Start with Search
People who hold several Google Ads certifications suggest starting with Search, then Display and Measurement.
Google Ads Certifications Exam Guide
Validates knowledge of building, targeting, bidding and measuring Google Ads campaigns across Search, Display, Video and Shopping.
Each Google Ads certification tests one product area: how its campaigns are set up, targeted, bid and measured, using Google's recommended features. Choose the area that matches your work, go through its free Skillshop lessons with a Google Ads account open if you have one, and take the assessment. Questions follow Google's own recommendations, such as Smart Bidding and Performance Max.
Understand the exam
Syllabus
Each row is a separate Google Ads certification with its own lessons and assessment.
Google Ads Search
- Translate a vision for online marketing into a coherent digital marketing strategy
- Develop a Google Search strategy with wider company marketing plans
- Generate a plan to increase leads, sales or web traffic using Google Search
- Ensure your Search marketing plan is aligned with your digital marketing budget
Example scenario: A local plumber wants calls from people searching nearby but has a small budget. Which keyword match types, ad assets and bid strategy would you start with?
Google Ads Display
- Translate a vision for online marketing into a coherent digital marketing strategy
- Develop a Google Display strategy with wider company marketing plans
- Generate a plan to increase awareness, consideration, action and retention using Google Display
- Develop a plan to reach new and existing customers with Google Display Audiences
- Ensure Display marketing plan is in alignment with digital marketing budget
Example scenario: A shop wants to bring back people who visited its website but did not buy. Which audience and creative would you use?
Google Ads Video
- Understand why YouTube is a powerful platform for users, creators, and advertisers aiming to achieve awareness, consideration, and action goals
- Explain how to increase awareness, grow consideration, and drive action with YouTube and Google Video advertising solutions
- Summarize how to make effective video ads tailored to any marketing objective based on Google's creative guidance
Example scenario: A brand launching a new product wants as many people as possible to see a 15-second video this month. Which campaign goal and format fit?
AI-powered Shopping ads
- Explain the basics of a growing retail business with Google
- Explain how Shopping ads work
- Articulate the importance of policy in the Shopping Ads ecosystem
- Identify core components of Google Shopping policy
- Describe how Merchant Center and a product feed support your shopping strategy
- Choose the appropriate campaign type for your marketing objectives
- Learn how Performance Max for Retail can help you reach more consumers
Example scenario: An online shop's best-selling products stop showing in Shopping ads. What would you check in Merchant Center first?
Google Ads Apps
- Explain how App campaigns drive marketing success by enabling user discovery and engagement
- Create an App campaign to meet a specific marketing goal
- Elevate the performance of an App campaign with advanced strategies for campaign, creative and measurement excellence
- Enhance app quality and discoverability
Example scenario: A game studio wants more players who reach level 5, not just installs. How would you set up the campaign goal?
Google Ads Measurement
- Translate your marketing objectives into measurable actions
- Set up tracking to effectively measure sales, app downloads/installs and/or leads
- Understand how to analyse and act on insights from your conversion tracking data
- Choose the right attribution model for your business goals
Example scenario: Conversions dropped after the website was rebuilt, but sales did not. What would you check first?
Google Ads Creative
- Make effective ad creative for Video, Display, App, and Search campaigns based on Google's research-backed guidance
- Use Google's tools and resources throughout the creative life cycle
- Boost creative performance with experimentation
Example scenario: Two versions of a product video get similar views, but one drives more sign-ups. How would you test which creative to keep?
AI-powered Performance Ads
- Describe the importance of AI throughout Google Ads campaigns
- Prepare an AI automation strategy that aligns to your business goals
- Identify the benefits of using cross-channel AI-powered campaigns and tools
- Explain the importance of adopting an agile mindset, and adopt flexible budgets to respond to demand and drive real business outcomes
- Use Google Ads reporting and insights to bring transparency to Google's AI
Example scenario: A retailer wants one campaign to reach shoppers on Search, YouTube and Display. Which inputs would you give Google's AI to work with?
Format
- Duration
- 75 min
- Passing score
- 80%
- Delivery
- Online
- Languages
- English, Czech, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese
Question types
Multiple choice. Choose the best answer from the options given; each certification is a timed online assessment.
CertUp example
An online store wants more sales from people who already visited its site. Which Google Ads approach fits best?
Show answer
B. Remarketing reaches people who already showed interest, so it is the most direct way to win back sales.
Eligibility and booking
Sign in to Skillshop with a Google account, open the product area you want and start the assessment when you are ready. There is nothing to book.
Make a study plan
Pick one product area, go through its free lessons, then take the assessment. Repeat for each area you need.
Most candidates spend 2–8 hours. Plan for the low end if you already run this campaign type every week; allow more time if the product area is new to you.
- 1Understand the examRead the syllabus and format, check you’re eligible and pick a target date.0 h
- 3Learn the core conceptsWork through one main course or book, topic by topic.3 h
- 4Practice with mock examsTake timed practice tests and review every mistake.1 h
- 5Prepare for exam dayBook the exam and check the ID and delivery rules.0 h
Learn the core concepts
The free Skillshop lessons for each product area cover what its assessment tests. Add a video course if you want broader campaign training.
See all 2 Google Ads Certifications courses →Answer the Google way Experienced advertisers note that the assessments favour Google's automated features such as Smart Bidding, broad match and Performance Max. Answer as the lessons teach.
Practice with mock exams
You can retake a failed assessment after 24 hours, so many people simply sit it. For a rehearsal, use practice questions and check each wrong answer against the lessons.
Google Ads certification learning paths
Google Ads practice questions
The Complete Google Ads Course (with 4 practice tests)Are you ready?
- You can explain which bid strategy fits a given campaign goal
- You know Google's recommended setup for the product area you are taking
Prepare for exam day
Each assessment runs in your browser through Skillshop.
- Set aside 75 minutes in one sitting; you cannot pause the assessment once you start
- You need 80% to pass, and your result appears right away
- If you fail, you can retake that assessment after 24 hours
- Your certificate appears in your Skillshop profile and on your Google Ads manager account if it is linked
Advice from exam takers
Expect Google's preferred answers
Experienced advertisers say many questions push Smart Bidding, broad match and automated features more than neutral PPC practice. Learn what Google recommends, even if you work differently.