So, you want to get certified? That’s great, having certifications is always a great way to set yourself apart from your competition. It’s also a good way to get your advancing in your current career path.
The thing is, there are a lot of digital marketing certification programs out there. So, what are the best digital marketing certifications to receive? Let me help. To come up with the list of digital marketing certifications below, I found digital marketing certifications that are free, useful, sometimes both!
Here are my top picks for the best digital marketing certifications to boost your skills in 2023.
Table of Contents
1. Google Analytics Certification
When it comes to the biggest name in the search engine game, it remains Google. Fortunately, Google offers a lot of cool resources that any new or experienced digital marketer can get a lot of use from.
One of Google’s main digital marketing tools is Google Analytics. This app, program, or whatever you want to call it, monitors and tracks the performance of your website. With Google Analytics, you can find out:
- How many visitors your website gets
- Where your visitors come from
- Who your target audience is
- And much more
With that in mind, you’ll be glad to know that Google Analytics offers one of the best digital marketing certifications. To receive your Google Analytics Certification, you’ll first need to take and pass this company’s exam. The exam is free to take. If you fail this exam, you’ll be able to take it again after a one week waiting period.
If you’re not familiar with digital marketing, this course and its content can seem a little confusing at first. However, I encourage you to push on and take these free courses. Those who do take these courses and receive this digital marketing certificate from Google come out much stronger digital marketers.
The courses you’ll take to become Google Analytics certified cover a variety of topics, including how to set up a tracking code, understanding the data that this program presents, and there’s even an introduction on how to use Google Data Studio.
Becoming Google Analytics certified is something that many employers will like seeing. It also looks great on your resume or LinkedIn page.
2. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
As you can probably tell by the name of this website, I like content marketing. You might say, it’s my life. Anyway, even I know that the biggest name in content marketing remains HubSpot. Fortunately, they don’t mind teaching others how to take over search engine rankings as they’ve done in the past decade.
One way you can sharpen your skills is by receiving one of the best digital marketing certifications from Hubspot.
In 2022 and beyond, quality content is one of the most important things for a website to have. Anyone can create content, but only the “best” content stands a chance in the eyes of Google. Unfortunately, creating quality content is an area where I see a lot of marketers crash and burn.
If your content is lacking or you want to sharpen your content marketing skills, I recommend learning about this subject through HubSpot’s digital marketing certification program. This free (yes, free) course features eight hours of information, divided up into 14 separate lessons.
You’ll learn about how to create a content marketing strategy, inbound marketing tips, search engine optimization (SEO), and much more.
Since HubSpot knows so much about digital marketing, you can rest assured that you’ll learn a lot in this course. With over six hours of content marketing lessons and tips, you’ll be amazed that HubSpot gives out some of the best digital marketing certifications for free.
3. Google Ads Certification
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. I’ve got Google in this list once again because of its Ads certification program. If you or your clients do any kind of paid SEO, besides learning about Google Analytics, understanding Google Ads is super important.
Even if you’re not familiar with or eager to try paid SEO, learning about Google Ads is still an incredibly wise thing to do. I often use this tool to gain more information about search terms, CPCs, and estimated search volumes.
There are actually six of the best digital marketing certifications you can get by learning about Google Ads. Let’s take a quick look at each of them.
Search Certification
There’s no doubt that search engine optimization (SEO) remains one of the most effective types of digital marketing.
If you want to strengthen your search engine marketing skills, it’s worth checking out Google’s Search Certification program.
In this course, you’ll learn how to build and optimize search campaigns within Google. You’ll find out how to use Smart Bidding and various audience tools to launch amazing marketing campaigns.
Display Certification
Another popular course to check out is the Google Ads Display Certificate program. In this course, you’ll learn just about everything there is to know about display advertising.
Find out how to turn a vision into a digital marketing strategy and measure its results. If your online marketing skills need sharpening, you’ll want to take this free course.
Video Certification
In recent years, many companies are expanding their online marketing efforts into the realm of video. And it’s easy to see why.
Your company no longer needs a video production firm or huge budget to start making and posting online videos.
If you want to have great videos in your company’s integrated digital marketing plan, check out the Google Ads Video Certification.
In this online marketing course, you’ll learn about how to get better results from your video marketing campaigns. You’ll also find out tips for creating amazing video ads that convert, making this program one of the best digital marketing certifications.
Shopping Ads Certification
Ever type a product into a Google search and see those pictures at the top of your results with star ratings and prices? Those are Google’s Shopping ads.
If your company sells products, it’s a good idea to learn more about how to create engaging Google Shopping advertisements.
By taking the courses required to receive this digital marketing certification, you’ll learn:
- How to grow an online retail business
- Create ads that help you reach more people
- Use automated bidding to optimize how you work
- Track and measure your results
If you want to learn about one of the latest and greatest digital marketing strategies, this free course might be for you.
Apps Certification
Do you want to learn more about how to market through apps? If so, you might want to learn about one of the best digital marketing certificates called the Google Ads App certification.
This online marketing course will show how to create and manage ad campaigns within Google Apps. If you want to jump into advertising with apps, don’t miss this online marketing course.
Measurement Certification
It’s hard to gain a complete understanding of any digital marketing program without understanding how to track your results. That’s where the Google Ads Measurement certification enters the picture.
This digital marketing certification program helps you understand how to measure the metrics of your ad campaigns. Plus, you’ll learn tips and tricks to optimize your digital marketing strategies for maximum effectiveness.
4. YouTube Certification
Another important pillar in content marketing is doing this on YouTube. This video-sharing website’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it’s the second-largest search engine in terms of popularity (only behind Google).
With that said, YouTube isn’t the easiest thing to figure out. If you’re watching YouTube videos by popular creators and wondering how they do it, consider earning a Youtube Certification. YouTube offers a program that had to be on this list. It offers one of the best digital marketing certifications for video-based creators. You’ll learn how to:
- Start a YouTube channel
- Grow your channel
- Optimize your videos
- Remain advertiser-friendly
If you’re at all confused about how to get started with making and advertising videos, this digital marketing certification is for you.
5. Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification
If you’re like me, it seems like there’s a new trending social media app each month. This situation can make it confusing to try and keep up with the world of social media marketing. Fortunately, Hootsuite has amazing social media marketing training.
By joining Hootsuite’s Social Media Marketing program, you’ll get access to six separate courses. You’ll learn the basics of social media, how to set up a great-looking page, and interacting with your followers. This program also dedicates an entire course towards setting up a social media strategy.
As you continue in this program, you’ll learn more intermediate and advanced marketing topics. One of my favorite courses in this program involved learning how to succeed with paid ads on social media platforms.
The one drawback, at least when compared to some of the other best digital marketing certifications, is that Hootsuite’s certification isn’t cheap. You’ll need to pay a total of $199 to access Hootsuite’s courses to take the test for your certificate.
If you want your company to crush it on social media platforms, and you have $199, I’d definitely recommend taking Hootsuite’s courses.
6. Meta Blueprint Certification
Speaking of social media, it’s tough to find a company in this realm more popular than Meta. Considering how much this company knows about social media, it’s understandable for this business to have its own digital marketing certifications.
Formerly known as Facebook Blueprint, Meta Blueprint. Considering that this training is from Meta, it’s all about how to do well on Meta’s social media platform.
The digital marketing courses in this program (formerly Facebook Blueprint) will teach you how to create posts on Meta, engaging with audiences, and many other social media marketing skills. There’s even courses about coming up with inspiration for content, something every digital marketing specialist can struggle with.
Since Meta owns Instagram, you’ll also learn lots of digital marketing skills to apply to both social media platforms. Whether you want to get better at social media or digital marketing in general, I’m confident you’ll walk away from Meta’s best digital marketing certification training with new information.
7. Content Marketing Institute University
When a company names itself Content Marketing Institute, chances are, it knows a thing or two about online marketing. If you need help learning digital marketing, it could be time to enroll in CMI University.
Otherwise known as Content Marketing University, this program can help you become an online marketing certified professional. You’ll learn all about digital marketing and how to use content to your company’s advantage.
This pick for one of the best digital marketing certifications also teaches you about how to effectively market your business on social media, mobile marketing, web analytics, digital marketing trends, and much more.
Robert Rose, Content Marketing Institute’s Chief Strategy Officer, leads the curriculum. You’ll have over 20 hours of digital marketing courses to enjoy that cover 10 separate topics. These digital marketing certification courses are great for everyone from solo marketers to entire marketing departments.
The total cost of this digital marketing course is $995. But, keep in mind that you’ll receive a year’s worth of online courses for this price. Content Marketing Institute does offer discounts for these online courses if you’re part of an educational organization, nonprofit, or you’re getting it for a work team.
8. Google Digital Garage
If you want to learn about creating a great digital marketing strategy, there’s almost no company better to learn from than Google. Like ’em or not, this company is still the biggest name in the search engine industry.
So, why would you want to take part in the Google Digital Garage Certificate Program? The first reason is that all of these courses are free. You’ll learn about digital marketing analytics, online advertising, and much more.
The amount of content in this course is astounding. There are over 40 hours worth of content in this course, covering everything from setting up effective digital marketing campaigns to learning about marketing automation.
If you want one of the best digital marketing certifications, you don’t have much to lose by checking out Google Digital garage. It’s 100% free. With the training in this certificate program, it should help you become a digital marketing expert in no time.
9. OMCP Digital Marketing Certification
The next digital marketing certificate I want to mention will make you an OMCP, or Online Marketing Certified Professional. This digital marketing course can help you stand out in the job market, earn more in the job you have, or strengthen your digital marketing skills.
You can visit the OMCP’s website to find out more about this course. While on your path to learning more about the digital marketing industry, the OMCP courses cover a wide range of topics.
Some of the things you’ll learn about through these courses are:
- Social media marketing
- Mobile marketing
- Search engine optimization
- Creating an email marketing strategy
- Web analytics
As you can see, you’ll be able to learn how to form a complete marketing strategy with this program.
10. American Marketing Association Digital Marketing Pro
To learn about digital marketing, it’s a good idea to think about strengthening your skills by learning from the American Marketing Association. This organization now partners with the Digital Marketing Institute to offer two separate degrees under one of the best digital marketing certification programs.
Once you receive access to this course, you’ll have over 30 hours of training to enjoy from a wide range of marketing professionals. Taking this course is a great way to learn about the fundamentals of digital marketing. Plus, there’s a lot of information about social media advertising, inbound marketing, and much more.
11. Harvard’s Digital Marketing Program
Yes, that Harvard. And, you don’t even have to move to Massachusetts for a few years. Harvard University’s program creates digital marketing professionals who understand how to create and manage digital strategies.
This course teaches you all sorts of digital marketing disciplines through videos, lectures, group exercises, and more. After completing this course, you’ll earn a digital marketing certificate directly from Harvard.
I don’t know about you, but I’d feel proud to tell people I completed one of Harvard’s best digital marketing certification courses.
If you can set aside five days and have $5,995 to spare, you can have Harvard help you become a stronger digital marketing professional.
12. SimpliLearn Digital Marketing Specialist
Many marketing professionals also enjoy taking and completing SimpliLearn’s Digital Marketing Specialist Program.
This course will teach you about SEO, email marketing, social media, and more. You’ll also step into the role of a digital marketer as you tackle real-world projects.
Another reason I included this pick is that it’s one of the best digital marketing certification because it offers live training from expert digital marketers. These sessions are great opportunities to ask questions and learn digital marketing techniques in an up-close-and-personal environment.
SimpliLearn’s digital marketing courses cost $1,649 total.
13. Udemy’s Digital Marketing Masterclass
Another one of the best digital marketing certifications comes from Udemy. If you’re unfamiliar with this website, Udemy is an education resource that teaches people about all sorts of subjects.
Fortunately, it also has an incredible marketing certification program. This program will help you form an integrated online marketing plan with interactive courses and lectures.
14. Digital Marketing Institute’s Pro Certification
If a company calls itself Digital Marketing Institute, it’s a safe bet to assume it knows how to create digital marketers.
This course teaches you about marketing principles, digital media, digital analytics, and much more. Plus, industry professionals lead this course that’s totally online.
If you want to have Digital Marketing Institute help make you a successful digital marketer, it will cost you $1,955. This means these courses are only the best digital marketing certifications for those with bigger budgets.
In closing, several popular digital marketing certificates are worth considering. If you invest only a bit of time, you can get these marketing certifications. It will take some time and studying, but seeing these certifications appear on your job profile can bring great opportunities.
Alex Eagleton is a copywriter and digital marketer passionate about helping companies connect with customers. Throughout the past decade, he’s worked with companies including Referral Rock, Connecteam, and Ramsey Solutions. He’s a versatile writer who understands how to align with companies, truly matching their voices and tones.
When he’s not writing, he enjoys spending time with his dogs, reading, and playing guitar.
You can reach him by emailing alex@contentmarketinglife.com.