Muddassir Ali
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Google Ads Certification for Free: How I Passed It on Skillshop (Step by Step)

How to get the Google Ads certification free on Skillshop: which one to choose, how the 75-minute assessment works, how to prepare and how to share it.

Muddassir AliUpdated Ads & Analytics
Google Ads Certification for Free: How I Passed It on Skillshop (Step by Step)

The short answer

The Google Ads certification is free on Google Skillshop. Sign in with a Google account, pick a certification such as Google Ads Search, finish the course, then take the timed assessment: 75 minutes, 80% needed to pass, retake allowed after one day. The certificate is valid for one year.

The Google Ads certification is free. You take it on Google Skillshop, Google's own training site, and you do not need to pay anything or spend on ads to get it.

I passed the Google Ads Apps certification in August 2026 and the Google Ads Search certification in October 2026. Both are listed with Google's verify links on my About page. This is exactly how the process works.

The rules, from Google

These come from Google's help page on Google Ads certifications:

Rule What it means
Cost Free
Time limit 75 minutes per assessment. The timer cannot be paused
Pass mark 80% or more
If you fail Retake after one day
Valid for One year, then you pass the assessment again to renew

Which certification to choose

Skillshop has several Google Ads certifications. Pick based on the work you want:

  • Google Ads Search: search ads on Google. Start here. It teaches keywords, match types, bidding and ad copy.
  • Google Ads Display: image ads across websites and apps.
  • Google Ads Video: YouTube ads.
  • Shopping ads: product ads for online stores.
  • Google Ads Apps: ads that drive app installs and in-app actions.
  • Google Ads Measurement: conversion tracking and attribution.
  • AI-powered performance ads: Google's automated campaign types.

Step 1: Sign in to Skillshop

  1. Go to skillshop.withgoogle.com.
  2. Sign in with your Google account. Use the account you want the certificate in your name on. I use my personal account, not a work one, so the certificate stays mine if I change jobs.
  3. Check that your name is spelled the way you want it on the certificate.

Step 2: Do the learning path

Search for "Google Ads Search" and open the certification. Each one has a learning path of short lessons, plus quick knowledge checks.

How I studied:

  • Watch with a notebook open. Write down every term you could not explain to a friend: match types, Quality Score, Smart Bidding, conversion actions.
  • Open a Google Ads account and look around while you learn. You can create an account without running a campaign. Seeing the real screens makes the questions easier.
  • Do the knowledge checks honestly. They show you which topics need a second look.

Step 3: Take the assessment

When you are ready:

  1. Choose a quiet 75 minutes. Leaving the page ends the attempt.
  2. Use a laptop and a stable connection, not a phone on mobile data.
  3. Read each question twice. Many questions ask for the best option for a given business goal, so think about the advertiser's goal first.
  4. Do not get stuck. If a question is hard, pick your best answer and move on.

If you fail, do not worry. You can retake after one day. Revise the topics you were unsure of and try again.

Step 4: Download and share it

After you pass:

  • Download the certificate from your Skillshop profile.
  • Copy the credential link. Anyone can open it to verify the certificate.
  • Add it to LinkedIn under Licenses and certifications, with the issue date, expiry date and the credential link.
  • Put it on your CV with the date.

One honest rule: say "Google Ads certified", never "Google Partner". The Partner badge is for companies that meet Google's account requirements, not for individuals.

Turn it into real skill

A certificate shows you studied. To show you can do the work, build something:

  1. Pick a local business, such as a clinic, a coaching centre or a shop.
  2. Write 20 keywords people would search to find it. Use the free method in my SEO for beginners guide to find them.
  3. Group them into two ad groups and write three ads for each.
  4. Add negative keywords for searches you do not want, such as "free" or "jobs".
  5. Save it as a one-page plan. That page plus the certificate is a strong first portfolio piece.

What to learn next

Questions people ask

Is the Google Ads certification really free?
Yes. Both the learning paths and the assessments on Google Skillshop are free.
How many questions are in the Google Ads Search assessment?
Google’s help pages give the time limit (75 minutes) and the pass mark (80%) but not an official question count. Plan your time per question as you go, and do not spend too long on any one.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake the assessment one day later. Use that day to revise the topics you were unsure about.
How long is the certification valid?
One year. My Google Ads Search certificate, for example, was issued on 11 Oct 2026 and is valid until 11 Oct 2027. To renew, you pass the assessment again.
Which Google Ads certification should I do first?
Google Ads Search. It covers keywords, bidding, ad copy and measurement for search ads, which most other Google Ads work builds on.
Does the certificate make me a Google Partner?
No. Skillshop certifications are personal. Google Partner is a separate status for companies that meet Google’s requirements.
Do I need a Google Ads account with spend to take it?
No. You only need a Google account to sign in to Skillshop.
Can I pause the assessment?
No. The 75-minute timer cannot be paused, and leaving the assessment ends it. Take it when you have uninterrupted time.

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