase reach and conversions.

By earning the Shopping ads Certification, Google recognizes your ability to:

• Understand how Shopping campaigns can promote online and local inventory, as well as how Smart Shopping campaigns can help you achieve your marketing goals.
• Drive online and in-store traffic with Local Inventory and Local Catalog ads.
• Discover how Google solutions can help retailers connect with customers and grow their businesses.
• Learn how Showcase Shopping ads affect consumers at the beginning of their purchasing journey.

Google Ads Apps Certification

Demonstrate your ability to create Google App campaigns that have a positive impact on businesses.

Certified users will show they understand the fundamentals of campaign creation and advanced optimization strategies.

By earning the Google Ads Apps Certification, Google recognizes your ability to:

• Explain how app campaigns contribute to marketing success by facilitating user discovery and engagement.
• Create an App campaign to achieve a specific marketing objective.
• Improve the performance of an app campaign with advanced campaign, creative, and measurement strategies.
• Improve the app's quality and discoverability.

Google Ads - Measurement Certification

Demonstrate your ability to measure and optimize digital ad performance using Google’s measurement solutions.

Certified users will show they can understand the metrics that matter and can turn key insights into action to improve Google Ads performance and make an impact on their business.

By earning the Google Ads - Measurement Certification, Google recognizes your ability to:

• Translate your marketing goals into measurable actions.
• Set up tracking to track sales, app downloads/installs, and/or leads.
• Learn how to analyse and act on insights from conversion tracking data.
• Choose the best attribution model for your business objectives.

How to pass?

You will be given 75 minutes to complete an assessment. You must have an 80 percent or higher on the certification exam to pass.. If you don't pass an assessment, you can retake it 1 day later.

When you begin the assessment, a timer will begin to count down. You will not be able to pause the timer once it has begun. If you leave the assessment — for example, if you close your browser or your computer shuts down — the timer will immediately stop. You'll have to wait 1 day to take the assessment again.

How to stay certified

Your Google Ads certification will be valid until the expiration of the product area certification. The certifications are valid for a period of one year.

To renew your certification, you must retake and pass the certification assessment in the relevant product area.

How to Communicate Your Certification

Here are some more tips for communicating your certification:

• Only if you have personally passed the certification assessments may you refer to yourself as certified. It is not enough to have a certified coworker or a badged agency.

• As long as your certification is valid, you can refer to yourself as 'certified.' After the expiration date, you will no longer be able to refer to yourself as 'certified' unless you retake the assessments.

• Your certification may be mentioned on your CV, business cards, LinkedIn profile, and other social media profiles. Please keep in mind that Google Partners logos can only be used in accordance with our usage guidelines.