Which Google Ads Certification Should I Start With?

Introduction

In today’s digital marketing world, Google Ads is an essential tool for businesses aiming to increase visibility, generate leads, and drive sales. But to harness the full potential of Google Ads, it's crucial to understand how to use the platform effectively. This is where Google Ads certifications come into play.

Google Ads certifications are designed to validate your knowledge and expertise in using Google Ads, covering everything from search ads to display ads, video campaigns, and more. While Google Ads certifications are not mandatory, they can significantly boost your credibility and give you an edge in the competitive digital marketing landscape.

For those new to Google Ads, however, choosing the right certification to start with can be overwhelming. With multiple certifications available, each focusing on different aspects of Google Ads, how do you know where to begin? In this guide, we’ll explore the different Google Ads certifications and help you determine which one is the best place to start based on your career goals, business needs, and personal interests.

What Are Google Ads Certifications?

Google Ads certifications are official credentials provided by Google through its Google Skillshop platform. These certifications validate your understanding of Google Ads features, tools, and best practices. While Google Ads certifications are not a requirement for running ads, they provide multiple benefits:

• Credibility: Certifications showcase your expertise.
• Career Growth: Certifications improve job opportunities and marketability.
• Improved Campaign Performance: They help you optimize campaigns for better results.

While all certifications are beneficial, choosing the right one to start with is key to building a strong foundation in Google Ads.

The Different Google Ads Certifications

Google Ads offers a range of certifications, each focusing on a different area of the platform. Here’s an overview of the available certifications:

1. Google Ads Search Certification

The Google Ads Search certification is the most commonly pursued and should likely be your starting point if you’re new to Google Ads. It focuses on search advertising, which is one of the most widely used forms of digital advertising. The certification covers:

• Understanding search marketing fundamentals
• Targeting the right keywords
• Writing compelling ad copy
• Managing bids and budgets
• Analyzing campaign performance

Since search ads are often the first step for many advertisers, this certification will help you master the basics of Google Ads and lay the foundation for running successful search campaigns.

2. Google Ads Display Certification

If you’re interested in expanding beyond search ads, the Google Ads Display certification is a great next step. This certification focuses on the Google Display Network (GDN), where ads are shown across millions of websites, apps, and videos. The certification includes:

• Creating image-based display ads
• Targeting audiences with display ads
• Optimizing display campaigns for better performance
• Leveraging creative formats (such as video and rich media)

The Google Ads Display certification is ideal for marketers who want to enhance brand visibility and engage audiences through visual ads.

3. Google Ads Video Certification

Video content is becoming increasingly popular, and YouTube is one of the largest platforms for video ads. The Google Ads Video certification is perfect for those looking to advertise using video. It covers:

• Creating video ad campaigns
• Choosing ad formats (skippable vs. non-skippable ads)
• Optimizing video campaigns for maximum engagement
• Measuring and analyzing video ad performance

If you plan to run video campaigns on YouTube or other platforms, this certification will help you master video ad strategies.

4. Google Ads Shopping Certification

For e-commerce businesses, the Google Ads Shopping certification is a valuable option. This certification is focused on promoting products on Google Search and the Google Shopping tab. It includes:

• Setting up and managing Shopping campaigns
• Optimizing product feeds for better visibility
• Analyzing Shopping campaign performance
• Boosting product sales through Google Ads

If you are running an online store, this certification will help you boost product sales by getting your products in front of the right audience.

5. Google Ads Apps Certification

The Google Ads Apps certification is perfect for marketers promoting mobile apps. It covers the process of running app promotion campaigns across Google Search, YouTube, and the Google Display Network. The certification focuses on:

• Running campaigns for app installs
• Optimizing app campaigns for engagement
• Tracking app performance metrics

With the rise of mobile app usage, this certification is a great choice if your focus is app promotion.

How to Choose the First Google Ads Certification

When deciding which Google Ads certification to start with, consider these key factors:

1. Your Focus Area:

• If you're looking to get started with Google Ads, the Search certification is the best option. It’s the most basic and widely applicable.
• If you want to expand your reach beyond search, consider the Display or Video certifications.
• For e-commerce businesses, the Shopping certification will be highly relevant.

2. Your Business or Career Needs:

• Are you working in a specific industry, such as e-commerce or mobile app marketing? Choose a certification that aligns with your career path or business goals.
• If you’re a beginner with no specific focus, starting with Google Ads Search gives you a broad foundation.

3. The Platform You Want to Focus On:

• If your goal is to run search campaigns, start with Google Ads Search.
• For businesses focused on branding, visual ads, and reaching broader audiences, Display or Video would be good next steps.

Why Start with Google Ads Search Certification?

Starting with the Google Ads Search certification is highly recommended for beginners because it lays the groundwork for your Google Ads journey. It focuses on the core functionality of Google Ads—search campaigns—which many businesses rely on for lead generation and sales.

Having a solid understanding of search ads also helps you better manage more advanced ad types in the future, like display and video. Additionally, the Google Ads Search certification is one of the most recognized and demanded certifications in the industry, making it a great first step toward building your digital marketing career.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Google Ads certification depends on your goals, business needs, and what kind of digital marketing you want to pursue. For beginners, the Google Ads Search certification is the best place to start, as it teaches the fundamentals of Google Ads. From there, you can move on to other certifications based on your interests and the type of ads you want to run—whether it's display ads, video content, e-commerce, or mobile apps.

By earning Google Ads certifications, you gain the knowledge, skills, and credibility necessary to run effective campaigns and excel in the competitive world of digital advertising.