Best Google Ads Courses for Beginners

published on 24 October 2024

Want to learn Google Ads? Here's a quick breakdown of the top courses in 2024:

Course Cost Time Best For
Google Skillshop Free 3-4 hours Getting certified
Udemy Step-by-Step $14.99-29.99 90 min Quick learning
HubSpot Academy Free 4.5 hours Marketing basics
Coursera Certificate $49/month 15 hours Career changers
LinkedIn Learning $29.99/month 2.8 hours Networking

Bottom line: Start with Google Skillshop if you're new. It's free, official, and covers everything you need.

If You Want Pick This Why
Basic Training Google Skillshop Free + official cert
Career Switch Coursera Job placement help
Marketing Skills HubSpot Shows big picture
Quick Start Udemy Fast, practical lessons
Pro Network LinkedIn Connect while learning

What you'll learn in any good course:

  • Building campaigns from scratch
  • Writing ads that work
  • Managing your budget
  • Tracking results
  • Getting certified

Fun fact: U.S. advertisers pay $1.99 per click on average. That's why proper training matters - one wrong move can waste serious money.

Let's look at each course in detail.

Google Skillshop: Free Official Training

Google Skillshop

Google Skillshop replaced Academy for Ads as Google's main training platform. It won't cost you a penny, and you can learn whenever you want.

Feature Details
Cost Free
Format Self-paced online courses
Certification Duration 1 year
Retake Policy Wait 1 day after failing
Key Topics Search, Display, Video, Shopping Ads

Here's what you get:

  • Video lessons that walk you through each step
  • Hands-on exercises
  • Tests to check your knowledge
  • Final exams for certification

The platform now uses a new exam format. Instead of splitting things into "Fundamentals" and "Mobile", you'll take the "Google Ads – Measurement" exam. You'll see different question types: multiple-choice, matching, and multi-part questions.

Module What You'll Learn
Campaign Setup How to build accounts and target ads
Ad Creation Making text, display, and video ads
Measurement Setting up tracking and reports
Optimization Managing bids, budgets, and results

Want to make the most of it? Here's what works:

  • Start with the diagnostic test to find what you need to learn
  • Focus on one module at a time
  • Practice with sample questions
  • Save your certificate as soon as you pass

But here's the thing: Skillshop teaches you the theory, not the practice. You won't get to run actual campaigns. Even so, it's the best way to start learning Google Ads - it's free and Google-approved.

2. Paid Media Courses Directory: Curated Learning Path

Looking to master Google Ads? Here's a breakdown of the top courses you can take right now:

Course Level Course Name Duration Cost Certificate
Beginner Google Ads Search Free Certification 4 hours Free Yes
Beginner HubSpot Academy's Google Ads Course 2 hours Free No
Intermediate Google Ads Course (Isaac Rudansky) 24 hours $99 Yes
Beginner LinkedIn Learning Google Ads (Brad Batesole) 2-3 hours $29 Yes
Beginner PPC Fundamentals (Semrush) 5 hours Free Yes
All Levels Diploma in Google Ads (Alison) 15 hours Free Yes

Here's something interesting: 80% of businesses run Google Ads campaigns. And they're getting $2 back for every $1 they spend. That's why picking the right course is so important.

Let's look at what students think about these courses:

Metric Data
Total Enrollments 437,900+
Most Popular Course Isaac Rudansky (218K students)
Average Rating 4.6/5
Course Options 3 Free, 6 Paid

These courses cover four main areas:

  • Setting up your first campaign
  • Writing ads that convert
  • Managing your ad spend
  • Tracking what works (and what doesn't)

The directory stays up-to-date with Google's changes. So whether you've got 2 hours or 24 hours to learn, there's a course that fits.

"Getting certified doesn't just boost your skills - it helps you win clients and land jobs in online advertising." - Geri Mileva, Writer at Influencer Marketing Hub

Choose your course based on:

  • How much time you can spend
  • What you can afford
  • If you need a certificate
  • How you like to learn

3. HubSpot Academy: Marketing Platform Training

HubSpot Academy

HubSpot Academy's Google Ads course shows you how paid ads fit into your overall marketing plan. With 200,000+ users and a 4.5/5 rating from 121 G2 reviews, it's a top pick for marketers.

Course Details Information
Cost Free
Duration 2-3 hours
Certificate Yes
Languages English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish
Annual Certifications 60,000+

The course covers:

  • Building Google Ads campaigns
  • Managing contacts
  • Getting more leads
  • Using marketing automation
  • Measuring results
  • Making campaigns better

But here's what makes it DIFFERENT:

You won't just learn Google Ads by itself. You'll see how it works with:

Marketing Channel How It Works Together
Content Marketing Match ads with your content
Email Marketing Turn ad clicks into email subscribers
Social Media Run campaigns across channels
SEO Use the right keywords and landing pages

"HubSpot Academy is a free online resource where anyone - beginner or pro - can learn, get certified, and level up their skills." - Marc Gabriel A., Client Success Manager, Marketing and Advertising

Here's something cool: Northeastern University counts these certifications as credits for their master's programs in social media.

Learning Format What You Get
Video Lessons Quick, clear tutorials
Worksheets Hands-on practice
Quizzes Test what you learned
Final Exam Get certified
Transcripts Read along with videos

If you're starting with Google Ads and want to understand how it fits into marketing, this free course gives you everything you need.

4. Coursera: Google Ads Certificate Program

Coursera

The Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate on Coursera has a 4.8/5 rating from 28,126 users. Over 789,000 students have joined the program.

Program Details Information
Cost $49/month
Duration Self-paced
Certificate Yes
Experience Required No
Job Support Yes
Format 100% online

Want to test the waters first? There's a free 2-hour Google Ads starter course by Ishita Sinha:

Topic Focus
Search Ads Basics Setting up first campaigns
Campaign Creation Step-by-step setup process
Account Structure Organization and management
Initial Setup Getting started guide

Here's what you'll get in the full program:

Learning Component Description
Hands-on Projects Practice with real campaigns
Assessment Tests Check your knowledge
Multiple Content Areas Search, video, display, shopping ads
Skill Development Campaign optimization, measurement
Languages Available in 22 languages

Let's talk numbers - here's what graduates achieve:

Career Outcomes Statistics
Job Placement Rate 80% within 6 months
Starting Salary $50,000+ per year
Skills Gained Google Ads + Meta Ads certifications

What makes this program different?

  • It's built for beginners (zero experience needed)
  • Google keeps the cost low
  • You'll learn skills you can use right away
  • 80% of graduates land jobs within 6 months

The program uses video lessons, practice exercises, and knowledge checks. You set the pace - perfect if you're working or studying.

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5. Udemy: Step-by-Step Google Ads Guide

Udemy

Here's what you'll get from Udemy's most popular Google Ads course in 2024:

Course Details Information
Access Lifetime + future updates
Format Video lessons
Money-back 30-day guarantee
Experience Level No prior knowledge needed
Certificate Yes, downloadable
Updates Latest 2024 interface

The course shows you how to master these core areas:

Skills What You'll Learn
Campaign Setup Account structure, settings, networks
Targeting Locations, languages, schedules
Bidding Strategy selection, budget management
Keywords Research methods, selection tactics
Tracking Conversion setup, performance analysis

You'll get hands-on practice with these tools:

Practice Areas Tools Used
Keyword Research Keyword Planner, SEMRush
Ad Creation Live Google Ads interface
Campaign Building Step-by-step walkthroughs
Performance Tools Google Ads Formula Calculator
Resource Access Cheat sheets, templates

Here's what people who took the course say:

"I am a Google Ad professional. I am only 3 videos in and I've already learned new and useful tips." - Claire Jepsen

"I run google ads campaign for my business and I'm getting amazing conversions." - Stanislav Volevach

Your instructor is Joshua from ClickSlice, a UK-based SEO agency. He's a Google Premier Partner (top 3% worldwide) who breaks down complex concepts into simple steps.

Why this course stands out:

Feature Benefit
Question Support New videos based on student questions
Live Examples Work with actual Google Ads accounts
Latest Content Updated for 2024 interface changes
Practical Focus Learn by doing, not just theory

The course covers these ad types:

Topic Area Coverage
Search Ads Setup, optimization, management
Shopping Ads Product listing creation
Display Ads Visual campaign setup
YouTube Ads Video advertising basics
Discovery Ads New format implementation

6. LinkedIn Learning: Google Ads Basics

Here's what you'll get from LinkedIn Learning's Google Ads course in 2024:

Course Details Information
Duration 2 hours 47 minutes
Instructor Brad Batesole
Rating 4.8/5 from 2,643 ratings
Access Part of LinkedIn Premium ($29.99/month)
Format Short video modules
Level Beginner
Certificate Yes, adds to LinkedIn profile

The course focuses on 5 main areas:

Module What You'll Learn
PPC Basics How to set up your account and navigate the platform
Keywords Find and pick the right keywords
Ad Writing Create and test your ads
Campaign Setup Set budgets and target audiences
Optimization Track and improve performance

Here's what makes this course different:

Feature What It Does
Mobile App Watch lessons anywhere
Video Transcripts Read instead of watch
Progress Tracking Set weekly goals
Notes System Mark important points
Q&A Section Learn from other students

"Duane's breakdown of PPC ads coupled with his explanations covering terminology was very insightful and easy to grasp!" - Grace Hassell, Aspiring Marketing Manager

The course comes with these tools:

Tool Type How It Helps
Knowledge Checks Test what you've learned
Practice Files Try it yourself
Learning Paths Follow step-by-step guides
Mobile Sync Switch between devices
Resource Library Get extra materials

By the end, you'll know how to:

Skill Area What You'll Master
Traffic Generation Get more website visitors
ROI Analysis Measure your results
Ad Copy Write better ads
Campaign Types Run different ad formats
Budget Control Manage your spending

Course Comparison

Here's a clear breakdown of Google Ads courses in 2024:

Course Duration Cost Level Rating
Google Skillshop 3.7 hours Free Intermediate 4.7/5
Udemy Step-by-Step 90 minutes $14.99-29.99 Beginner 4.6/5
HubSpot Academy 4.5 hours Free Beginner 4.5/5
Coursera Certificate 15 hours $49/month All levels 4.7/5
LinkedIn Learning 2.8 hours $29.99/month Beginner 4.8/5

Each course serves different needs:

Course Main Focus Best For
Google Skillshop Platform mastery Getting certified
Udemy Quick setup Fast learning
HubSpot Marketing integration Brand builders
Coursera Deep learning Career changers
LinkedIn Networking Professionals

What you'll get with each course:

| Feature | Google Skillshop | Udemy | HubSpot | Coursera | LinkedIn | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Practice Files | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | Mobile App | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Progress Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Q&A Support | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | Certificate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

How long your certificate lasts:

Platform Valid For Renewal Needed
Google Skillshop 1 year Yes
HubSpot 2 years Yes
Coursera Lifetime No
LinkedIn Lifetime No
Udemy Lifetime No

What it costs:

Path Total Cost Time to Complete
Basic (Free) $0 4-6 weeks
Standard $50-100 2-3 weeks
Premium $200-300 1-2 weeks

"The Google Ads Search certification takes around 3-4 hours to complete and requires a score of 80% to pass", - Brad Geddes, Advanced Google Ads instructor

Success metrics:

Course Pass Rate Job Placement
Google Skillshop 75% Not tracked
Coursera 82% 65%
LinkedIn 85% 71%

Which Course Should You Choose?

Let's make picking your Google Ads course simple:

If You Want Go With Here's Why
Basic Training Google Skillshop Free, takes 3.7 hours, comes with official cert
Job Skills Coursera Certificate Deep dive into ads (15 hours), helps land jobs
Marketing Know-How HubSpot Academy Shows how ads fit with marketing, free, 4.5 hours
Pro Connections LinkedIn Learning Connect with other pros, finish in 2.8 hours
Low Cost Udemy Costs $14.99-29.99, quick 90-minute course

Here's what matters when picking:

Think About Look For
Time Can you spend 2-15 hours?
Learning Type Videos? Reading? Practice?
Help Needed Forums? Teacher help?
Certification How long is it good for?
Money What's your budget ($0-300)?

Just Starting Out? Google Skillshop is your best bet. It's free, self-paced, and covers the basics you need.

Want a New Career? Go with Coursera. You'll get:

  • A clear path to follow
  • Help finding work (65% get jobs)
  • A solid certificate

Running a Business? HubSpot Academy fits best. You'll learn:

  • How ads work with your marketing
  • Real campaign skills
  • Quality stuff (and it's free)

"8 out of 10 Climb Hire students land jobs within 6 months, starting at $50k" - Climb Hire Data

Check These Course Features:

Must-Have Why
Clear steps Know what to do next
Pro teachers Get solid info
Real practice Learn by doing
Fresh content Latest ad tricks
Help options Get unstuck fast

FAQs

What is the best course to learn Google Ads?

Here's what you need to know about the top Google Ads courses:

Course Type Best For Time Required
Google Skillshop Official certification 75 minutes per exam
Coursera Certificate Career advancement 15 hours
HubSpot Academy Marketing integration 4.5 hours
LinkedIn Learning Professional networking 2.8 hours
Udemy Quick learning 90 minutes

Want the BEST option for beginners? Go with Google Skillshop.

Here's why:

  • It's 100% free
  • It's the ONLY official certification
  • You get 6 different certifications (Search, Display, Video, Shopping, Apps, Measurement)
  • Each exam has 46-50 questions

Is a Google skillshop certificate worth it?

Short answer: YES.

Here's a breakdown of what you get:

Benefit Details
Cost 100% free
Duration 1-year validity
Job Market Required by many employers
Updates Latest Google Ads features
Official Status Google's ONLY certification platform

"Google Skillshop is the only official administrator of Google Ads certifications, so if you're looking to boost your business or agency's credibility and confidence, you'll likely want to get yourself and your team certified." - WordStream

What you should know:

  • You'll need to retake the exam every year
  • Employers LOVE seeing this certification
  • It proves you know your stuff
  • Makes your resume and LinkedIn profile stand out

Bottom line: If you're serious about Google Ads, get certified through Skillshop.

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