Google AdWords Professionals Are Anything But…
May 18th, 2007
Time to get things off our chest…
It is our experience to steer clear of search engine marketers who boast badges with the Google AdWords Professional qualification.
Let’s be clear. We, at IMI Trust, love Google and so should you. It is the reigning champion of search and rightly so…however…
The Google AdWords Professional qualification can be earned if you, as a marketer spend $1,000 per month with Google. Some people spend much more than this in a day. Not because they are clever, or skilled in search engine marketing, but because they see the value in this type of advertising. As they have spent that dollar value they qualify as being a Google AdWords Professional. Can you begin to see where the issue lies?
There is no qualification in place and people can claim to be an endorsed professional. This fails in a number of ways.
- Punters that need help in Search Engine Advertising are looking for reassurance and expertise. The Google AdWords Professional provides neither, though the name alludes to the fact it does.
- Professionals who are great at Search Engine Marketing have more trouble finding work because they are competing with thousands of clowns who don’t know their KPI’s from their CPC’s.
- Google is diluting its brand by offering this nonsense award. Google do have other qualifications that are far more meaningful but as this is the easiest to achieve because you just have to spend dollars.
We are not against people becoming search engine advertising experts but if they claim to be experts there has to be more to it than that. Which reminds me…I’ve got an email to answer about claiming my Fijian Medical Degree.
May 26th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Well said. I hired a company whose sole business was Adwords so I thought they would be good at it. I have to say it was completely hit and miss what they offered.
With emphasis on missing rather than hitting. That said, I still like Adwords, I just wish there were more real AdWords Experts around.
May 31st, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Hey,
I have looked into an adwords qualification, and from what I read it is much more than what you have stated. For me (I live in Australia) I have to spend at least $100,000 every 3 months, and once I do that I have to take the exam, if I pass I then become qualified. So I am not sure where you heard you have to spend a $1000 a month and you auto get the qualification???
May 31st, 2007 at 4:57 pm
For a Google AdWords Professional it is only $1,000 per month. There are other more ‘worthy’ qualifications available with higher criteria like the one you speak of
What we are referring to is the lowest rung on the ladder, which is very easy to get on to.
Either way, good luck in your efforts on getting qualified.
June 27th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Okay I just signed up to get someone to look after my adwords. Since reading your blog I am a little worried. Suppose all I can do is see how it goes and hope for the best.
June 28th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Don’t be frightened Fiona. There are some people who know what they are doing.
Make sure you get reports from them about how they are spending your money.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Hello, Was searching Internet for Adwords Qualified Professional and found your posting . Really enjoyed reading your it and the comments! You really do know your stuff. Would love to exchange links with your sites. Regards!