Gaining a Google Ads Certification: A Step-By-Step Guide

Google Ads is a popular online advertising platform for businesses, and for good reason. Businesses that use Google Ads see an estimated 200 percent return on investment (ROI)—or a two-to-one return on ad spend (ROAS)— on their spend, according to WebFX's calculations [1]. Getting Google Ads certifications can help marketing teams understand how to create effective ads on the search engine, prove your expertise with the platform, and help the company you work for qualify for credentials in the Google Partners program.

By studying for and gaining this credential, you’ll gain the insight and skills to use Google Ads to meet your company’s goals successfully. Google Ads certifications are also a great way to keep your resume sharp in a competitive field. Continue reading to explore the steps to earn your Google Ads certification.

What is a Google Ads certification?

Google Ads certifications are credentials you can earn to show your mastery of skills related to using Google Ads for marketing purposes. You can gain various Google Ads certifications through online courses demonstrating your capability with Google Ads. You receive the certification once you’ve passed the assessment in the separate content areas, which include search, video, display, shopping ads, measurement, and apps.

Why get a Google Ads certification?

For many businesses, a Google Ads certification is a basic or preferred requirement when hiring a marketing specialist. A marketing certification like this can boost your resume and help you keep your skill set sharp in a competitive field. Google also offers incentives to businesses that have certified employees, so this certification can help your company reach long-term marketing goals.

If you want to break into paid ads or advance your marketing career, Google Ads certifications can help give you an edge. Hiring managers on LinkedIn and other job sites often filter applicants based on qualifications like Google Ads certifications, so earning the credentials can help you stand out and get noticed.

Finally, a Google Ads certification can help you feel more confident during the hiring process and in your marketing job. Once you start, you’ll have the terminology, skills, and experience to answer interview questions and meet the job's responsibilities.

Steps to become certified

It’s relatively straightforward to become certified in Google Ads. You can find the steps outlined below:

1. Open a Google Skillshop account.

You’ll need to set up a Google Skillshop account to access the different Google Ads certifications. Once you have an active account, you can choose your exam, track your progress, and access your completed certifications.

When signing up for a Skillshop account, it’s important to use an email address you’ll also use to manage Google Ads. That might be your work email if you’re already employed, or it might be a new account specifically for ad management.

2. Choose your exam.

Google offers multiple certification options for Google Ads, including Google Ads Video, Google Ads Apps, and Shopping Ads. Choose the Google exam that best relates to your skill set. For example, you might choose Google Search to get into search engine optimization (SEO). Alternatively, you might want to select the Google Display exam if your focus is marketing.

3. Prepare for the exam.

Once you’ve decided on the specific topic you want to become certified in, it’s time to prepare. Google offers free training resources, and tutorials, demonstrations, and learning videos are available on YouTube and the web. Taking the exam is also a great way to review since you can take notes of your wrong answers and study them before retaking the test.

4. Take the exam.

Once you feel prepared, it’s time to take the exam. Set yourself up in a quiet room with a good internet connection and a fully charged computer. You'll have 75 minutes to complete the exam. If you don’t pass the exam, you can retake it after waiting one day. The exams are also free of charge and available in 22 languages.

Read more: How to Become a Google Ads Specialist

Types of Google Ads certifications

Currently, you have a choice of various Google Ads certifications. The following offers a summary of each:

Search: 

• Google Ads Search Certification: This exam tests your skills with Google Search’s automated campaign tools to increase a campaign’s performance.

Video

• Google Ads Video: This exam tests your ability to use Google Video and YouTube to reach an intended audience.

Display

• Google Ads Display: This exam tests your ability to use Google Display to create effective marketing campaigns.

Shopping ads

• AI-Powered Shopping Ads Certification: Demonstrate your ability to use AI-powered shopping ads, including your knowledge of Performance Max.

Measurement

• Google Ads—Measurement Certification: This exam tests your ability to use Google measurement tools to monitor a campaign’s performance.

Apps

• Google Ads Apps Certification: This exam tests your ability to use the Google Ads app platform to deliver effective ad campaigns.

Others

• AI-Powered Performance Ads Certification: Show your understanding of Google's AI solutions to optimize your ad campaigns.

• Google Ads Creative: This exam tests your ability to create engaging and professional ad content for Video, App, Display, and Search campaigns.

• Grow Offline Sales: This exam tests your ability to deliver the right ads to customers at different points in their purchasing journey.

Tips for taking the Google Ads certification exam

Set yourself up for success by following these tips before taking the Google Ads certification exam:

Use printed notes.

Print your notes for easy reference in the event you cannot access them online during the exam. Leaving the assessment, for example, will stop your timer, and you'll need to wait a day to retake the exam from the beginning. Having key topics, terms, and examples available can help you feel confident and successful. Plus, writing notes allows your brain to recall information more easily [2].

Hydrate, sleep, and eat.

It may seem like common sense, but taking care of yourself is integral to exam success. Get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and keep a water bottle with you for hydration. These habits will all help you be at your best mentally and physically.

Pace yourself.

Don’t rush through the test. Read each question slowly, and pause before you answer so you don’t miss anything important or make any mistakes. Take the time to feel confident about your answers before moving on.

Getting started with Coursera

Earning a Google Ads certification will help you stand out as a job applicant. Several certification options are available in video, shopping ads, and applications, making finding a credential that aligns with your goals easy.

You can sharpen your skills and prepare for your Google Ads exam with online courses about marketing. On Coursera, you’ll find classes that can help you begin building skills, knowledge, and your marketing career. For example, the Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate can help you learn skills such as how to use marketing to gain customers and what it takes to build an e-commerce store.