Getting Certified By Facebook and Google

Looking through job postings for digital marketing, I've found that more and more employers are now including Facebook and Google certifications as preferred, if not essential, requirements. These two advertising behemoths have done a great job building out educational platforms to help marketers improve their digital advertising proficiency, and the certifications help employers recognize them. The Adwords certification test has also been referenced in class before as well, so I decided to research how to prepare and get certified.

The Google Ads certification is available through Google's online training program, Skillshop. There are four certifications available: 

1. Google Ads Search Certification
2. Google Ads Display Certification
3. Google Ads Measurement Certification
4. Google Ads Video Certification
5. Shopping Ads Certification

To become Google certified in each of these areas, you will need to pass a product area assessment. The exams are free to take, and are approximately 1.5-2 hours long. After reading through some forums, it seems like most people find that it only takes 1-2 weeks of studying to be prepared for the exam (depending on experience, of course). And if you fail, you can retake the test after a week.

Facebook Blueprint certification is more rigorous than Google's. There are also several different certifications available, including: 

1. Digital Marketing Associate 
2. Marketing Science Professional
3. Media Planning Professional
4. Media Buying Professional. 

Unlike Google, Facebook's certification exams cost $150 and require you to take them at a professional test center or through a proctored online test. All of the material can be learned through the various courses available on Blueprint. According to people who have passed the certification, the questions are noticeably more challenging than those for Google's certifications, and a longer period of studying and preparation is recommended.