Google Ads certification is an industry-recognized credential that can show you’re proficient in creating, managing, and optimizing advertising campaigns through Google.
If you’re new to digital marketing or interested in managing online ads, you may wonder if Google Ads certification is worth it. Specifically, will it help you acquire your first job in the industry?
In short, yes, Google Ads certification is well worth pursuing. Many recruiters overlook resumes that lack this certification.
However, there is some nuance. Usually, on its own, Google Ads certification won’t be enough to secure a digital marketing job. You’ll typically need to be able to demonstrate your experience and also prove your skills as a digital marketer.
That’s where we enter the picture. Climb Hire is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income working adults actually land jobs in the tech industry.
Our Google & Meta Ads Certification program goes beyond certification to teach you the fundamentals of Paid Search marketing. The course offers hands-on client experience and helps you obtain your first role in digital marketing.
Thanks to our generous donors, our program is completely free throughout 2024. In addition, over 80% of our graduates find a job within six months of completion.
Before diving into the details of our program, let’s first explore what Google Ads certification entails and why obtaining it is beneficial.
Is Google Ads Certification Worth It?
We think Google Ads certification is worth it, and here’s why:
- It’ll prove to potential employers that you have the skills you need as a digital marketer. Many job recruiters won’t consider hiring someone without Google Ads certification. They often filter out resumes that don’t list these certifications.
- It shows you’re dedicated to your line of work. Having the certification shows you’re a dedicated marketer who’s willing to go the extra mile to learn and grow in the field.
- It offers educational value for beginners. It’s an excellent way for beginners to learn how Google Ads works, including its core elements and associated terminology.
- It’s cost-effective. Google Ads certifications are free, making them a great option for those starting their careers or considering a career change.
For many seeking Google Ads certification, the primary goal is to acquire basic digital marketing skills and secure a job in the field.
However, it’s important to note that Google Ads certification, while essential for beginners, is just a certification. It doesn’t provide hands-on client experience, real-world results, or a deep understanding of the marketing strategies that drive business growth—elements that job recruiters are keen to see.
Thus, while Google Ads certification is a valuable asset, supplementing it with more comprehensive training in digital marketing will significantly improve your chances of securing a job.
Climb Hire’s Google & Meta Ads Certification program does exactly that. It gets you certified and equips you with hands-on experience and practical skills that are highly valued in the industry.
But before we dive into our program, it’s crucial to note that there are almost a dozen Google Ads certifications. So when you say you want “Google Ads certification,” you first have to determine which specific certification you want to pursue.
What Google Ads Certification Should You Get?
There are 11 Google Ads certifications each targeting a different aspect of digital advertising:
- Google Ads Search certification: This certification teaches you to create and optimize Google Search campaigns, helping you attract the right audience and achieve better results for your clients. This is the certification you’ll earn during Climb Hire’s Paid Search Marketing track.
- Google Ads Display certification: This certification covers building and optimizing Display Network campaigns, helping you create eye-catching ads that boost brand visibility and drive conversions.
- Google Ads Video certification: This certification teaches you how to use YouTube and Google Video ads to create engaging videos that capture the attention of your target audience.
- Google Ads Apps certification: This certification teaches you how to promote apps effectively, reaching potential users and increasing downloads and engagement through Google Ads.
- Google Ads Measurement certification: This certification focuses on using Google Analytics and other tools to measure and improve campaign performance, track your success, and refine strategies for better results.
- Google Ads Creative certification: This certification guides you in using Google’s creative tools to design ads that connect with your audience and drive action.
- AI-Powered Performance Ads certification: This certification teaches you to use AI for creating and optimizing high-performing ad campaigns, improving targeting and efficiency.
- AI-Powered Shopping Ads certification: This certification trains you in leveraging AI to enhance and optimize shopping ads for e-commerce. You’ll learn how to make your online store stand out and drive increased sales.
- Grow Offline Sales certification: This certification focuses on driving offline sales through online ads, enabling you to connect your digital marketing efforts with in-store purchases and boost your revenue.
- Google Ads Search Professional certification: This certification elevates your Google Search skills with advanced strategies and insights for more effective search ad campaigns.
- Google Ads Display Professional certification: This certification provides advanced techniques for improving your Display Network campaigns, giving you the tools to make your ads more impactful.
The certification you choose will depend on your specific goals and experience level in digital marketing.
If you’re already a digital marketing professional, your choice of certification will depend on your past experience, job role, and career goals. For beginners, however, the Google Ads Search certification is an excellent starting point.
The Google Ads Search certification provides a foundational introduction to paid search marketing, focusing on creating, managing, and optimizing search campaigns on platforms like Google. It covers key concepts like keyword research, ad creation, bidding strategies, and campaign optimization, equipping you with essential skills for search marketing.
These core concepts are relevant across various digital marketing channels, making the certification a valuable stepping stone for understanding the broader digital marketing landscape.
With this certification, you’ll improve your chances of securing a role in search engine marketing, particularly as a PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Marketer or Google Ads Specialist.
How Do You Get Google Ads Certification?
There are two main ways to obtain Google Ads certification:
- Climb Hire’s Google & Meta Ads Certification Program: This program not only provides the Google Ads Search certification but also covers fundamental digital marketing skills and helps you get a job. Plus, it’s free for all students in 2024!
- Directly through Google’s Skillshop: This route is also free and provides the certification but lacks additional digital marketing knowledge, experience, or strategies. As such, this may not be enough to get you gainfully employed in the industry.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll need to pass the Google Ads certification exam.
Employers value certifications because they demonstrate your ability to use Google Ads successfully in the workplace.
Every exam is “open-book,” meaning you can look at study materials and use the internet while taking them. However, if you can’t answer the questions on your own, it indicates that you haven’t fully grasped the material. Additionally, the exams are timed, so if you’re not well-prepared, you may struggle to finish on time.
To pass each exam, you need to score at least 80%. The exam format includes both multiple-choice and true/false questions. Once you pass, your certificate is valid for one year. After that, you’ll need to recertify to keep your credentials up to date.
Now let’s explore the two paths to certification in detail.
1. Get Certified for Free & Boost Your Chances of Employment with Climb Hire
Climb Hire’s Google & Meta Ads Certification program takes only four months to complete and can bridge the gap between learning Google Ads basics and actually becoming job-ready in digital marketing as a Paid Search marketer.
Here’s how our program prepares you for certification, equips you for digital marketing roles, and helps you find a job:
- Expert-led instruction: You’ll get live instruction with our experts, learning the paid search marketing skills and methodologies crucial for success. This includes managing Google Ads campaigns and Facebook Ads campaigns to drive conversions, creating successful keyword strategies, and analyzing campaign performance. Take a look at our Paid Search Marketing syllabus for more details on what you’ll learn.
- Industry-recognized certifications: Upon completion of the program, you’ll earn two industry-recognized certifications: Google Ads Search Certification and Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate, enhancing your resume and credibility.
- Hands-on experience: You’ll gain practical experience working on PPC campaigns for a real-world client that you can showcase on your resume and portfolio during a capstone project at the end of the course.
- Soft skills training: In addition to technical skills, we’ll teach you crucial soft skills such as resume and cover letter writing and interview preparation, giving you a leg-up in your job search.
- Career support: You’ll be paired with a dedicated Career Development Advisor who will support you every step of the way as you look for a digital marketing job.
- Professional networking: You’ll gain access to our extensive professional network, providing valuable connections in the digital marketing industry.
On top of all that, our program is entirely remote, allowing you to participate from anywhere with internet access. It’s also 100% free for all students who enroll in 2024, thanks to our generous donors.
And you don’t have to take our word for it—consider this: 80% of our graduates find jobs within six months of completing the program, often securing positions with salaries of $50k or more per year.
You can hear about the success of our programs directly from alumni. Before finding Climb Hire, Dominick worked across many different jobs, from security to fast food.
“I just wanted a job that would allow me to learn and develop skills that would benefit me in the future. I didn’t have a professional network to sort of help guide me and mentor me toward success.”
Thanks to Climb Hire, Dominick now has a lucrative job in tech. “They really helped keep me motivated and also helped me build the confidence I needed to land that awesome dream job.”
The application for Climb Hire’s Google & Meta Ads Certification program is quick and easy. Head over to our website and begin the process now.
2. Get Certified without Any Support through Skillshop
If our program isn’t what you’re looking for, you can also use Skillshop to get certified on your own. Keep in mind that this route will only get you the certification without a broader understanding of digital marketing, practical experience, or industry insights that can significantly enhance your skills and employability.
Additionally, you won’t receive any support in your job search, which can be incredibly valuable as you transition into a successful digital marketing career.
Still interested? Here’s a step-by-step guide on getting certified through Skillshop:
- Sign up on Skillshop: All Google Ads certifications are available on Google’s Skillshop platform. You’ll need to create an account or log in with your existing Google account.
- Choose your certification: Select from the 11 different Google Ads certifications, choosing the one that aligns with your interests and career goals.
- Study the material on your own: Google Skillshop provides some study materials with certification, including lessons and exercises. However, you’ll need to study and learn the material independently, without help or support.
- Take and pass the exam: Keep in mind that without additional guidance, it might be more challenging to thoroughly understand the material and pass the exam on your own.
To reiterate, with this method, you only get certification. You won’t gain hands-on experience, personalized mentorship, job placement support, or learn broader paid search marketing concepts and tactics that you’ll need in a real digital marketing role.
Use Climb Hire as a Stepping Stone to Break into a Digital Marketing Career
If you study and earn your Google Ads certification on your own, you’ll be entering the job market without a network or job support. On top of that, the certification on its own may not fully prepare you for a job in digital marketing.
We believe enrolling in Climb Hire’s Google & Meta Ads Certification program is a much better option, and it only takes four months to complete!
Here’s a recap of some of the perks:
- No cost in 2024: Thanks to our generous donors, students won’t pay a dime for the program throughout 2024.
- Dual certifications: When you graduate, you’ll have both Google Ads and Meta Ads certifications, along with a strong foundation in paid search marketing skills.
- Hands-on experience: You’ll gain practical experience through a capstone project involving real-world digital marketing work for actual clients.
- Comprehensive job support: We provide extensive job support, including a personal Career Development Advisor, resume building, interview prep, and networking opportunities.
- Strong earning potential: The average starting salary for Climb Hire graduates is $50k.
Ready to launch your digital marketing career? Apply now to Climb Hire’s Google & Meta Ads Certification program.