Want to master LinkedIn Ads? Here are the 5 best courses to get you started:
Course | Duration | Price | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
LinkedIn Marketing Labs | 45-60 mins | Free | Beginners |
Paid Media Track | 1h 14min | Monthly subscription | Mid-level marketers |
CXL LinkedIn Ads | 4-6 hours | $39-$999 | Advanced users |
Complete LinkedIn Ads Guide | 8-10 hours | Varies | All levels |
LinkedIn Ads Basics | 45-60 mins | Free | First-time advertisers |
Here's what you need to know:
- LinkedIn Ads work differently than other platforms:
- Higher costs ($5-12 per click vs $0.50-2.00 elsewhere)
- Better B2B lead quality
- 46% of social traffic to B2B sites
- These courses teach you:
- Campaign setup and management
- Audience targeting
- Budget optimization
- Performance tracking
- Ad creation
Quick comparison of key features:
Feature | Marketing Labs | Paid Media Track | CXL | Complete Guide | Basics |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Certification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Hands-on Practice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Updates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Start with LinkedIn Marketing Labs if you're new to the platform. Move to CXL or Paid Media Track once you've got the basics down.
Remember: LinkedIn Ads cost more but deliver better B2B results - these courses help you make every dollar count.
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LinkedIn Marketing Labs
LinkedIn Marketing Labs gives you free training and certifications from LinkedIn's own experts. Here's what you get:
Certification | Focus | Format |
---|---|---|
Marketing Solutions Fundamentals | Ad campaigns, targeting, reporting | 60 questions, 60 minutes |
Marketing Strategy | Full-funnel LinkedIn marketing | 60 questions, 60 minutes |
Content and Creative Design | Paid and organic content creation | 60 questions, 60 minutes |
Want to practice? Each course includes test runs before the real exam. Pass it, and you'll get a certificate to show off on your LinkedIn profile or add to your signature.
The program works in 9 languages:
- English
- French
- German
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Portuguese
- Spanish
- Traditional Chinese
- Simplified Chinese
What You'll Learn:
- Building LinkedIn ad campaigns
- Picking the right audience targets
- Reading campaign reports
- Planning marketing moves
- Making content that works
Here's How to Start:
- Set up your LinkedIn account
- Head to LinkedIn Marketing Labs
- Choose your certification
- Go through the materials
- Try the practice tests
- Take your exam
The program keeps track of what you've done and points you to other courses you might like. It's free, but don't let that fool you - you'll learn solid B2B marketing skills you can use right away.
Quick Tip: Don't just memorize answers. Focus on understanding how to use these skills in real campaigns. That's where the REAL value is.
2. LinkedIn Ads Track by Paid Media Courses
Here's what the LinkedIn Ads Track delivers in just 1 hour and 14 minutes:
Course Component | Details |
---|---|
Duration | 1h 14min |
Lessons | 11 modules |
Certificate Validity | 2 years |
Focus Areas | Campaign setup, targeting, optimization |
The course splits into three core parts:
Topic | What You'll Learn |
---|---|
Campaign Setup | - How to use LinkedIn Campaign Manager - Setting up your budget - Picking the right bid strategy |
Audience Targeting | - Finding your ideal audience - Breaking down audience segments - Setting up retargeting |
Performance Analysis | - Tracking what matters - Measuring your return - Making data-backed fixes |
Want your certificate? Here's what to do:
- Watch all 11 lessons
- Take the test
- Get certified
- Renew after 2 years
Here's who should take this course:
Level | What You Need |
---|---|
Beginner | - Marketing basics - LinkedIn account - Campaign Manager access |
Intermediate | - Some paid social experience - Budget know-how |
Advanced | - B2B lead gen knowledge - Data analysis skills |
You'll also get these hands-on tools:
- Campaign checklists
- Ad templates
- Performance trackers
- Budget planners
Plus: As LinkedIn updates its ad platform, you'll get fresh materials to keep your skills sharp during your certification.
3. CXL LinkedIn Ads Training
AJ Wilcox, who runs five of the top ten LinkedIn Ads accounts worldwide, teaches this focused 1-hour and 14-minute course. Here's what you get:
Course Component | Details |
---|---|
Duration | 1h 14min |
Lessons | 11 modules |
Instructor | AJ Wilcox |
Price | $299 per course or $127.54/month with membership |
Exam Requirements | 90% minimum score |
The course breaks down into three main areas:
1. Cost Management
You'll learn how to:
- Pick the best bidding methods that cost less
- Split your budget the right way
- Lower your cost per click
2. Targeting
The course shows you:
- How to pick the right audiences
- Ways to layer your targeting
- Steps to set up account-based marketing
3. Performance
You'll discover:
- What numbers to aim for in your industry
- How to track where leads come from
- Methods to measure your return on ad spend
Every student gets:
- Step-by-step guides for Google Tag Manager
- Sheets to track your performance
- Ready-to-use campaign templates
"AJ Wilcox and CXL packed this course with practical tips I use daily." - Sakash Agrawal, Digital Marketing Manager
Plus, you'll join a community that includes:
- A network of marketing professionals
- Access to job opportunities
- Latest platform updates
- Direct support from experts
The course comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee and never expires. CXL keeps the content fresh as LinkedIn adds new features.
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4. Complete LinkedIn Ads Guide
Here's what you'll learn in this hands-on LinkedIn advertising program:
Course Content
Module | Focus Areas |
---|---|
Basics | • Campaign Manager setup • Ad objectives • Budget planning |
Ad Types | • Sponsored Content • Message Ads • Dynamic Ads • Text Ads |
Advanced Topics | • Audience targeting • Bidding strategies • Performance tracking |
You'll master these key skills:
- Running campaigns in Campaign Manager
- Choosing effective ad formats
- Finding your target audience by job title and industry
- Measuring campaign success
Certification Process
Component | Details |
---|---|
Duration | 8-10 hours |
Format | Self-paced online learning |
Assessment | Multiple-choice exam |
Certificate | LinkedIn-verified digital badge |
What You Need to Start
Level | Prerequisites |
---|---|
Beginner | • Basic marketing knowledge • LinkedIn business account |
Intermediate | • Social media ads experience • Budget management skills |
Advanced | • Data analysis skills • B2B marketing experience |
The course features case studies from Zendesk and Medtronic, showing you exactly how these companies reach B2B decision-makers. You'll learn:
- How to manage costs (with typical CPCs of $5-6)
- Ways to build laser-focused campaigns
- Steps to create lead gen forms
- Methods to track conversions
"We use LinkedIn every day to drive business outcomes for the world's leading B2B brands. Our team's LinkedIn Marketing labs certifications show that we're experts in using LinkedIn's robust data and tools." - Brian Jones, EVP, Integrated Strategy at Just Global, Inc.
Each lesson combines theory with real campaign examples - including what worked AND what flopped. You'll get practical tips you can use in your next campaign.
5. LinkedIn Ads Basics
Here's what you'll learn in this LinkedIn Ads course:
Course Content
Module | Topics Covered |
---|---|
Introduction | • Why use LinkedIn Ads • Setting up LinkedIn Page • Campaign Manager basics |
Campaign Setup | • Budget planning • Audience targeting • Ad scheduling |
Ad Creation | • Ad formats • Content best practices • Campaign tracking |
Certification Process
Component | Details |
---|---|
Duration | 45-60 minutes |
Format | Online videos and exercises |
Assessment | Pre-course test (optional) End-of-course review |
Support | Live help for questions |
Required Skills
Level | Skills Needed |
---|---|
Technical | • Basic computer skills • Social media familiarity |
Marketing | • Basic marketing concepts • Content writing skills |
Business | • LinkedIn business account • Budget management |
This is a hands-on course. You'll jump right into LinkedIn's Campaign Manager and start building REAL campaigns.
What you'll master:
- How to set (and stick to) your ad budgets
- Ways to find your perfect audience using job titles
- Tips to create ads people actually click
- Methods to measure your campaign success
The HubSpot Academy version packs everything into 32 minutes of video content across 3 sections. Perfect for business owners and marketers who want to start running LinkedIn Ads.
You'll get:
- Step-by-step video guides
- Practice files to download
- Knowledge-testing quizzes
-
Clear instructions for:
- Setting up tracking
- Building your first campaign
- Choosing who sees your ads
- Understanding your results
Need help? You're not alone. Get support when you're stuck and connect with other students. Plus, the course stays current with LinkedIn's newest features.
Course Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the top LinkedIn Ads courses:
Core Features & Pricing
Course | Duration | Price | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|
LinkedIn Marketing Labs | 45-60 mins | Free | • Official LinkedIn certification • Basic to intermediate content • Self-paced learning |
Paid Media Courses Track | 1h 14 mins | Monthly/Annual plans (40% off annual) | • 11 advanced lessons • Performance analysis focus • Employer-recognized certificate |
CXL LinkedIn Ads | 4-6 hours | $39-$999 | • Advanced targeting tactics • Bid optimization strategies • Campaign analysis tools |
AJ Wilcox Courses | Varies | $79/month | • Weekly group coaching • Community access • Live ad account audits |
Who Should Take Each Course?
Course | Perfect For | Level |
---|---|---|
LinkedIn Marketing Labs | • Small business owners • First-time advertisers |
Beginner |
Paid Media Courses Track | • B2B marketers • Campaign managers |
Intermediate |
CXL LinkedIn Ads | • Marketing pros • Ad budget managers |
Advanced |
AJ Wilcox Courses | • In-house teams • Agency staff |
All levels |
What You'll Learn
Course | Main Skills |
---|---|
LinkedIn Marketing Labs | • Campaign setup • Basic targeting • Ad formats |
Paid Media Courses Track | • Advanced bidding • Performance tracking • Budget control |
CXL LinkedIn Ads | • Lead gen funnels • Retargeting methods • Data analysis |
AJ Wilcox Courses | • Pro targeting • Account setup • Cost control |
Here's what students say:
"I was LOST with LinkedIn Ads until I took this course. Now our online presence is growing and our conversion rates are up." - David C., Entrepreneur
"This course helped me target decision-makers like never before. My B2B sales have taken off." - Eric B., B2B Sales Pro
The Real Cost
LinkedIn ads start at $10/day, but pros suggest $25/day for testing. Know these numbers:
- CPC: $5-$6
- CPM: $30-$35
- CPS: $0.50-$1
Add these costs to your course investment when planning your LinkedIn Ads budget.
Next Steps
Here's how to start with LinkedIn Ads:
Pick Your Path
Level | Start Here | Then Do This |
---|---|---|
New to Ads | LinkedIn Marketing Labs | Paid Media Track |
Some Experience | Paid Media Track | CXL LinkedIn Ads |
Pro Level | CXL LinkedIn Ads | AJ Wilcox Program |
First Steps
- Set up Campaign Manager: Create your account
- Add Insight Tag: Install on your website
- Connect LinkedIn Page: Link to ad account
- Budget: Start with $25/day minimum
Must-Do Setup
Task | Why Do It |
---|---|
Conversion Tracking | See ROI from start |
Manual Bidding | Control your spend |
Location Targeting | Use "Permanent" only |
Audience Expansion | OFF during testing |
"LinkedIn Ads cost more than other platforms. Start with automated bidding until you know what you're doing." - AJ Wilcox, B2Linked founder
Watch These Numbers
What to Track | Good Results Look Like |
---|---|
Click-through Rate | 2-3% |
Cost per Click | $5-6 |
Cost per 1000 Impressions | $30-35 |
Social Impressions | Check weekly |