15 Best Digital Marketing Certificate Programs of 2023

Are digital marketing certificate programs a good way to learn digital marketing on your own? Do you have more chances of getting hired if you’re a marketing certification holder, or is it a complete waste of time?

We did our research, and in this comprehensive review, you’ll learn everything you need to know about digital marketing certifications. The list includes the top online marketing programs from reputable training institutions, marketing organizations, and Universities.

We’ll start by presenting the best digital marketing certificates you can pursue in 2023. For each certification, you’ll learn how much it costs, how to get certified, and the advantages of enrolling in the particular course.

15 Top Digital Marketing Certifications of 2023

1. Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Certification
2. Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
3. Google Digital Marketing & eCommerce Certificate
4. Coursera Digital Marketing Specialization
5. Meta Social Media Marketing Certificate
6. Harvard Digital Marketing Strategy Program
7. Duke Digital Media and Marketing Certificate
8. DMI Digital Marketing Pro Certificate
9. OMCP Digital Marketing Certification
10. LinkedIn Digital Marketing Certificate
11. PCM Digital Marketing Certification
12. Google Ads Marketing Certification
13. Brainstation Digital Marketing Certification
14. Google Analytics 4 Certification
15. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

1. Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Certification

Relialesoft Digital Marketing Academy was founded in 2016 and is part of Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Agency. The training programs offered by Reliablesoft are prepared and taught by experienced digital marketers with 20+ years of hands-on experience in the industry.

Reliablesoft Academy offers two certificates: An SEO certificate and a Digital Marketing certificate.

The Digital marketing certificate covers the following topics:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Facebook / Instagram Ads
• Google Ads
• eCommerce Marketing
• Google Analytics 4
• Email Marketing
• Content Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Keyword Research
• Digital Marketing basics

What you should know about Reliablesoft’s digital marketing training is the following:

The course material includes techniques and practices you can use to optimize your digital marketing campaigns. The fact that the lessons are prepared by experts currently working in the industry gives you the added advantage of learning what is actually working in real-life scenarios and not what is good to know in theory.

The courses are updated frequently to consider the latest techniques and practices.

At the end of this training, you’ll know exactly what steps to follow to run successful digital marketing campaigns.

They suit anyone wishing to learn digital marketing and become a true expert.

All techniques taught in the courses apply to all types of websites, platforms, and languages.

How do you get certified? You need to complete all courses and pass two exams. The SEO exam (you’ll also get an SEO certification) and the Digital Marketing exam. Both exams are multiple-choice exams.

Is the Reliablesoft certification worth it? To avoid giving you a biased answer, you can review the feedback of the 8,200+ students already enrolled in this program.

Compared to the other programs on this list, this certificate is affordable for everyone. It also comes with a non-conditional 60-day money-back guarantee (by far the best in the industry).

2. Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing

Google Digital Garage (now part of Google Skillshop) is a learning platform owned by Google. They offer various online courses and certifications covering various topics, from digital marketing to machine learning and self-improvement.

One of their most popular certificates is the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Certificate.

What you should know about this certificate is the following:

• It’s free.
• It’s for beginners in digital marketing. The course title is “Fundamentals of Digital Marketing” and it’s mostly for people new to digital marketing.
• It has 26 modules.
• It’s a video course (total hours 40).
• It is accredited by the Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe and The Open University.

This Google digital marketing certification will help you build the following skills:

• Content marketing
• Email marketing
• Local marketing
• Business strategy
• Marketing Analytics
• Display advertising (Google Ads)
• e-Commerce basics
• Search engine marketing
• SEO
• Social media marketing
• Video Marketing
• Web optimization

How do you get certified? To be awarded the Google Digital Marketing Certificate, you must complete all 26 modules and pass the final exam (40 questions).

Is Google’s digital marketing certification worth it? It’s a good certificate for beginners, and it’s free. The online learning platform is easy to navigate, and the module structure is well-organized. This course is a good starting point if you know nothing about digital marketing.

You’ll learn the fundamentals and the high-level theory, but it won’t make you an expert. Other programs in this list, taught by industry experts, include real examples and provide more actionable advice beyond the theory.

So, the bottom line is that you can follow this online marketing certificate and get certified (it’s good for your CV), but this is not a course you can use as a reference when you start working with advanced digital marketing strategies.

3. Google Digital Marketing & eCommerce Certificate

Google Digital Marketing & e-commerce is a paid marketing certification offered by Google through Coursera. It includes 7 courses covering topics related to digital marketing and eCommerce.

Through a period of 6 months, it prepares students with no prior experience in marketing for getting an entry-level digital marketing job. It is accredited by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) and the American Advertising Federation (AAF).

What is included?

This certificate includes 7 courses, and the total duration is 152 hours. Students can complete the courses at their own pace and time, and it’s 100% online.

In particular, this Google Digital Marketing Certificate covers the following topics:

• Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce
• Attract and Engage Customers with Digital Marketing
• From Likes to Leads: Interact with Customers Online
• Think Outside the Inbox: Email Marketing
• Assess for Success: Marketing Analytics and Measurement
• Make the Sale: Build, Launch, and Manage E-commerce Stores
• Satisfaction Guaranteed: Develop Customer Loyalty Online

How do you get certified? To get the Google Digital Marketing and eCommerce professional certificate, you must finish all courses and pass all graded exams. Exams are in the form of multiple-choice quizzes and are available at the end of each course.

Is the Google Digital Marketing & eCommerce Certificate worth it? Yes, this Google certificate is definitely worth it. Compared to the free Fundamentals of Digital Marketing certification, this certificate is more comprehensive and practical.

It includes 152 hours of content instead of 40 and practical lessons related to eCommerce marketing (such as creating an online shop with Shopify).

In addition, it provides students with resources to help them find a job after successfully completing the course.

4. Coursera Digital Marketing Specialization

The Digital Marketing Specialization is offered by the University of Illinois and is part of the Master of Business Administration (iMBA) degree.

It includes the following courses:

• The Digital Marketing Revolution
• Marketing in a Digital World
• Digital Marketing Analytics in Theory
• Digital Marketing Analytics in Practice
• Digital Media and Marketing Principles
• Digital Media and Marketing Strategies
• Digital Marketing Capstone

What you should know about Coursera’s program is the following:

• Even though the program is offered by the University of Illinois, you won’t get a digital marketing degree but a certificate for completing the particular specialization.
• You get a 7-day trial. You can register and pay nothing for 7 days. This gives you enough time to check the courses and lesson format.

How do you get certified?  When you finish each of the 7 courses and complete the hands-on project, you’ll earn a Digital Marketing Certificate.

Is the Coursera Digital marketing specialization worth it? The course material will help you develop the following digital marketing skills: Digital Marketing, Marketing, Pricing Strategies, Marketing Analytics, Mobile Marketing, and Social Media marketing.

It is a highly theoretical course, and it won’t teach you how to run digital marketing campaigns or work as a digital marketing professional. You should enroll in this certificate program if you plan on continuing your studies and achieving the iMBA degree awarded by the University of Illinois.

5. Meta Social Media Marketing Certificate

The Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate is one of the professional certificates offered by Meta through Coursera.

The certificate includes 6 courses and takes 7 months to complete on average.

• Introduction to Social Media Marketing
• Social Media Management
• Fundamentals of Social Media Advertising
• Advertising with Meta
• Measure and Optimize Social Media Marketing Campaigns
• Meta Social Media Marketing Capstone

What you should know about this certification is the following:

• As part of the lessons, you’ll also prepare to take the Meta Digital Marketing Associate Certification exam and get the Meta Digital Marketing Certification.
• The course and exams can be completed 100% online.
• Following this course, you can pursue career opportunities in social media marketing, Facebook advertising, Instagram advertising, and digital marketing in general.
• Meta helps graduates find a job through a dedicated job board exclusive for Meta Certificate holders.

How do you get certified? To get your certification, you must complete all 6 courses, the capstone project, and all included quizzes and assignments at the end of each module.

Is the Meta Social Media Marketing Certification worth it? This is the most popular and recognized Meta Certification. It is recommended by the American Council of Education (ACE) and provides you with up to 2 college credits if you want to pursue further studies.

6. Harvard Digital Marketing Strategy Program

The Harvard Extension School offers several professional development programs, including the Digital Marketing Strategy Program.

This program is ideal for executives, mid-level marketers, and professional marketers who want to understand the big picture of designing and executing a digital marketing strategy. Participants need to have prior knowledge of how digital and social media platforms work.

What you should know about Harvard’s certificate is the following:

• It’s not an online course. It’s a 5-day intensive classroom training course taking place at Harvard University Campus, Massachusetts.
• You need to pre-register for this training (they offer multiple registration dates for 2023).
• It comes with a certificate of completion and not a certification. In other words, by completing this program, you won’t be awarded a Harvard digital marketing degree but a certificate of attending the particular program.
• It is offered by Harvard extension school and not directly from Harvard University.

What is included?

This program is all about digital marketing strategies. It’s not for beginners or those seeking hands-on experience with digital marketing. It’s a program aimed at marketers and company executives who want to understand how they can incorporate digital marketing channels into their marketing campaigns.

It does cover a wide range of topics like SEO, Search engine marketing, influencer marketing, social media advertising, and content marketing.

How do you get certified? You will earn a certificate for attending the Digital marketing strategy program.

Is the Harvard digital marketing certification worth it? Yes, if you already work for a big company and want to get ideas on using digital marketing in your organization. The program is taught by professional digital marketers with experience in business digital marketing.

7. Duke Digital Media and Marketing Certificate

Duke University is based in North Carolina and offers the Digital Media and Marketing Certificate through the Duke Continuing Studies division. The DCS offers a wide range of certifications through online training.

This certification is for students new to the digital marketing industry and more experienced online marketers.

All students have to complete the Digital Marketing Certified Associate (DMCA) module, which is the introduction to digital marketing, and then they can select to enroll in any of the following courses:

• Advanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• Advanced PPC (Pay-Per-Click Advertising)
• Advanced Social Media Marketing
• Advanced Mobile Marketing
• Advanced Content Marketing
• Advanced Web Analytics
• Advanced Conversion Optimization
• Advanced Email Marketing

What you should know about this online certificate program is the following:

• You get access to the course material for a period of 12 months only. The estimated learning period is about 350 hours, so if you want to go through all courses before the end of your subscription, you should allocate at least 10 hours per week.
• Courses are not taught by Duke University faculty, but they are delivered by SimpliLearn.
• You get no refund. Unlike other academies, you’re not allowed to request a refund if you’re not happy with the course material.
• The DMCA module is mandatory, so you need to complete that first and then continue with the rest of the courses.

How do you get certified? There are three certifications you can achieve:

Certificate of Completion: You need to complete the basic course and at least 6 of the advanced courses. You also need to attain a minimum score of 80% on one of the offered tests for each course.

Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCA and OMCP): By following this course, you can potentially achieve the OMCA and OMCP certifications. These certificates are awarded by the Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) organization. It should be noted that the exams for getting the OMCA and OMCP certifications are not included in the course price.

Is the Duke marketing certificate worth it? It’s a comprehensive program that covers all areas of digital marketing, but it also has three issues. Limited time access, no refunds, and to get certified, you need to attend external exams.

8. DMI Digital Marketing Pro Certificate

The Digital Marketing Institute was founded in 2009 and is one of the leaders in digital marketing training. They offer several diplomas and certifications covering various digital marketing areas.

Their DMI Pro certificate includes 30 hours of online training covering the following digital marketing disciplines:

• Introduction to Digital Marketing
• Content Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Paid Search (PPC) using Google Ads
• Display and Video Advertising
• Email Marketing
• Website Optimization
• Analytics with Google Analytics
• Digital Marketing Strategy

What you should know about the Digital Marketing Insitute DMI Pro certificate is the following:

• This digital marketing certificate is a practical course designed to help you improve your online marketing campaigns.
• It’s suitable for beginners, traditional marketers, IT managers, small business owners, and startups.
• They offer a 14-day refund, provided the program has not been accessed.
• The classes are taught by instructors with real digital backgrounds (the names and experiences of the instructors are not specified though).

How do you get certified? You need to pass one exam (3 hours) administered by Pearson Vue via its global network of test centers. The cost of the exam is included in the course price.

Is the DMI Pro certificate worth it? There are many benefits to gain by enrolling in this certificate program. You’ll get a globally recognized digital marketing certificate, the course covers all the important digital marketing channels and you’ll also get good support (exam preparation questions and other resources).

The downside is that you don’t get a money-back guarantee based on course satisfaction. If you register and find out that the material is too basic or you’re not happy about it, you won’t get a refund.

9. OMCP Digital Marketing Certification

The OMCP Digital Marketing Certification is offered by the Online Marketing Certified Professional organization. OMCP does not provide training but the standards and requirements for becoming a certified digital marketer.

What you need to know about OMCP is the following:

They offer two online marketing certifications, the OMCA Certification for Digital Marketers and the OMCP Digital Marketing Certification.

The OMCA is for non-experienced digital marketers, and it’s the first step in obtaining their premium certificate (OMCP).

To achieve the OMCA, you need to:

• Pass the OMCA exam
• Be a holder of a secondary degree or equivalent (e.g., High School diploma or GED)
• And have at least 600 hours of experience with online marketing OR complete one of the digital marketing approved courses.

How do you get certified for OMCP? 

To become OMCP certified, you need to:

• Pass the OMCP exam
• And prove that you have 5,000 hours of experience OR a post-secondary degree plus 2,000 hours of experience OR completion of an approved digital marketing course plus 1,000 hours of experience.

The OMCP Exam

The exam can be taken online, and it costs $395. It’s a multiple-choice exam that takes about 2:15 hours to complete. Online marketing disciplines included are:

• Content Marketing
• Conversion Rate Optimization
• Email Marketing
• Mobile Marketing
• Paid Search (PPC)
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Social Media Marketing
• Digital Analytics

Once you pass the exam, you must create an account with OMCP and upload proof of your experience and other credential needs. OMCP will review the documents, and you’ll be awarded the Digital marketing certificate.

Is the OMCP certification worth it? It depends on what your goals are. If you want to get a globally recognized certification, then this is a good choice. For those working in big companies who want to show off their credentials, being OMCP certified will help you stand out from the crowd.

But it won’t help you become a better digital marketer. The process is complicated, and to maintain your certification status, you’ll have to renew it every two years. When you start working in the digital marketing industry, the last thing you want to do is spend time trying to keep your certification up-to-date.

10. LinkedIn Digital Marketing Certificate

LinkedIn Learning was created after Microsoft acquired Lynda. The platform is subscription-based (similar to Coursera and Udemy). You pay a monthly fee and can access any online courses in their library.

Unlike Reliablesoft Academy and Digital Marketing Institute, they do not provide digital marketing training only, but they offer training in several areas. They combine several courses together to form a learning path.

‘The Become a Digital Marketer’ learning path will help you learn the fundamentals of online marketing, SEO, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing and analytics.

The following courses are included:

• Digital Marketing Foundations
• Marketing Foundations
• SEO Foundations
• Social Media Marketing Foundations
• Content Marketing Foundations
• Email and Newsletter Marketing Foundations
• Marketing Foundations: Analytics
• Marketing Foundations: eCommerce
• Marketing Foundations: Customer Decision Journey

How do you get certified? You get a certificate of completion for each course.

Is it worth taking LinkedIn Learning training courses? The nice thing about LinkedIn digital marketing training is that some courses are taught by reputable and experienced digital marketers. Learning from experts who work in the industry is much more valuable than learning from University teachers with no real hands-on experience.

The downside is that their learning paths are made of courses that have no relation between them. In other words, you lose the advantage of structured learning offered by a dedicated digital marketing bundle created by the same academy or instructors.

11. PCM Digital Marketing Certification

The American Marketing Association (AMA) was established in 1953. It is a membership-based community for marketing professionals across North America.

The AMA offers two marketing certifications in cooperation with the Digital Marketing Insitute. The PCM Digital Marketing Certification and the Certified Digital Marketing Professional (DMI Pro).

How do you get AMA certified? The AMA does not provide training or an exam; to achieve both certifications, you must pass the DMI Pro certification exam offered by the Digital Marketing Institute.

Is the AMA certification worth it? The AMA certification alone is no longer available as a standalone certification, but it’s awarded to students who pass the DMI Pro exam. DMI Pro is a globally recognized certificate worth pursuing.

12. Google Ads Marketing Certification

Google Ads is the most popular online advertising platform, and all marketing professionals must have good knowledge and hands-on experience.

Google offers six Google Ads marketing certifications through Google Skillshop. All certificate programs are free, and you can use Skillshop online courses and other resources to prepare for the exams.

How do you get certified? To get certified, you need to pass one online exam. The exam is free and is available through the Skillshop platform. All exams use the multiple-choice format and include around 50 questions.

Is Google Ads certification worth it? It’s undoubtedly one of the certifications that should not be missing from your CV. Besides helping you improve your marketing skills, being certified is part of the Google Partners Program for agencies.

If you own a digital marketing agency, you need this to become a Google Partner. If you are an employee looking for a job, it will make you attractive to future employers.

13. Brainstation Digital Marketing Certification

The BrainStation Digital Marketing Certificate is an online instructor-led program for those who want to build job-ready marketing skills.

The program runs at pre-defined dates during the year, and you can attend online or in-person at any of BrainStation’s campuses.

This certificate program includes the following topics:

• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Search Engine Marketing
• Marketing Analytics
• Social Media Marketing
• Email Marketing

What you should know about this program is the following:

• The course duration is 6 weeks, and the cost is $3250.
• The course material covers all the latest digital marketing techniques
• The instructors are experienced marketing professionals working in the field
• It’s a beginner-friendly course

How do you get certified? Upon completing the course, you’ll receive an industry-recognized professional certificate to share with your network and showcase on your CV.

Is Brainstation Digital Marketing Certification worth it? It’s one of the most expensive programs on our list, but it’s regularly updated, delivered by industry professionals and recognized worldwide.

14. Google Analytics 4 Certification

The Google Analytics Certification is a free marketing certificate offered by Google. It covers basic and advanced Google Analytics 4 concepts like reporting, conversion tracking, and audiences.

You can prepare for the exam using Google resources or third-party courses.

The exam is free and can be taken online. It includes 70 questions, and you have 90 minutes to complete them. The exam features a mixture of multiple-choice and true-and-false questions. The passing score is 80%.

How do you get certified? To get a Google Analytics 4 certification, you must sign up for a Google Skillshop account and prepare using the courses provided by Analytics Academy.

Is Google Analytics certification worth it? Obtaining the Google Analytics Certification is certainly worth it. The biggest advantage of being certified is the analytics skills you will develop while preparing for the certification exam.

You will become an expert in Google Analytics, and help you become a better digital marketer whether you are working with SEO, PPC, or content marketing.

15. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate will not teach you digital marketing, but with the volume of data that digital marketers have to process, it is one of the most valuable certifications to pursue these days.

It’s a beginner-friendly certification and can be followed by anyone without prior data analytics experience. The program includes 8 courses and takes 8 months to complete on average.

The lessons cover topics related to data analysis and data visualization.

What you should know about this program is the following:

• Google offers an Advanced Data Analytics Certification you can follow after completing this course. This will open the doors for high-salary jobs.
• You can complete the course faster if you study more than 10 hours per week.
• Upon completion, you also get 12 college credits recognized by the ACE (the equivalent of 4 college courses at the bachelor’s degree level).

How do you get certified? To achieve the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, you must finish the eight courses, including all marked assessments.

Is Google Data Analytics certification worth it? It’s an entry-level certification that is not hard to get. It’s one of the most in-demand entry-level certifications to pursue that guarantees employment.

What is a Digital Marketing Certificate?

A digital marketing certification is awarded to individuals upon completing the requirements of an online digital marketing course. It’s a way to verify the skills and education of the holder about digital marketing techniques and strategies.

Certified marketers can use the certification to distinguish themselves from other marketers and increase their chances of getting hired.

A digital marketing certificate is not the same as a digital marketing degree. You can get a degree in digital marketing by attending a regular university program (classroom training, usually four years) and obtaining a bachelor’s or a Master’s.

How Much Do Digital Marketing Certifications Cost?

A digital marketing certificate costs between $119 and $5,995. Some certificates come with a monthly subscription.

To help you decide the best digital marketing certificate for your needs, here is a comparison table showing the cost of a digital marketing certification in 2023.

Is a Digital Marketing Certificate Worth It?

Pursuing a digital marketing certification is worth it. The benefits and value of becoming a certified digital marketer are:

It’s the best way to learn digital marketing on your own.

Digital marketing certifications are a great way to learn digital marketing on your own. Instead of spending your time looking for clues on how the different pieces that make up digital marketing work together, you can enroll in an online marketing course and get a structured education.

Get a plan to follow.

Good courses come with a learning plan and step-by-step instructions, making learning faster and more effective than reading random blog posts or watching unrelated YouTube videos.

Learn from the experts.

When you enroll in an online marketing certificate program taught by experienced digital marketers, you’ll learn the theory of digital marketing and how it can be applied to practice.

Digital marketing is a highly practical discipline, and trainers who have years of working experience in the industry can teach what you need to know and not what you should know.

Prove your professional skills.

Getting a digital marketing certification does not automatically make you an expert, but it’s a step in the right direction. To become an expert, you must have years of experience with digital marketing campaigns and success stories to share.

If you’re starting now and have no working experience, a certificate shows potential employers and clients that you have the necessary skills and determination to become a successful digital marketing specialist. It’s a great asset to your CV and your career.

Stay on top of new developments.

Popular certification programs are updated regularly to include the latest digital marketing trends and practices. When you enroll in a program, ensure the material has been updated recently.

Can I Get a Digital Marketing Certification Online?

There are many ways you can get a digital marketing certificate, including online training. Most of the certifications listed above are taught using online on-demand training. This means you can follow the lessons online at your own pace and time.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Digital Marketing Certificate?

Becoming a certified digital marketing professional is the first step toward starting a career in digital marketing. But, as mentioned above, a certificate alone does not make you a digital marketing expert.

To become a digital marketing expert, go after top-level jobs, and earn a higher salary, you need both certification + experience.

So, with a marketing certification or a digital marketing degree, you can get an entry-level digital marketing job and work as:

• Digital Marketing Manager
• Digital Marketing Specialist
• Content Marketing Specialist
• SEO Specialist
• Social Media Manager
• Email Marketing Manager
• SEM Marketing Manager
• PPC Manager
• Conversion Optimization Specialist

The average salary for digital marketing specialists in the US (based on years of experience) is the following:

• 0-1 Years of Experience: $53K
• 1-3 Years of Experience: $57K
• 4-6 Years of Experience: $68K

Where can you find entry-level digital marketing jobs?

• You can apply to work for a Digital marketing agency (search for digital marketing agencies on Google and look for a Careers page).
• You can start a digital marketing agency and offer digital marketing services to clients.
• You can become a digital marketing freelancer and apply for digital marketing jobs through Upwork, Flex Jobs, Glassdoor, and Angel List.

Tips For Choosing a Digital Marketing Certification

Here are some tips to consider when selecting which digital marketing certificate to pursue:

The price of a course/certificate does not always reflect the value you can get – Online academies price their courses based on several factors (size of a company, reputation, running expenses, etc.), and this can sometimes increase the price you’ll have to pay for a course but not the value you get.

Look for a decent refund option – There is the possibility that after you register for a certificate program, you will realize that this is not what you wanted. You need to be able to get your money back. Reliablesoft Academy (60-day money-back guarantee) and Coursera (7 days) are the only academies offering good refund options.

Register for a course you can use as a reference – Learning digital marketing is not a once-off process. Watching videos alone is not enough because, most probably, you’ll forget what you’ve learned in a lesson after a short period. You need a course with good structure, text, and video material to reference while working on your campaigns.

Good luck with your digital marketing learning efforts!