A Google Ads Certification is an acknowledgment from Google that you have the proficiency needed to successfully use Google Ads to your advantage.
The majority of people who get Google Ads Certification are PPC or pay-per-click agencies that help their clients build, manage, and grow their AdWords campaigns.
So then, why would a business choose to get certified?
Many businesses in the Raleigh area have a dedicated marketing person on-staff whose job it is to manage their PPC campaigns. A Google Ads Certification helps ensure that they understand how to efficiently manage and grow the account.
We’re going to show you how you can easily get certified so that you’ll have the requisite skill set needed to use Google Ads and drive new traffic to your business.
If, after reading this article or taking the test, you realize it’s too complicated, or you just don’t have the time to get certified, reach out to AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh. Our expert paid search (SEM) marketers can take over the creation and management of your Google AdWords account.
What is Google Ads Certification?
The certification process consists of two online exams. They will ask you a series of beginner, intermediate, and expert questions about the Google AdWords platform. Upon successful completion, Google will award you with the certification and a badge that you can place in the footer of your website.
The exam itself consists of two parts. The primary one is the Ads Fundamentals Exam, and then you’ll get to select a secondary exam to take:
- Search Advertising
- Display Advertising
- Video Advertising
- Shopping Advertising
- Mobile Advertising
You’ll have 120 minutes to answer 100 questions for the Ads Fundamentals, Search Advertising, and Display Advertising exams. For the Video Advertising, Shopping Advertising, and Mobile Advertising parts, you’ll need to answer 70 questions within a 90-minute time period.
Once you start the exam, you cannot pause it. So make sure to block off enough time to take it. The lowest score to receive certification is 80% correct. If you happen to fail the exam, you can re-take it after seven days. This is so that you can have enough time to study the training materials.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to get started, head on over to Google Skillshop and sign up for a free account. It will provide you with the training that you need as you prepare to take the exam. Once logged in, look for the “EXPLORE COURSES TO GET STARTED” link and click it.
Once inside, you’ll see a series of boxes. Click on the “Google Ads” box.
On the next page, you’ll see six boxes. Click on the “Google Ads Search” box as shown below.
On the final page you’ll see two boxes:
- Google Ads Search Certification
- Learn the Fundamentals of Google Ads Search
If you think you’re ready to take the test and don’t need training, click on the “Google Ads Search Certification” box. Otherwise, click on the “Learn the Fundamentals of Google Ads Search” box as indicated by the red arrow in the above screenshot.
Before you can start the learning course, Google requires you to take a 2-minute test that will assess your current knowledge of the AdWords platform. Don’t worry, even if you get every single question wrong, it won’t affect the training course in any way. The main reason Google requires a pre-assessment test is for internal purposes—and to help improve the course as time goes by.
Once you’ve completed the assessment, it will redirect you to the E-Learning Assessment start page. Make sure you have some time blocked off and can devote your full concentration to taking the course and studying the materials.
Once you’ve completed the training and feel confident enough to take the actual certification exam, click on the “Google Ads Certification” button. Google requires you to take yet another pre-test that will determine if you’re ready to take the actual test.
This pre-test is called the “Knowledge Check Assessment test,” and Google will ask you a series of 21 questions about the Google Ads platform. You’ll need to score an 80% or higher before they allow you to take the primary Google Ads Certification test.
We wish you the best of luck!
PPC and Google AdWords Marketing Help in Raleigh
Google AdWords is a powerful advertising tool that can help drive new business. However, it’s very complicated, and people new to paid online advertising often find that they waste thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars as they try to self-teach themselves.
If you don’t have the time to get certified and would like an expert to help create, manage, and grow your AdWords account, give us a call. At AlphaGraphics of Raleigh, we’re much more than a print shop. We’re also marketing experts who you can count on to help you when it comes time to market your business.
To learn more about how AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh can help with your content graphic design and marketing needs, you may
email us,
request a quote or call us at
(919) 832-2828.