Google Ads Certifications are professional accreditations offered by Google to individuals who have mastered the basics and advanced aspects of Google Ads and Google Analytics.
The main certifications are:
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification
- Google Ads Certification (Search Advertising and Fundamentals exams)
There are also other Google certifications such as Marketing Platform , Google Ad Manager or YouTube Music , among others.
The Google training program where you can get them is SkillShop (until recently Academy for Ads). Google Ads certifications are valid until the expiration date, which is usually one year.
Why get certified at Google?
They recognize you as a certified professional in different subjects such as online advertising, web analytics, etc.
There are many other certifications, but Google is currently the world's leading search engine.
In my particular case, I show you some certifications:
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification
- Google Ads Search Advertising Certification
- Digital Advertising Sales Certification
Coming soon, from 2021, to maintain Google Partner status (as in the case of my company that you can see in the image below) we must have at least 50% of users with certifications in Search, Display, Video, Shopping updated Google Ads.
What are the advantages of having Google certifications?
In addition to the challenge of passing these exams and updating yourself, it allows you to:
- Accredit your high knowledge in the specific subject
- Help your business earn the Google Partner Badge or Google Premier Partner Badge
Who can take the Google exams?
Any user interested in demonstrating their knowledge.
How can I access Google certificates?
You can take your exams in SkillShop.
What is the exam score?
Normally there are 49-50 multiple choice questions (theoretical-practical) and to pass you need to have passed 80% of the questions.
The duration is usually 90 minutes.
What expiration date do they have?
One year or 12 months.
How much do Google certifications cost?
Google certifications are free.
How many times can I introduce myself?
If you do not pass the assessment, you will be able to take it again after 24 hours.
How do I prepare for my Google exams?
You have study guides to prepare them in Google Skillshop (former Google Academy) and you can complement it with Google's official forums and YouTube channels.
And after getting the certifications, what can I do?
Meet the necessary requirements to be a Google Partner. In 2021, the requirements change regarding:
- Performance. It is not based on the increase in customers, advertisers and revenue, but on the level of optimization of the account.
- Investment. The minimum advertising investment has been modified from 10,000 dollars to 20,000 dollars in the last 90 days.
- Certifications. Going from having at least one certified user in Google Ads to at least 50% of eligible users (administrator or standard access) with updated Google Ads Search, Display, Video, Shopping certifications, in addition to having at least one certified user in each channel in which it has been invested.
- Specializations. They are superseded by the capabilities to use Google products.
In short, the requirements are tightened in terms of increasing the necessary advertising investment and the number of users with different certifications, when there is more than one eligible user.
Final Recommendation on Google Certifications
Google will launch the new Partner Program in 2021 in which the requirements will be tougher than the current ones.
My recommendation is that you don't think about it and introduce yourself, as it can help you professionally, especially if you want to be a Google Partner.
Certifications are currently free and you can apply as many times as you want.