Abirami Dharmalingam
September 19, 2025
Google Ads certification is one of the most effective ways to prove your expertise in the Google Ads platform. With the right skills, you can drive traffic and generate high-quality leads to your client’s website. Studies show that for every $1 businesses spend on Google Ads, they earn an average of $2 in profit – clear proof of high return on investment (ROI).
If you earn a Google certification, you can gain knowledge and add credibility to your resume. Think of it as a badge that proves your skills and builds trust with your clients. Moreover, the digital ad spend is expected to reach $870.85 billion by 2027, so the demand for certified professionals is only going to grow.
If you want to know how to get certified, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll cover everything about Google Ads certification, what it is, why it is important, things to remember, and the exact steps to get certified.
Google Ads certification is an official credential offered by Google to individuals who prove their skills and pass the Google certification exam. It shows you can confidently create, manage, and optimize ad campaigns on Google Ads.
Through these free training modules, you’ll learn the ins and outs of creating campaigns, measuring performance, and optimizing for better results.
There are currently nine Google certifications available in 22 different languages, including:
You can access all these certification exams on Google Skillshop.
Each Google certification is composed of study, a knowledge check, and an assessment to earn Google Ads certification for a particular ad campaign. To pass each assessment, you need to score at least 80%, the only exception is the Google Ads Apps assessment, which requires a minimum score of 70%.
While exploring digital marketing careers, certification is crucial to understand how they broke into the industry. And when it comes to certification, Google Ads certification is at the top of the list.
Many employers actively search for candidates with this certification on LinkedIn and job portals. In fact, hiring managers often use LinkedIn’s search filters to find “Google Ads certified” professionals because they want experienced and professional certified employees for paid advertising.
Moreover, you’ll have tons of benefits if you get certified in 2025.
In some marketing roles, a Google Ads certification is a requirement. In many cases, HR adds this keyword to filter out applications, and hiring managers view it as a way to test a candidate’s commitment. So, having the certification on your resume makes you immediately more attractive to recruiters.
Many professional credentials require hundreds (or thousands) of dollars, but Google Ads certification is completely free through Google Skillshop. It is not difficult to pass once you go through the training modules. Without any experience in paid ads, beginners can also try this out to demonstrate their seriousness about learning digital advertising.
One of the biggest challenges for beginners is the need for years of experience – you require experience to secure a job, but you need a job to gain that experience. While the Google certification can’t give you experience managing real campaigns, the learning process helps you learn strategies in paid advertising campaigns.
Within the PPC community, many seasoned marketers know that results matter more than badges. But for clients outside the industry, a Google Ads certification looks impressive. Seeing “Certified by Google” on your profile immediately builds trust and signals credibility, even if it doesn’t fully measure your day-to-day skills.
Firstly, you need a Google account to use Skillshop. If you don’t have one, create it. If you have an existing Google account, follow these steps to earn your certifications.
Here are four important details every individual should keep in mind:
The study modules can take several hours to work through, and the exam itself includes 40 - 50 questions with a 75-minute time limit. While you may complete everything quickly, give yourself enough time to study thoroughly and go through each question carefully.
If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you only need to wait 24 hours before trying again. While Google doesn’t tell you which questions you missed, you can use that break to revisit your notes, re-watch certain training modules, and strengthen your weak spots. Remember, once you start an exam, you can’t pause it.
Google Ads exams usually require an 80% score to earn certification. The only exception is the Google Ads Apps exam, which requires 70%. This higher benchmark may feel intimidating, but it also ensures that certified marketers truly understand the platform.
Today, the evolution of technology and marketing evolves faster than you think. That’s why your certification is only valid for 12 months. After that, you’ll need to recertify to keep your badge. While this might sound inconvenient, it makes you stay up-to-date with the latest features, best practices, and strategies. Each year, the Google Ads training materials get updated to refresh your skills.
Our answer? Yes, getting certified can help if you’re just starting, applying for jobs, or looking to build credibility with clients. But a Google certification alone won’t make you proficient at running Google Ads campaigns. True expertise comes from hands-on experience. These are skills you won’t fully get from a multiple-choice exam.
If you’re curious about Google Ads, we’re here to help you learn Google Ads and other digital marketing fields with our full-stack digital marketing course. Our mentors will guide you, and you can also gain hands-on experience in related marketing.
We’ll teach you what you need to know – the strategies you need. So rather than just teaching you what each button means, we show you how to think strategically about campaigns, optimize for ROI, and apply proven frameworks to deliver results.
If you have any doubts related to this course, you can call (we’re available 24/7) or visit our NB Marketing Solutions to know about the full course details and book your seats today!
1. Is the Google Ads certification free?
Yes, all Google Ads certifications are available for free through Google Skillshop. You only need a Google account to sign up and start learning the Google Ads course.
2. How long does it take to get certified in Google Ads?
On average, it can take a few hours or a couple of weeks, depending on how much time you spend on your studies. Moreover, the exams are typically 75 minutes long.
3. Is Google Ads certification worth it?
Yes, if you want to boost your digital marketing portfolio or resume. It adds credibility and helps you stand out to recruiters and clients.
4. How difficult is the Google Ads exam?
The exams are extremely difficult. You’ll need at least an 80% score to pass all exams except the Google Ads App exam.
5. How long is the Google certification valid?
Your certification is valid for only one year. After that, you’ll need to retake the exam to keep your certification status updated.