Comments on: Introducing Google AdWords Certified Partners. Google Advertising Professional Program is being shut down.

By: Brad Geddes aka eWhisper

Brad Geddes aka eWhisper — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:27:33 +0000

Mike,

So far there’s nothing from Google about the other logos that exist (Seminar trainer, analytics, website optimizer, etc). However, I doubt they will support two very looking logos and programs so I’d expect them to go to one look eventually.

I think the biggest question will be on the analytics front. As with Google Qualified Company (which is gone) one had to prove $100k/quarter in spend. With the one analytics logo – you have to prove 3 clients who pay for analytics. Will this go away making this logo easier to get as well?

So far I don’t know – but wouldn’t surprise me.

By: mike

mike — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:50:59 +0000

Brad – thanks for the post & update.
Yes I think ‘hard & fair’ sums the tests up pretty well. Certainly a practical knowledge is required – this isn’t like the old exams that you could pass by having the help centre open in another window!

I noticed the Certified Training Partner badge – is this going to replace the Seminar Leader or S4S program?
Any details anywhere about this?

(The book’s great too by the way. Great to see that much detail in an AdWords book… we’re looking forward to CK launch…)

Cheers,
Mike

By: Die neue Adwords Zertifizierung – ein erster Erfahrungsbericht

Die neue Adwords Zertifizierung – ein erster Erfahrungsbericht — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:13:31 +0000

[...] Brad Geddes hat über die neuen Prüfungen geschrieben: Expect to see a lot of posts about the new tests. The toughness of the new advanced tests (I haven’t taken any yet – I’m hoping they are *hard* and fair). [...]

By: Brian Blades

Brian Blades — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:33:42 +0000

I’ve always said that the recognition of the GAP and GAC brand was undervalued. Google never wanted to go too far out on a limb for the agencies in terms of promoting their proficiencies and what they’re capable of doing for those that have failed with AdWords in the past.

I think they can at least start with giving some better information in the certificate about what the qualification really means. It should explain in some manner of detail that this individual or company has demonstrated an advanced level of understanding and experience that is will help others achieve better success. Right now it just says you passed a test and have spent some money… can’t imagine that instills a lot of confidence in people.

My other comment on tiers would to simply put it into a situation of accounts under management, spend requirements, years of being a GAP, or some combination of them. Passing a basic exam and spending a few dollars a month doesn’t come close to exemplifying the level of experience that agencies like ourselves have over others in the field. I think Google has some level of responsibility to its advertisers to provide that information.

By: Brad Geddes aka eWhisper

Brad Geddes aka eWhisper — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:19:57 +0000

I had a conversation with Google yesterday about your very concern. I think its a very valid one.

It seems that their primary purpose is to make the qualification harder; yet easier for anyone to get spend wise. The second purpose was to make things easier for consumers to understand.

Well – if consumers don’t know it exists then it can’t be complex. One of my issues has always been that they don’t push this program enough for those who tried AdWords and failed or those who don’t want to do it.

But then again, what should they do (for their conversions) show that it’s 5 minutes to set up or focus on showing how hard it is and that you need to hire someone?

Its the reseller/qualified company marketplace that I personally think needs a bit more definition/badge/recogonition right now.

By: Silvio

Silvio — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:01:30 +0000

I’ve taken both exams, and I’ll say the exams are a bit more difficult than the previous GAP, 120 questions, 2 hours, and the pass rate is now 85%. The Advanced exam requires a good knowledge of Adwords, but I think is hard and fair.

Great post, and I couldn’t agree more with all your points.

I look forward to reading your book which I would strongly recommend to anyone who wants to further his advanced Adwords knowledge.

By: Brian Blades

Brian Blades — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:37:29 +0000

Don’t think I agree with this approach by Google. We were previously an AdWords Reseller before it was cancelled, then relegated to “Company” status. With millions of dollars per year and hundreds of accounts under management, we’ve now been put in the same category as lesser experienced agencies. Because we use our Qualified Company status in much of our advertising material, I’m afraid of what impact this may have on our potential clients deciphering the difference of proficiency between us and our competitors. I brought this scenario up to our rep when they cancelled the Reseller program and they understood our concerns, but apparently haven’t found a solution.

By: Brad Geddes aka eWhisper

Brad Geddes aka eWhisper — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:22:48 +0000

You’re current certification is good for 6 months; so I’d just wait until you have to take it so all the random changes are fleshed out first.

The certifications don’t mean much unless consumers know about them – and that’s always been the issue – general consumer awareness.

By: David

David — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:29:57 +0000

So i went to all the trouble of doing the agencyland training and i thought you would get some little badge or something useful out of it, but nothing…

I finally got around to getting my adCenter adExcellence exam done today, is there any point doing the new AdWords exam or just wait until they finish the changes?

I agree with your points about the requirements for higher level spends that sit somewhere between AdWords Company and AdWords Resellers but they need to get back into educating the consumers about the programs before they add more badges.