Google Ads is the online advertising platform used by technology company Google to offer advertisers multiple ways to reach internet users as potential customers. Google Ads come in many forms like text, graphics, animations, and video and are displayed in formats on the internet like banner ads, search ads, product listings, and business listing ads. Advertisers pay Google to use Google Ads to show up high in searches on Google, YouTube, and other websites when users are searching for terms that are relevant to the advertisers. Advertisers who use the platform have an expectation that these interested persons may turn into potential leads and sales. Every time someone clicks on an ad, Google earns money from the advertisers.

Why is it important to learn Google Ads?

It’s important that you learn about Google Ads to understand how internet advertising works, how to use SEO in your campaigns, and how best to optimize your online advertising. Understanding the basic fundamentals of Google’s pay-per-click (PPC) advertising network and search advertising network involves a deep understanding of search, algorithms, automation, keywords, and cost per thousand impressions (CPMs). But if you want to work in internet marketing and advertising, learning these concepts may help you in your career in the online advertising industry.

What are typical career opportunities that use Google Ads?

The types of careers that are available to someone who learns Google Ads can include digital media strategist, PPC account manager, online sales manager, Google Ads manager, and similar online advertising roles. Nearly every work industry that seeks users via the internet will try Google advertising at some point, and you may be able to advance your career if you have a clear understanding of display, search, and PPC ads on the Google networks.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn Google Ads?

Taking online courses to learn Google Ads could teach you how to set up a Google Ads account, choose the type of ads and formats you wish to use, and how to use Google-specific targeting methods to reach the right kind of audience for your product or service. When you take online courses on Coursera to learn Google Ads, you may be able to broaden your knowledge of how keywords work, how to create compelling marketing campaigns, and how to create your budget for automated advertising bidding.

What are the benefits of taking an online Google Ads course?

Online Google Ads courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Google Ads skills. Choose from a wide range of Google Ads courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Are there free Google Ads courses or certifications available on Coursera?

Yes, Coursera offers a variety of free courses across many topics, including Google Ads. While you can access most course materials for free by auditing the courses, this does not include graded assignments or a completion certificate. For those looking to obtain a certificate to showcase their learning or enhance their professional profile, Coursera provides the option to purchase the course. Additionally, Coursera offers free trials or financial aid to learners who qualify, making certifications more accessible to everyone.

Top Google Ads Courses - Learn Google Ads Online

Explore the Google Ads Course Catalog

Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Google Ads for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Google Ads, Keyword Research, Target Audience, Pay Per Click Advertising, Search Engine Marketing, Advertising Campaigns, Campaign Management, Online Advertising, Digital Advertising, Return On Investment
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
5.6K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce
Skills you'll gain: Media Planning, Search Engine Marketing, Email Marketing, Data Storytelling, Social Media Strategy, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Content Creation, Order Fulfillment, Google Ads, Online Advertising, A/B Testing, Social Media Campaigns, Digital Advertising, Target Audience, Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, Loyalty Programs, Customer Retention, Campaign Management
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
39K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Create a Google Ads Search Campaign
Skills you'll gain: Google Ads, Online Advertising, Search Engine Marketing, Campaign Management, Keyword Research, Advertising Campaigns, Advertising, Pay Per Click Advertising, Digital Advertising, Marketing, Bidding, Budget Management, Marketing Strategies
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
699 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
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Coursera Project Network
Google Ads for Beginners: Master Essentials & Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Google Ads, Keyword Research, Advertising Campaigns, Pay Per Click Advertising, Online Advertising, Digital Advertising, Search Engine Marketing, Marketing
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Aptly
Search Advertising with Google
Skills you'll gain: Google Ads, Advertising Campaigns, Content Performance Analysis, Pay Per Click Advertising, Search Engine Marketing, Performance Metric, Campaign Management, Performance Analysis, Keyword Research, Performance Measurement, Bidding, Digital Advertising, Web Analytics, Registration, Advertising, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Test Planning, Copywriting
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

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Google
Attract and Engage Customers with Digital Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Online Advertising, Target Audience, Digital Marketing, Digital Advertising, Persona Development, Web Analytics and SEO, Keyword Research, Pay Per Click Advertising, Marketing, Customer Engagement, Customer Acquisition Management, Advertising, Marketing Strategies, Lead Generation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google
Assess for Success: Marketing Analytics and Measurement
Skills you'll gain: Media Planning, A/B Testing, Marketing Budgets, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Marketing Analytics, Marketing Effectiveness, Performance Measurement, Data Visualization, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Return On Investment, Spreadsheet Software, Data Presentation, Web Analytics, Online Advertising, Digital Marketing, Pivot Tables And Charts, Stakeholder Communications, Data Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Literacy, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Interactive Data Visualization, Interviewing Skills, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Ggplot2, Tableau Software, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Stakeholder Communications, Dashboard, Sampling (Statistics), R Programming
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
167K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Meta
Advertising with Meta
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Budgets, Campaign Management, Target Audience, Performance Analysis, Advertising, Advertising Campaigns, Social Media Campaigns, Facebook, Instagram, Paid media, Bidding, Social Media, Budget Management, Social Media Marketing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google
Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Digital Advertising, Customer experience strategy (CX), Performance Measurement, E-Commerce, Marketing Strategies, Digital Marketing, Marketing Channel, Customer Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Search Engine Marketing, Brand Marketing, Content Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Target Audience
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
27K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, Wireframing, Responsive Web Design, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, User Research, UI/UX Research, Information Architecture, Figma (Design Software), Usability Testing, User Story, Web Design, Design Reviews, Usability, Presentations, User Experience, Design Research, Ideation, User Centered Design, Mockups
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
90K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
How to Set Up a Facebook Ads Campaign
Skills you'll gain: Target Audience, Facebook, Advertising Campaigns, Social Media Campaigns, Campaign Management, Social Media, Social Media Management, Paid media, Online Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Advertising, Marketing Budgets, Digital Advertising, Budgeting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
379 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours