Google Ads study guides

2014 - Calum Shepherd

Updated: 17/06/2015 (Google Partners Program)

Looking to expand your Google Ads knowledge? Whether you manage campaigns day-to-day or are just getting started, Google Ads Certification is worth having - it sharpens your grasp of paid media terminology, how campaigns actually work, and gives you a credential to show potential employers.

I’ve put together a list of study guides to help with both the Fundamentals and Advanced Search Advertising exams.

You can pass the exams without any physical guides or paid revision packages. But if you’d rather have something for your desk, the Google AdWords For Dummies book is a solid starting point.

Introducing the Google Partners program

• Google Partner exams are now free - no need to pay for your Ads exams anymore.
• The new Google Partners website lets you revise and take exams all in one place.
• Third-party resources can go out of date and may not reflect the current Ads interface or exam material - though they can still be useful, and tend to get refreshed after major Partners updates.
• Google’s own resources stay the most reliable and will match the exam material most closely.

In short, revision has become far cleaner and more streamlined since the Partners launch, and hunting for third-party study guides matters much less than it used to.

1. Official Google study guides

The Google Partners area is the best place to start - seminars, study guides, and everything you need to kick off your certification.

• Visit the Google Partners help area
• Download the Google Adwords Fundamentals study guide (PDF) (dead-link)
• Download the Google Adwords Search Advanced study guide (PDF) (dead-link)

2. Google Adwords help centre

A good reference for terminology and a thorough walkthrough from basic setup to billing - better suited for reference than direct exam study.

• Visit the Google Adwords Help Centre

3. Google Adwords interface

Hands-on experience is still the best preparation. You’ll need a valid Google account with a name, address, and card details (don’t worry - you can remove the card after setup).

The real value comes from setting budgets and actually launching campaigns. Google regularly sends $50 vouchers to new users by email, so keep an eye out after activation. The Ads Coupon page is also worth checking - at the time of writing, £75 free with a £25 spend.

• Visit the Google Adwords Coupon website
• Visit the Google Adwords website

4. Google YouTube Adwords playlist

Google’s YouTube channel has a wide range of videos covering Google Ads - a good place for a comprehensive overview.

• Visit the Google YouTube Adwords overview playlist

5. Other websites

These may be a little dated but can still add value if you have extra study time:

• Slideshare deck by Emily Liedblad
• General certification guide by Tom Demers
• Quiz by Mr McSheeny

I’d also recommend the free uCertify trial - a solid package with a decent number of free practice questions.

Good luck, and let me know how you get on.