Diving into the world of Google Ads can feel like embarking on a thrilling adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a curious newbie, mastering this powerful tool can significantly boost your business’s online presence. With so many online courses, tutorials, and resources, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to learn Google Ads effectively. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best places online to learn Google Ads—so you can invest your time in the platforms that actually deliver results.
Let’s dive in!
1. Google Skillshop: The Official Training Ground
When it comes to learning Google Ads, why not go straight to the source?
Google Skillshop offers free, comprehensive courses designed by Google experts themselves. These self-paced modules cover everything from the basics to advanced bidding strategies, allowing you to earn certifications that showcase your proficiency.
✅ Learn directly from Google
✅ Free, self-paced training
✅ Certifications that boost credibility
If you’re planning to run ads professionally or for a business, this should be your first stop.
2. Coursera: Structured Learning with Flexibility
If you prefer a more structured learning environment, Coursera has partnered with top institutions to offer Google Ads courses.
For instance, the “Google Ads for Beginners” course provides a step-by-step guide to creating effective campaigns. With video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on projects, you’ll understand:
✔️ How to set up Google Ads campaigns
✔️ Keyword targeting & bidding strategies
✔️ Measuring and optimizing performance
Best of all, Coursera’s courses are flexible, so you can learn at your own pace while still getting instructor support.
3. Udemy: Affordable, Diverse Google Ads Courses
Udemy is a goldmine for Google Ads courses. Whether you’re starting from scratch or fine-tuning advanced skills, there’s something for everyone.
Pro Tip: Udemy courses go on sale frequently—so you can often grab a $100+ course for under $20!
Popular Udemy courses cover:
✔️ Google Ads fundamentals & advanced strategies
✔️ E-commerce Google Ads (for Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)
✔️ Local business Google Ads campaigns
The best part? You own lifetime access to any course you purchase, making it an investment you can return to whenever needed.
4. LinkedIn Learning: Google Ads for Professional Growth
Want to boost your resume and learn Google Ads?
LinkedIn Learning offers professional-grade courses taught by industry experts. What makes this platform stand out is that you can showcase certifications directly on your LinkedIn profile, signaling to potential employers or clients that you know your stuff.
You’ll learn:
✔️ Google Ads campaign setup & structure
✔️ How to optimize for better conversions
✔️ Advanced Google Ads automation & bidding
Great for freelancers, agencies, and anyone looking to elevate their digital marketing career.
5. WordStream’s PPC University: Mastering Pay-Per-Click
If you’re serious about mastering pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, WordStream’s PPC University is a must-bookmark resource.
This free, in-depth PPC training is designed for marketers, agencies, and business owners who want to level up their advertising game. Topics include:
✔️ Google Ads fundamentals
✔️ Landing page optimization for PPC
✔️ Advanced bidding & automation strategies
Unlike some dry, technical courses, WordStream’s lessons are easy to digest and actionable—making PPC University a go-to resource for marketers.
6. HubSpot Academy: When Google Ads Meets Inbound Marketing
HubSpot Academy is best known for inbound marketing, but their Google Ads Training is surprisingly valuable.
This free course takes a holistic approach, showing how Google Ads fits into a broader digital marketing strategy.
✔️ How to create Google Ads campaigns with inbound marketing principles
✔️ Understanding customer journeys in paid advertising
✔️ Aligning Google Ads with content marketing
If you’re running Google Ads for lead generation, B2B marketing, or SaaS, this course is a hidden gem.
7. YouTube: The Free and Flexible Tutor
Sometimes, a visual, step-by-step tutorial is all you need.
One of the best free places to learn Google Ads is YouTube, where channels like Surfside PPC offer incredible breakdowns of:
✔️ Google Ads campaign setup
✔️ Budgeting & bid strategies
✔️ Troubleshooting common ad mistakes
It’s free, up-to-date, and beginner-friendly—making it a fantastic starting point.
8. CXL Institute: Advanced Training for Google Ads Pros
Want to take your Google Ads skills to the next level?
CXL Institute is one of the best resources for advanced training. Unlike basic Google Ads courses, CXL covers:
✔️ Advanced conversion tracking & attribution modeling
✔️ Data-driven bidding & optimization strategies
✔️ In-depth analytics to maximize ad spend ROI
It’s an investment, but if you’re a serious marketer, agency owner, or PPC specialist, CXL’s courses pay for themselves quickly.
9. Set Fire Creative’s Blog: Actionable Marketing Insights
Okay, we’re a little biased—but our blog is packed with Google Ads strategies you won’t find elsewhere!
Check out our Guide to Digital Marketing 2024 to understand how Google Ads fits into a full marketing strategy.
We also cover Google Analytics, campaign optimization, and ad targeting—all with real-world insights from our agency’s experience.
10. Google Ads Help Center: Your Troubleshooting Lifeline
When in doubt, head straight to the Google Ads Help Center.
This is the ultimate encyclopedia for Google Ads—providing official documentation, troubleshooting guides, and feature explanations.
While it’s not a structured course, it’s the go-to resource when you’re stuck or need clarification.
Final Thoughts: Start Learning Google Ads Today
Mastering Google Ads is one of the best investments you can make in growing your business or career. Whether you start with Google Skillshop, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, or YouTube, the key is to start implementing what you learn.
Want to optimize your digital marketing strategy beyond Google Ads? Check out our Ultimate Marketing Checklist for Businesses to ensure your entire marketing funnel is working together.
Where will you start learning Google Ads? Let us know in the comments!
Kylee is passionate about health and runs an online fitness and nutrition coaching business called Incinerate Training where she helps women to feel confident in their reflection again through lifestyle changes. She also runs a self development podcast called the Believing & Achieving podcast where she interviews experts and learns from their expertise.
