New Google AdWords Certified Partner Requirements?
As of April 2010, Google has announced some new changes and requirements for AdWords advertising companies who wish to become (or remain) qualified professionals. In addition to passing the Revamped Google AdWords Fundamentals Exam which was changed in late 2009, individuals will also need to pass one of three (your choice) Advanced Advertising Exams. There are 3 different Advanced Exams which may be taken and passed in order to achieve Google AdWords Certified Partner Status:
• The Search Advertising Advanced Exam, which covers intermediate-to-advanced best practices for managing multiple AdWords campaigns.
• The Display Advertising Exam, which covers intermediate-to-advanced best practices for advertising on YouTube and the rest of the Google Content Network.
• The Reporting & Analysis Advanced Exam, which covers intermediate-to-advanced best practices for maximizing account performances using Google Analytics, Website Optimizer, the AdWords Report Center, and other analysis techniques.
Google provides a detailed overview of each exam, the topics represented, and what lessons are included on each, on their Google AdWords Learning Center Page, seen here: http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=examstudy.cs&exam=complete. This page is also nice because clicking on any specific exam will gray out the areas which are not included, giving you an EXACT understanding of which topics you will need to focus on to pass each exam.
Budget Requirement Changes
In addition to the multiple exam requirements, Google has also reduced the required quarterly AdWords management budget from $100,000 per quarter down to $10,000 per quarter. This change was implemented to help aid small businesses who seek to become Google AdWords Certified Partners.
Gaining Google AdWords Certified Partner Status
Businesses who meet all requirements will be rewarded with a “Google AdWords Certified Partner” Logo (shown to the left), which can be proudly displayed on their website. And in order to reduce the fraudulent claims by non-accredited companies, this new logo will feature a “Click to verify” link, which will allow visitors to quickly check the validity of the company’s AdWords status with Google. Google has also introduced a Preferred AdWords API Pricing Model which will allow certified partners free access to the AdWords API.
I have researched this topic since it was announced, and the only question I have is do old certifications for Google AdWords Qualified Companies still hold up until their respective expiration dates, or does this new system force everyone to become certified regardless of previous status? If anyone knows, please share with us. If not, I’ll try to find us an answer.
So what do you think? A great new way to set paid advertising professionals apart from PPC noobies? Or yet another money-making “essential” exam from Google? Please share your thoughts, we’d love to hear them!
14 Comments
Hi Dylan,
It’s Sooch again! I am planning on taking the Search Advertising Advanced Exam pretty soon and I had a couple questions for you. I know the test covers some questions about the Local Business Center, but there isn’t any information about it in the adwords learning center.
Could you explain to me what Local Business Center (LBC) is and any other information you know about it?
Also could you explain the difference between ad extensions and local extensions? The learning center uses these two interchangeably and it is confusing.
Thanks!
Also, to answer one of your questions above: “Do old certifications for Google AdWords Qualified Companies still hold up until their respective expiration dates?”
I was told at work that everyone has to take the new exams whether they are currently certified or not. Don’t quote me on this, but I think it is true.
Hello again Sooch! It does make sense that Google would require everyone to take the new exam and meet all new requirements, even if just to keep everyone on an even playing field.
As far as your question, Ad Extensions offer advertisers the ability to add additional product or company location within a text ad. This may be in the form of specific product or service info, or contact info (address or phone number). I found a good introduction for Ad Extensions here: http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=141826
By local extensions, did you mean location extensions? If so, then Location extensions allow advertisers to attach address and local contact information to their ads by syncing them with their respective Local Business Center Listings.
The LBC is a Google directory of local businesses relevant to the user’s search query. The LBC also has a unique advantage, as it will default to the searcher’s geographical area (unless another city or state is specified in the search query). And although a bit outdated, this is another informative blog post to help you understand the concept a bit better. http://adwords.blogspot.com/2009/07/location-extensions-new-way-to-run.html
Good Luck Sooch, please let us know how you do on your Advanced AdWords Exam!
Thanks for all the info, Dylan! BTW, I did mean location extensions, thanks for catching that. Awesome, I’ll let you know how I do!
Dylan,
I have passed the fundamental exam and I found your tips useful
.
However, can I call myself adwords qualified individual before taking any of the advanced exams??
Hey, Dylan! I just took the Search Advertising Advanced Exam and passed with a 93% Yay! Thanks for all your help and support! I studied the same way as before through reading the material in the adwords learning center.
Aj, If you have passed the fundamentals exam, and have the required quarterly AdWords spend, then technically you should be a Google AdWords Qualified Individual/Company. However, as far as I can tell, Google is trying to shift away from the Qualified Individual Status, and more toward the AdWords Certified Partner status. I would suggest that you go ahead and take one of the 3 advanced exams, just to obtain the Newest Certified Partner Status. If you decide to take one of them, let us know how you did. Thanks !
And Sooch, Congrats man, glad to hear!! Google AdWords Certified Partner status, here you come! Thanks for all your conversation and feedback!
I am Google AdWords Qualified now. I have passed the Fundamentals and Advanced Search Exams; 93% on both.
I am studying for my Reporting & Analysis Advanced Exam within the next week. Hoping to score another 93%+ on this one.
Deciding whether to study for the Advanced Display Exam and Google Analytics IQ Exam sometime in the future.
Hello Christopher,
Congrats on your success. I’m aiming to get some authentic reviews from folks who have taken and passed the Advanced Exams on this post. Care to share any details regarding the Advanced Search Exam? I’m sure our readers would enjoy the tips!
Thanks Christopher!
Not sure if you ever rec’d the answer, but people have until Oct. 31 to update their GAP qualification to the new qualification.
http://adwords.blogspot.com/2010/08/update-to-google-certification-program.html
Hey Dylan,
Thanks for your comment. I came accross this post again, and just wanted to say, I passed my Advanced Reporting & Analysis Exam with 100%.
I am getting ready to take my Display Exam within a few hours. Aiming for at least 95%.
For tips on passing the Advanced Search Exam, I suggest reading the Search material, reading blogs, posts, forums, and getting some actual campaign experience. I have been active in SEM using it as a method to drive traffic with affiliate offers getting paid in a CPA basis.
I now manage search campaigns for law firms and specialize in lead generation.
I have now passed all the Exams in the Google Certification Program!
Fundamentals – 93%
Advanced Search – 93%
Reporting & Analysis – 100%
Display Adverting – 95%
I’m now preparing to take my Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) Exam within the next 2 weeks and plan to pass with 95%+.
I will have then passed all of the Google Exams with top scores offered for Google AdWords and Analytics.
I’m currently 19 years old from Michigan, and manage PPC campaigns for law firms. I would like to meet other young professionals and network with other individuals in the SEM industry. I have over 4 years experience in SEM/PPC and other areas of internet marketing including E-mail, SEO and Social Media Marketing.
Google Test Records:
https://googlerecords.starttest.com?code=I006BFD71007CFE6AF76AF678FF790026E1D44B
Hello Again Chris,
Again, big congrats on your success. A 19 year old who already has such an understanding of this industry surely has a bright future. I appreciate your additions and input to the blog, I’m sure our readers do too. Keep in touch Chris, and I actually just posted a new blog that relates to the GAIQ exam, if you’d like to check it out too!
http://www.trimarksolutions.com/inside/google/what-are-the-requirements-to-become-a-google-analytics-certified-partner-gacp/
Hello everyone,
I’ve passed the fundamental test but i have to admit that there were questions not explained in the study center. For example, in some results it appears the city or the name of a region; this is because the user enter it in the query or the advertiser add it as keyword?
What you suggest i should try now? Analytics maybe?