Google Ads is an indispensable tool for marketers, small business owners, and ad managers everywhere. It’s an all-in-one space that enables marketers to track their ad campaigns, user data, and engagement. Because of Google Ads’ importance to the world of digital marketing, it’s important to educate your marketers, ad managers, and even yourself on how to use it.
Though it may seem confusing at first, there are actually Google Ads courses and training programs that will enable you to not only learn about how Google Ads works but also how to optimize it for your own needs.
What to Look For in Selecting Google Ads Courses and Training
Choosing the right Google Ads Course can be challenging. There are so many courses and training options out there! Which sources do you trust? Which guides do you rely on? How can you make sure that you’re not wasting time trying different Courses until one works? Though these are common questions when getting started with Google Ads, it’s important to keep some things in mind before taking the plunge.
Before starting a Google Ads course, you should look into whether or not they have information on
- A detailed overview explaining how Google Ads works
- How to add keyword groups and why they’re important
- How to set up a PPC advertising campaign
- The best campaign for individual company needs
- How to structure your account so as to maximize profit
Remember to do your research! Make sure these Google Ads courses and training modules are made by industry professionals. Doing your due diligence here can save you time and money. Besides, learning the industry tips and tricks from expert sources can elevate your learning experience and will help your brand better than courses made by amateurs. It’s important to look for these specific qualities because these marketers will have further knowledge on how to leverage Google Ads as part of an ad strategy, making your campaign just as good, if not better than industry experts.
By keeping these things in mind before committing to a Google Ads course, you’ll be much better prepared when it’s time to choose a course, especially if the course you have your eye on is something you have to pay for. Free ad courses do exist, and whatever option you choose, make sure to make an informed decision regarding what course you use so that you don’t waste your time or your money.
The Best Google Ads Courses and Training on the Market
Some free Google Ads courses and training options aren’t worth the time, and some expensive courses aren’t worth the money. Remember: prices don’t necessarily indicate quality. Some free ad courses can be just as good, if not better, than the Google Ads courses you’ll pay for. Of course, the opposite is also true. It’s important to choose a course that will help you get accreditation in the industry so that you can boost your credibility as a leader in the Google Ads space, and it’s a great thing to add to your professional resume!
Free Google Ads Courses and Training
Who doesn’t like free things? We do! And you probably do too. So without further ado, here are the best Free Google Ads Courses in no particular order.
Google Skillshop
Google Skillshop is a great way to learn about Google Ads, straight from Google itself! What better way to learn than from the experts themselves? Not only is this course free with a Google Account, but there are so many amazing things to learn.
Content:
You can get certified in Search, Display, Video, Shopping Ads, Apps, Measurement, and even all of the above. Prove that you’re one of the best and expand your skillset. It’s also a great way to apply your Google Ads knowledge – you can practice setting up and managing your ad campaigns. This is a great way to plan for future campaigns in a way that will optimize them without starting a campaign completely blind.
You can also learn how Google Ads campaigns and searches work. Having insight into how Google works as a search engine can only make your ads better suited to landing on the first page of Google.
Duration: As long as it takes! There’s no set time commitment.
Target: Beginners. Skillshop is also tailored to your specific expertise – you’ll learn based on your personal needs. You won’t spend time on things that don’t help you. Google Skillshop is tailored to beginners, which means it’s perfect for marketers who are just starting out. Plus, it’s a good way for experienced ad managers to brush up on their skills as this essential information is presented in a format that is suitable for every skill level.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
We’ll give Google Skillshop a 7.5/10. This is a great course for beginners and for more experienced marketers who want to brush up their skills. However, it’s not one hundred percent comprehensive – you’ll learn the basics, but not much else. However, the course is really well-rounded as it covers all the bases that you need to know for Google Ads, but it’s probably not the best resource for those with lots of experience.
Google Ads Tutorials
Content:
Google Ads Tutorials has hours of free videos that are not only short but comprehensive as well. These tutorials are actually made by the same people who created Google Ads, so you know you’re getting some of the best education out there. Because these videos are so short, you’ll get the important information in an easy-to-digest format that gets straight to the point.
Google Ads Tutorials also features a walkthrough, so you can learn by watching and by doing. Because these tutorials are guided, you’ll feel more comfortable using all of Google Ads’ features. Plus, the animated illustrations will keep your attention without being distracting.
Duration: Over two hours of content, but you can go at your own pace.
Target: This is a great way to brush up on your skills if you’re a seasoned veteran, and it’s a good place to start for beginners. It’s also a great resource to use when studying for the Skillship assessment so that you can get Google Ads Certified.
Rating: 6/10
Though this is a great free resource, it’s not as detailed or comprehensive as we would like. However, it is made by the same people who created Google Ads, so you’ll get the benefit of inside knowledge. The videos are also really short – they’re a good way to focus on particular areas so you can brush up on your weaknesses, but having over 40 videos can be overwhelming. Still, it’s a great resource if you’re just starting out.
Paid Google Ads Courses & Training Options
Looking for a paid Google Ads course? There are some options worth considering out there (but first, do make sure to check out the free options above as well, as they might provide you with the same level of in-depth learning and proper information organizations).
Advanced Google Ads Training on Udemy
Content:
This course is module-based, concise, and a free E-book is included that you can reference at any time, even once you complete the course.
With this course, you’ll get six hours of videos that detail Google Ads tips and tricks, downloadable resources, full lifetime access once you finish the course, access to this course on mobile and the web, and a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
This creator also offers a free Google Sheets template that helps to automate budget tracking for multiple accounts, which is a great way to keep track of your ROI.
The modules featured in this course are meant to be done in any order – you can choose a module or technique that is useful to you at any particular time. You can also learn about it and apply it to your own practice at your own pace. These modules have also been chosen for their practicality and usefulness, so you can brush up on skills that need some more attention.
Duration: Six hours, but you can break it up however you like. It’s still all on your own terms, which makes it great for those with busy schedules.
Target: Those who already have a basic knowledge of Google Ads but still want to get more out of the platform.
Price: This course is a comprehensive, hands-on Google Ads Training Course that is available for $30, though from the website, there’s constant deals going on. Check back to see if there’s any special offers that apply to you.
Rating: 8.5/10
This is a great resource at a great price point. There are a lot of resources that you can use to help you, and the content is comprehensive enough to justify a $30 price. The website also features discounts, which is great for those on a budget. However, this course doesn’t really help beginners – it’s expected that you already have some knowledge of Google Ads and therefore it will be hard for beginners to catch up. Still, if you’re experienced or if you want to challenge yourself, Advanced Google Ads Training might be the way to go.
The Complete Google Ads Masterclass on Udemy
Content: Along with the videos, there’s also three articles you can read, three downloadable resources that you can use at any time, lifetime access for when you want to review your skills, access to the Masterclass on the web and the app, and a certificate of completion once you finish.
You will learn about how to determine the value of your ad campaigns and how to maximize them, conversion tracking, and other skills that every beginner needs to know! By the end of this course, the creator boasts that not only will you sharpen your skills, but you’ll be able to be an expert in the Google Ads space, even to the point of freelancing and getting hired as a Google Ads expert.
Duration: This Masterclass features 16 hours of on-demand videos that focus on driving traffic to your website or clicks on your ads.
Target: This is a great course for beginners in the industry – no prior knowledge is necessary.
Price: The Complete Google Ads Masterclass is available for $40, but there seem to be several discounts for beginners. Keep checking back for discounts, which can be as steep as 83% off!
Rating: 6.5/10
We gave this a 6.5/10 because $45 is a lot of money for three articles, a masterclass, and a certificate. Other paid training courses give you more resources, some of which tailor better to your individual learning style. Though this is a great way for beginners to start their Google Ads journey, 16 hours seems like too much of an investment, especially when the workweek is 40 hours. Just because something takes longer doesn’t mean it’s good (or at least not always).
Regardless if you plan to pay for your (or your team’s) Google Ads courses and training or if you don’t want to shell out the money, a Google Ads Course is an essential need-to-know for marketers, small business owners, and even beginners who want to learn a new skill. There are plenty of courses that are tailored for your specific skill level, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert. Just make sure to do your research and choose courses that will give you accreditation and are made by industry experts – you’ll want to learn from the best, after all.
