Google Marketing Certifications

The Certifications

Four credentials. All free.

Students complete these in sequence. The first three are completely free with no subscription. The fourth is free through CTE institutional enrollment.

✓ Completely Free

Google Digital Garage

Fundamentals of Digital Marketing

The required starting point. Covers SEO, social media, analytics, content strategy, and e-commerce. Accredited by the Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe and the Open University.

40 hours Beginner IAB Accredited

Start at Digital Garage →

✓ Completely Free

Google Skillshop

Google Analytics Certification

Teaches students how to track campaigns, understand audience behavior, and interpret marketing data. One of the most requested employer skills in marketing roles.

4–6 hours Beginner Renews annually

Start at Skillshop →

✓ Completely Free

Google Skillshop

Google Ads Certification

Industry-recognized credential covering paid search, display, video, and performance marketing campaigns. Students choose one or more tracks (Search, Display, Video).

3–5 hours per track Intermediate Renews annually

Start at Skillshop →

Free via CTE Enrollment

Coursera · Google

Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Professional Certificate

The capstone credential. Covers email marketing, SEO/SEM, social strategy, e-commerce, and Google Ads/Analytics. Students build a real portfolio of marketing projects. Requires students to be 16+.

6 months · 10 hrs/wk Beginner → Job-ready Portfolio included

Enroll via CTE Portal →

Scope & Sequence

Semester-long roadmap

Designed to run alongside existing coursework. Students progress at their own pace — faster completers move to the next certification immediately.

Phase	Timeframe	Certification	Key Skills	Deliverable
Phase 1	Weeks 1–4	Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Google Digital Garage	What digital marketing is SEO basics Social media strategy Content marketing intro	IAB-accredited certificate + reflection journal entry
Phase 2	Weeks 5–8	Google Analytics Certification Google Skillshop	Setting up Analytics Reading campaign data Audience segmentation Measuring marketing success	Skillshop certificate + mock campaign analytics report
Phase 3	Weeks 9–12	Google Ads Certification Google Skillshop	Paid search fundamentals Display & video ads Campaign budgeting Performance optimization	Skillshop certificate (Search track minimum) + ad strategy pitch
Phase 4	Weeks 13–End of Semester & Beyond	Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Professional Certificate Coursera · Google	Email marketing campaigns E-commerce strategy SEO/SEM integration Portfolio project development	Google Professional Certificate + marketing portfolio (shareable with 150+ employers)

Getting Started

How to enroll your class

Two parallel tracks — one for the free Skillshop/Digital Garage certs, one for the Coursera professional certificate.

Students create a Google account

Required for Digital Garage and Skillshop. Must be 13+. Can use an existing Gmail.

Enroll at Digital Garage

learndigital.withgoogle.com — start Fundamentals of Digital Marketing. Free, self-paced, no subscription.

Administrator signs up at the CTE portal. Students enroll through the school account — not individually. Free through Dec 2027.

Track progress in Skillshop

skillshop.withgoogle.com — students create accounts and self-enroll in Analytics and Ads certifications. Teacher monitors via class roster.

Students share certificates to portfolio

All Google/Coursera certificates generate shareable badges and LinkedIn-ready credential links upon completion.

Google MarketingCertification Pathway

Google Marketing
Certification Pathway