Google Partners Certifications Are Now Moving To Academy For Ads

[Zwielicht]

I just got this email today. I don't normally create threads like this, but I figured it might interest some of you.

Google Partners is committed to delivering the best training and certification experience in areas such as AdWords, Mobile Sites, Digital Sales, and Analytics. In 2018, we will bring learning courses, exams, and certifications all in one place: Google’s Academy for Ads.

Your AdWords and other exams for Google Partners, as well as your personalized certificates, will continue to be valid until their expiration dates. They will be available exclusively in Academy for Ads starting January 16th, 2018. Please note that with this transition, Google Partners public profile pages will no longer be accessible. Learn more »

Thanks. We look forward to seeing you in Academy for Ads!
The Google Partners team

Here's a screenshot from their video. It looks like they're doing "achievements" instead of certifications now.

I couldn't find any information on whether or not there are public profiles for the Academy for Ads. For those of you who didn't know, the public Google Partners profiles were, at one point (possibly still are), capable of ranking for individual names and companies. This was great for ORM purposes.

As far as the courses are concerned, it looks like they're going for an Udemy format. There are screenshots of both below for comparison.

Academy For Ads:

Udemy:

 

[ScribScribScrib]

what does that mean for the average adsense user? any significant changes or just layout adjustments?

 

[Smileyヅ]

So this one gonna be useful for not the publisher also developer?
Just singed up

 

[aidenhera]

what does that mean for the average adsense user? any significant changes or just layout adjustments?

i dont think you will find any golden knowledge. that would come from people who manipulate algos and CTR without getting caught, not from owners.

 

[Zwielicht]

Sorry, I never responded to this yesterday.

what does that mean for the average adsense user? any significant changes or just layout adjustments?

I don't see anything about it affecting Adsense at all. It really just looks like they're moving the Adwords exams over to that new platform.

Apparently, they're doing away with the public Google Partners certification profiles.

So this one gonna be useful for not the publisher also developer?
Just singed up

Those exams were mostly geared toward advertisers seeking to become a Google Partner and subsequently get the Partners badge.

They do have a few exams that are geared toward both publishers and advertisers such as the Google Analytics and Google Digital Sales exams. However, I mostly used them for ORM purposes.

 

[faouzus]

There is no exam for adsence

 

[Andy Malloy]

Isn't it better to make courses paid? Those who want to learn will pay more attention if they spend money on it, Microsoft does the same.

 

[Zwielicht]

There is no exam for adsence

Yeah, I noticed that as wel. I do recall reading about an "Optimising Adsense" exam back in 2014, but I'm unsure of if it's from Google or a 3rd party.

Isn't it better to make courses paid? Those who want to learn will pay more attention if they spend money on it, Microsoft does the same.

Google and Microsoft seem like polar opposites in that regard. Microsoft tends to invest in offline-only paid exams while many of Google's exams are online and free. Both companies have exceptions, with Microsoft's Bing Ads Accredited Professional exam being free and online, and Google's Certified Educator exam being paid but still online.

 

[Miketheguy]

Has the structure changed? is it mandatory to spend time on the courses( e.x: a timer? ) or it is the same ?

 

[Andy Malloy]

Google and Microsoft seem like polar opposites in that regard. Microsoft tends to invest in offline-only paid exams while many of Google's exams are online and free. Both companies have exceptions, with Microsoft's Bing Ads Accredited Professional exam being free and online, and Google's Certified Educator exam being paid but still online.

I was studying Microsoft Academy courses and they were completely online, but need to pay for certificates. Anyway I think it's cool to invest in education, it gives a good 'push' to the students.