26 Digital Marketing Certifications To Improve Your Resume

Updated May 6, 2024

A person sits at a laptop with illustrations of certificates floating nearby.

Online training tools make it easy for people in marketing to continue learning the latest concepts in digital media advertising, analytics and optimization. Digital marketing certifications are an effective way to keep up with industry trends and demonstrate credibility to current or prospective employers. Many social media platforms offer certifications, as do online universities.In this article, we discuss what digital marketing certifications are and the types available, and we give you a list of 26 digital marketing certifications you can pursue to strengthen your resume and professional credentials.

What are digital marketing certifications?

A digital marketing certification is a credential earned by marketing and content specialists after completing a training program or passing an exam. These optional certifications provide marketers with knowledge and tools that follow the current best practices in the industry. Certifications provide an alternative to traditional and lengthy academic programs.They can also supplement previous education, such as bachelor's degrees, to keep you competitive in emerging and quickly changing fields like digital marketing. You can find certifications offered by a wide range of organizations, including tech and media companies, professional organizations and colleges and universities.Related: Learn Digital Marketing in 9 Steps (With Tips)

Types of digital marketing certifications

There are two key types of credentials you can earn in digital marketing: certifications and certificates. Although some people use these two terms as synonyms, there are some distinct differences between the two that may help you choose the right path for you:

Certifications

Certification courses typically involve a brief training program and then an exam. Professional organizations with credibility in the industry typically administer these programs. Some certifications also come from trusted private businesses, like popular search engines and marketing platforms. Certifications may focus on a specific technical skill or tool, especially those offered by the software company.

Certificates

Certificates are specialized credentials you earn after completing a short program through an educational institution, such as a college or university. Certificate programs are supplementary to two-year or four-year degrees, and they're often available online. While different programs vary, these courses tend to focus on more broad industry skills, like social media or content marketing.

Benefits of digital marketing certifications

Here are some benefits of digital marketing certifications:

Add credibility to your resume

Certifications be an effective way to demonstrate your competence to potential employers and people in your network. They vouch for your specialized skills and link you to a respected organization, such as an esteemed professional group or a university.

Distinguish you from other candidates

Earning a digital marketing certification helps set you apart in your field by proving you have an expansive knowledge base and a drive to improve your professional abilities. Companies look for industry leaders who have invested in additional training to keep up to date with industry best practices.

Strengthen your skills

Many courses also provide vetted expertise from industry experts. Studying critical topics in the digital marketing field and working with skilled marketers may prepare you to perform better in your roles and achieve results with your digital campaigns.

How to get digital marketing certifications

Here's how to get a certification in digital marketing:

1. Set your career goals

To maximize the value you get from a certification program, it's best to determine your goals before enrolling. Think about what you hope to learn in your program, which might help you choose the right one and leverage it to reach your goals after completion.

2. Select a program

Consider your budget, schedule, interests and employment goals when researching different digital marketing certifications. Certification is an investment, so it's beneficial to choose one that works with your needs.

3. Complete any training courses

Most certifications and certificates require you to complete a certain number of hours of training. This might include in-person classroom courses, self-paced online modules or virtual lessons.

4. Pass all required tests

It's common for organizations to require a passing grade on an exam before issuing you your credential. These tests typically cover the material you learned through your training program, and many organizations offer study guides and resources to help you prepare. Schedule your exam and study effectively to increase your chances of passing.

5. Display your credential

Once you've officially earned your certification, you can leverage it throughout your job search. Consider adding your credential to your resume, email signatures and professional networking profiles.

6. Maintain your certification

Many certifications expire after several years. Learn about the requirements for keeping your certification valid. This might involve continuing education and a renewal fee.

Which digital marketing certifications are best for me?

Determining which digital marketing certification is right for you can involve reflection and careful planning. Here are some tips for choosing the right one:

Consider your timeline

Some programs take longer to complete than others, so if you want to earn your certification by a particular deadline, it's important to select one that aligns. For example, if your manager requests you earn a certification before a major conference you're attending in three months, you might want to opt for a short-term course or a self-paced course so you can finish your training in time. For certifications that require an exam, check the exam dates to ensure you can take it at a date that works for you.

Determine your career goals

Professional certifications can be a great way to specialize your skills. Consider how you might want to advance in the industry and choose a credential that testifies to your skills in that area. For example, if you're working as a marketing coordinator, weigh different specialized paths such as paid search and social media. This can help refine your options.

Analyze job listings

If you're looking for a new job, review listings in your market to learn what certifications employers are requesting. It might help to keep a spreadsheet or note of all the certifications you come across in job descriptions at your experience level. Note how many times a particular certification appears so you can target the most in-demand ones that may help you qualify for new roles.

26 digital marketing certifications

Here are some reputable digital marketing certifications for all levels of learners:

1. American Marketing Association (AMA) Certified Digital Marketing Professional

The national organization for marketing specialists offers a dual certification program in partnership with the Digital Marketing Institute. Program graduates earn a PCM Digital Marketing and Certified Digital Marketing Professional certification. Course content is online through 30 hours of self-paced learning with a cumulative exam you can schedule once you're ready to complete the training. AMA's program includes courses about:

Content marketing
Google Analytics
Search engine optimization (SEO
Digital marketing strategy

2. Google Ads

For those with experience in Google AdWords, this free course certifies you for one year. To earn certification, pass two exams in AdWords Fundamentals and your choice of the following topics:

Search Advertising
Display Advertising
Mobile Advertising
Video Advertising
Shopping Advertising

3. Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ)

Google Analytics is a free tool that helps marketers analyze website traffic. To earn a Google Analytics certification, you can take the Google Universal Analytics exam. Google recommends previous experience in AdWords before you take the exam. You can find study materials online through Google for this free certification.Read more: How To Get Google Analytics Certification (Plus Benefits)

4. Google Digital Garage: Fundamentals of Digital Marketing

The Google Digital Garage: Fundamentals of Digital Marketing credential through Google Unlocked, the digital market component of the Google Digital Garage, covers 26 different digital media topics that you can work through to learn basic concepts or review key principles from analytics to advertising. This certification has accreditation from The Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe and The Open University, and it's best for beginners hoping to develop basic digital marketing skills. A few of the topics for these modules include:

Online opportunities
Building a web presence
Online business strategy
Getting discovered with search
Getting noticed locally
Improving search campaigns
Social media
Mobile advertising possibilities

5. Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification

This social media management platform gives you 15 lessons with assessments to prepare you for a 60-question online exam about social media marketing concepts. Once you pass, you receive a lifetime certification and a badge you can proudly display to show your social media knowledge. Topics in the Hootsuite Social Media Marketing course include:

Social media strategy
Effective content sharing
Improving return on investment (ROI)

6. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification

HubSpot offers an eight-hour, 14-lesson course for their certification in media strategies. The goal of the Hubspot Content Marketing Certification is for marketing specialists to learn how to implement a content marketing strategy to drive traffic and provide quality content to readers. The course includes lessons in the following:

Storytelling
Content framework
Repurposing content
Analysis

7. HubSpot Inbound Marketing

The five-hour, 11-lesson Hubspot Inbound Marketing Certification focuses on attracting customers and gaining leads through digital marketing efforts. Also referred to as "pull marketing," this free course offers instruction in the following areas:

Lead conversion
Content creation
Social promotion

8. Digital Marketing Institute Certified Search Marketing Specialist

DMI offers the Certified Search Marketing Specialist credential for digital marketers who want to verify their skills in search. This course covers topics such as SEO, paid search, search analytics and popular search tools. To earn this credential, you complete 30 hours of training over 10 modules and pass a two-hour exam.

9. eCornell Digital Marketing Certificate

This business school offers the eCornell Digital Marketing Certificate through its e-learning platform. The courses cover basic frameworks of digital media then moves on to practical exercises. This framework allows each student to create their own digital marketing strategy that can be tailored to their needs and implemented as needed.

10. Content Marketing Institute Online Certificate

This online hub for content marketing training offers this certificate through its CMI University. Upon completing the course and passing the final exam, you can earn a certification that never expires. After registering, you have 12 months to complete the program. The core curriculum involves 10 mandatory courses, and there are elective courses available taught by experts, including topics like customer experience and lead generation.Related: Content Marketing Basics: What Is Content Marketing and How To Do It

11. Duke University Digital Media & Marketing Certificate

Advance your digital marketing skills with this self-paced, 12-month program that results in a professional Digital Media & Marketing Certificate from Duke University. This program includes modules on the following topics:

Content marketing
Social media
Mobile marketing
Pay-per-click advertising
Website conversion rate optimization
Web analytics
SEO

12. University of Vermont Advanced Social Media Marketing Certificate

This program from the University of Vermont is a four-week online course resulting in a certificate. Taught by industry experts and including Hubspot content, this course allows both veterans and beginners to hone their online marketing skills by developing campaigns. In this course, you can discover topics like:

Advanced SEO
Techniques for growing a small business with e-commerce
Marketing analytics
Social media storytelling

13. Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, offers the Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate credential for digital marketers operating on their platforms. This credential is best for entry-level marketing specialists and certifies your proficiency with Meta products and services. A Meta certification can show companies your skills in digital ad campaigns and reporting. You can advance your skills in the future with a higher-level Meta credential in one of the following areas:

Marketing science
Creative strategy
Media planning
Media buying
Community management
Meta Spark

14. Harvard University Digital Marketing Strategy

In this brief but in-depth industry course, students learn how to build and implement a data-backed digital marketing strategy. Topics in the Harvard University Digital Marketing Strategy course span a wide range of relevant concepts, such as customer journeys, data analytics and influencer marketing. The course lasts five days and occurs on Harvard's campus. It results in a certificate of completion.

15. Copyblogger Certified Content Marketer

The Copyblogger certification is for content strategists and creators who want to demonstrate their writing capabilities to potential employers and clients. To earn this advanced certification, you submit your work and pass a final review from a Copyblogger editor. Once you pass, you earn a listing in their directory as a Certified Content Marketer.Related: 24 Helpful Content Marketing Tips

16. Twitter Flight School Get Started on Twitter Badge

Twitter's Flight School is the platform's learning center, and the Get Started on Twitter Badge consists of short video modules that take about an hour to complete. The modules show marketers how to utilize their social network to reach a wider audience and expand their opportunities. You can also earn their badges in areas like creative advertising, videos and performance ads.Read more: How To Use Twitter in Your Business in 8 Steps (With Tips)

17. quintly Social Media Analytics Course

The quintly Social Media Analytics Course focuses on the analytics of social media, giving participants training in how to track their performance goals across major social media platforms. It's free and covers a variety of topics relating to social media. It includes courses on:

Analyzing your social media presence and competitors
Determining your goals
Reporting on social media posts

18. Microsoft Advertising Certification

Previously known as the Bing Ad Certification, the Microsoft Advertising Certification course helps marketers get the maximum benefit from Microsoft platforms. Training documents help you prepare for an exam, which requires a score of 80% or higher. There are currently three available certification tracks:

Search advertising learning path
Native and display advertising learning path
Shopping advertising learning path

19. OMCP Digital Marketing Certification

The Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) certification is one of the leading industry credentials for experienced digital marketers. You may be eligible if you have at least 5,000 hours of professional experience or 2,000 hours and qualifying industry training, such as a degree or approved courses. If you've earned other certifications or certificates, your training may make you eligible for the OMCP credential. You also take a series of exams.

20. YouTube Certified

A YouTube Certified credential from this popular video platform can help you define your video content strategy. Their training teaches you how to create, grow, optimize and monetize a YouTube channel. YouTube requires candidates to have a Content ID or partner manager to qualify.Related: Definitive Guide to YouTube SEO

21. GetResponse Digital Marketing Certification

The GetResponse Digital Marketing Certification helps marketers learn the tools to improve their online reach through areas like landing pages and marketing automation. They offer four curriculums for certifications in the following:

Email marketing
Landing page conversion optimization
Content marketing
Marketing automation

22. Full Sail University Digital Marketing Graduate Certificate

Full Sail offers a wide range of online courses for emerging media. Their digital marketing graduate certificate is a four-month program designed to provide an introduction to the following topics:

Digital marketing methodologies
New media
Marketing analysis
Digital analytics

23. Northwestern Kellogg Digital Marketing Strategies: Data, Automation, AI & Analytics

This two-month advanced program from Northwestern University focuses on concepts like brand storytelling and practical analytics through data mining. Learning about emerging technologies through this program could help you stay competitive and leverage the latest tools to your advantage. Key areas of focus include:

Ethnographic research
Social data mining
Behavior segmentation
Brand storytelling
Customer journey mapping
Marketing attribution
Automation

24. DePaul University Digital Marketing Strategy Certificate Program

The Chicago-based university offers the DePaul University Digital Marketing Strategy Certificate Program at its downtown campus to offer beginners a broad overview of digital marketing principles. Participants take courses to better understand:

Content marketing strategy
Digital marketing fundamentals
Search engine optimization
Multichannel marketing communications
Predictive analytics
Social media marketing

25. BrainStation Digital Marketing Certificate

This tech-forward platform offers both online and on-campus classes in locations across the United States and Canada. The BrainStation Digital Marketing Certificate program discusses key elements of digital marketing, such as SEO, email marketing and social media. The program includes a final project where students create a digital marketing campaign.Read more: 78 Tips To Make Your Digital Marketing More Effective

26. HubSpot Email Marketing Certification

The HubSpot Email Marketing Certification course teaches participants how to create an effective email marketing campaign. It includes nine lessons, 28 videos and nine quizzes. You can complete the course in three hours and 19 minutes. Specific modules focus on:

Segmentation
Email deliverability
Email design
Analyzing and testing marketing emails

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

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Ways to add digital marketing certifications to your resume

Below are some ways you could highlight your credentials on your resume to demonstrate your competence to potential employers:

Add a certifications section

You can add an optional section at the end of your resume for certifications. In this space, you can list the name of each credential you hold, the name of the organization that granted it and either year you earned it or the year it expires. Adding a certification section is an especially effective option if you have multiple digital marketing certifications to list. Here's an example:CertificationsCertified Search Marketing Specialist, Digital Marketing Institute - 2022
Content Marketing Certification, Hubspot - 2023

Put your credentials after your name

Some certifications result in a title, such as the OMCP, earn you acronym distinctions you can place behind your name. For example, if you earned this certification, you might write your name as follows:[First name] [Last name], OMCPRead more: How To List the Order of Credentials After a Name

Include digital marketing certifications in your professional summary

Reputable industry certifications are often excellent qualifications to discuss in your professional summary section. Including the name of a certification you hold can show the hiring manager you're a trained expert in the field, which may encourage them to continue reading your application. Here's an example of how you might add this information to your summary:Digital Marketing Specialist with four years of experience specializing in social media and search. Holds certifications from Hubspot and Google and a certificate from DePaul University.Related: Digital Marketer Certifications To Consider (With FAQs)

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