Top Marketing Certifications That Are Worth the Money

When it comes to digital marketing, knowledge is power, which is why there are so many marketing certifications out there.

Digital marketing is also one of the fastest-growing in-demand skills, according to Coursera’s Job Skills of 2024 report. 

Perhaps you remember years ago when I said certifications didn’t matter. Back then, it was true. But as time passed, marketing certifications have evolved and may be an excellent opportunity for you. These days, I’d say there’s a place for marketing certifications on your resume, especially if you’re just getting started.

There’s an overwhelming amount of certifications out there, so If you’re asking yourself, what marketing certifications should I get? I’ve done the hard work for you, going through dozens of online marketing certification programs and digging into data to find ten online certifications worth getting.

Sound good? Great, let’s dive in.

Key Takeaways

• There are many free certifications available from sources like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and HubSpot.
• Google’s certification is free but requires a 40-hour commitment.
• The OMCP marketing certification is one of the most comprehensive, but you also need significant experience in marketing to qualify.
• There’s an increasing demand for social media skills, so pursuing a certification in this area could help you stand out.

1. Digital Marketing Institute’s Digital Marketing Pro

When you complete your Digital Marketing Pro course, you’ll walk away certified by both the Digital Marketing Institute and the American Marketing Association.

In addition, the AMA says completing the course helped 75 percent percent of graduates achieve positive career impacts, promotions, and advancement. And 89 percent say the certification added value to the overall degree. 

The digital marketing certification comes with a free AI course, which is valued at $535.

But the real question is: What lessons does the Digital Marketing Pro course include?

Well, let’s look at the syllabus!

The certification requires ten courses, starting with an intro to digital marketing in the era of AI and ending with a digital marketing strategy class.

Once you’ve learned the basics of digital marketing (principles, research methods, consumer psychology, etc.), you can start to explore the more challenging subjects:

• Content marketing strategy
• Paid search and display advertising
• Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

This program covers everything from social media marketing to website optimization. It might not fit everyone’s budget, but it’s a certification worth considering.

Cost:

• DMI Expert (Certified Digital Marketing Expert + PCM Advanced Digital Marketing): $5,310
• DMI Pro (Professional Digital Marketing Course+ PCM from American Marketing Association) $2,060*
• DMI Specialist (Online Search Marketing Course, Professional Diploma): $2,060

*This is the one we focused on for the information above.

2. Content Marketing Institute’s Master Class Certification

Another way to obtain the AMA Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) is with the Content Marketing Institute. It’s aimed at professional marketers, including content marketers, writers, and social media experts.

It covers a range of skills, including the three pillars of content marketing strategy: developing personas, finding stories, and story map strategy.

The 11 core modules take anywhere from 28 to 59 minutes, and there are some elective modules on topics like persuasive content and data-driven content outcomes.

Cost:

• Individual: $995
• Nonprofit: $695
• Alumni: $595

3. Google’s Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Certification

If you’re searching for free certifications for marketing professionals then look no further!

The Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe and The Open University accredit Google’s Fundamentals course and it includes 26 modules.

The course takes 40 hours and covers fundamentals like:

• Planning a business strategy
• Using social media
• Getting noticed locally

Everyone taking part gets an award, which you can add to your LinkedIn and Skillshop profiles. It also covers making mobile work for you, getting started with content marketing, and video marketing.

Cost: Free

4. Google Ads Certification & GA Individual Qualification

The Google Analytics Certification is a highly specialized digital marketing certificate.

Google Analytics should be in every marketer’s tool belt. A well-trained digital marketing expert can use Google Analytics to identify any given ad strategy’s strengths and weaknesses quickly.

Armed with a strong understanding of Google Analytics (GA4), you’ll be one step closer to building effective digital marketing campaigns.

What do you need to do to get certified?

The exam is 90 minutes long and takes place in a single session. Like most certifications on this list, you need a minimum score of 80 percent to pass. If you fail, you need to wait a week before trying again.

Their Google Analytics for Beginners and Advanced Google Analytics courses might seem simple at first glance, but they contain vital information you’ll need daily as a marketer.

Additionally, the Google Ads certification course helps shine some light on the more complicated Google Ads topics. If you’re not clear on the value proposition of digital advertising, building a campaign from scratch, or measuring metrics, this is the course you need.

Cost: Free

5. Hootsuite Academy Marketing Certification

There’s a rising need for social media managers, and LinkedIn’s research showed social media was the most in-demand skill last year.

If you need to upgrade your social media marketing expertise, Hootsuite’s program has several marketing certifications available.

My advice? Go through your resume and see what skills you need to develop. Take advantage of Hootsuite’s courses by spending some time and money to make yourself a stronger online marketer. They have nine certifications available.

Cost:

• Hootsuite Platform Certification Course: Free training, then $99 for certification
• Social Media Marketing Certification Course: $199
• DEI on Social Media Certification Course: $49 a year
• Social Selling Certification Course: $299
• Advanced Social Media Strategy Certification Course: $999
• Social Media and You Certification Course: $299
• Advanced Social Advertising Certification Course: $249
• Hootsuite Enterprise Platform Certification Course: $499
• Hootsuite Custom Education Academy: Prices on application

6. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification

Ever wish you had the right content marketing skills to grab attention and drive sales? Then completing this program should be high on your to-do list. 

The HubSpot Content Marketing Certification is a comprehensive course, and includes 12 lessons, helping you build a strong content marketing foundation before teaching you how to create an exceptional content catalog.

What makes HubSpot unique is it helps you understand the value of storytelling and how to build a content creation framework properly. They cover everything from how to build a guest blogging strategy to how to promote your content.

Cost: Free

Want to fine-tune a different skill set? HubSpot has several other digital marketing certifications, including:

• Social media marketing
• Content marketing
• Inbound marketing
• Email marketing
• SEO marketing
• Rev Ops
• YouTube Marketing
• LinkedIn Marketing

7. OMCP Digital Marketing Certification

If you’ve never heard of the Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) Certification, that’s not surprising. It’s a pretty advanced certification and not for anyone brand new to the digital marketing world.

While there are no official prerequisites to the OMCP exams, there are a few criteria you need to meet if you want to gain certification. Right off the bat, you’re going to need lots of experience.

Not only do you need passing scores on your OMCP exams, but you’ll also need to meet at least one of these three requirements:

• 5,000 hours of experience
• A post-secondary degree with 2,000 hours of experience
• Completion of an approved digital marketing course with 1,000 hours of experience

Once you pass your exam, you can request your certification and confirm your certification status.

What will you learn? You’ll start by learning the ins and outs of content marketing, how to optimize your conversion rate, and all about email marketing strategies. Then, the courses cover mobile marketing and paid search.

The course wraps up with an in-depth look at SEO, social media marketing, and general digital analysis.

The course might be demanding, but with an increased earnings potential of up to 26 percent, it’s no wonder that this course is in high demand.

Cost:

• OCMA: $225
• OCMP: $395*

*This is the exam we focused on in this section.

8. Microsoft Advertising Certification

When it comes to marketing certifications, many tend to go with what’s well-known. But in reality, the best marketing advances often happen when you think outside the box.

That’s why I recommend you look into becoming a Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional. 

For starters, it’s completely free. The program helps you maximize your advertising dollars and optimize your ad campaigns.

Plus, once you’ve completed certification, you’ll get a listing in the member directory, so potential employers can quickly confirm your certification status. You may even catch a marketing director’s eye as they scan the directory!

This certification is a great stepping stone for anyone starting in the marketing world.

Cost: Free

9. YouTube Certified

It’s surprising how rarely this marketing certification comes up. YouTube is a big deal in the marketing world.

Whenever marketers talk about certifications, they tend to focus on courses that cover the basics of navigating the digital marketing ecosystem.

But sometimes, that’s not really what you need.

Sometimes, you need a course that helps you understand what’s under the hood of a particular tool.

I can’t think of a course that’s more undervalued than the YouTube certification.

The YouTube Certified program is all about taking the building blocks of digital marketing and applying them to the YouTube platform.

It’s ideal for creators who want to learn advanced techniques and tools, but it’s only open to creators/partners with a YouTube partner manager or with a Content ID. 

With courses like music certification, content ownership, and asset monetization, they’re focused on teaching you how to make compelling content that converts visitors into buyers. You can access the courses via Skillshop. 

Cost: Free

10. Meta BluePrint Marketing Certification

Meta’s massive reach makes it irresistible to digital marketers. But the truth is, most don’t understand what makes a Facebook ads campaign work.

Usually, digital marketers use the same tactics they apply to Google Ads and call it a day.

But Meta is its own world, and it’s essential to understand the lay of the land if you want to generate traffic and conversions.

The Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate is a bite-sized 90-minute course aimed at entry-level marketers, students, job seekers, and anyone changing career paths. It teaches you the basics and best practices for optimizing your advertising on Meta platforms (Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook).

You get a study guide and you can do a 30-question exam, too.

You need a minimum score of 700 to pass an exam and to take the test, you’ll need a photo ID with your signature that matches your CertMetrics profile.

Other certifications available are:

• Meta Certified Marketing Science Professional
• Meta Certified Meta Spark Creator
• Meta Certified Media Buying Professional
• Meta Certified Media Planning Professional
• Meta Certified Community Manager
• Meta Certified Creative Strategy Professional

Cost: Between $99 – $150 per certification, but costs can vary per country. 

Additional Marketing Certifications to Consider

Looking for more certifications for marketing than what I’ve listed here? The following certifications are all free, but valuable resources for upping your marketing game.

• Amazon Learning Console: There are several free courses, such as video marketing, display advertising, and Amazon Ads Advanced Retail Certification.
• TikTok Academy: Here, you can access courses to transform you into a TikTok pro and receive badges for each certification you complete. The 101 Course explains why TikTok is so unique and details creative best practices. The Small Business Course teaches setting up a business account, making engaging content, and using TikTok tools to drive traffic.
• Neil Patel: Try my free training course “SEO Unlocked.” It only takes a weekly commitment of 90 minutes max and you get worksheets, PDFs, and spreadsheets to help with assignments.
• HubSpot AI for Marketers: Ever wondered how AI can maximize your marketing? This course guides you through using AI for deeper consumer insights, creating content, and personalization.

For even more options, read my article about the best SEO certifications.

FAQs

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These are credentials that show expertise in various areas of marketing, for instance, email marketing, social media, or content marketing. They’re available on different platforms like HubSpot and Meta, or you can access them through universities or colleges.

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Yes. While you can demonstrate your expertise through case studies, blog posts, video marketing, and other methods, you might not have that option when you’re starting your career. A marketing certification shows you have solid skills and demonstrates your expertise to a potential employer, too. 

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Definitely! Gaining certifications for marketing helps your resume stand out from other candidates in the competitive world of digital marketing. Stick to certifications from reputable brands and remember practical expertise and the ability to deliver results for your clients are just as important as those certifications.

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It depends on which area you want to specialize in. HubSpot has a range of courses covering areas like inbound marketing and content marketing.HootSuite has certifications for social media, and others offer intensive courses that cover all the major areas.

Decide which area you want to focus on and narrow down your choices that way. You can always dip your toe in by completing a free course and change direction later if you want to.

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It depends on your preferred way of learning and your level of expertise. Moz, Reliablesoft, ClickMinded, HubSpot, and Semrush all provide SEO training.

HubSpot’s free SEO course gives you a firm foundation, and Moz’s SEO certification also provides foundational knowledge. While Reliablesoft provides training across all areas of SEO and has a four-course bundle for $89.

Assess the modules to decide which one offers the best value for where you are right now career-wise.

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Conclusion

Digital marketing changes every day. The platforms and tactics that worked just a few years ago don’t work as well today.

As a digital marketer, your job is to stay on the cutting edge. In an industry that moves this quickly, that can be pretty daunting, especially if you’re just starting out.

That’s where certifications for marketing like these can be so useful. Many of them are short and inexpensive enough that you don’t need to quit your day job and take out a loan. But they’re also thorough enough that you should walk away with valuable insights.

Have you found success with any of these certifications? Are there other certifications for marketing you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!

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