Top 10 Content Strategist Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a content strategist’s resume in the job market. Having certifications shows employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the role. They demonstrate your commitment to professional development, and they can give you an edge over other applicants who don’t have certifications. Certifications also provide proof that you understand the fundamentals of content strategy, as well as best practices and strategies for developing effective content. Additionally, certifications can help you stand out in a competitive job market by showing employers that you are dedicated to staying up-to-date on industry trends and developments.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Content Strategists and explains how they can help to advance a content strategist's career.

What are Content Strategist Certifications?

Content strategist certification is a specialized form of professional certification that validates an individual's expertise in the field of content strategy. Content strategists are responsible for developing and managing digital content strategies that drive customer engagement and serve business objectives. By obtaining content strategist certification, individuals can demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of effective content strategy, as well as gain recognition from employers, colleagues, and other stakeholders for their expertise.

Content strategist certification programs typically include coursework in topics such as: research methods; analytics; metrics; user experience design; marketing and communications; search engine optimization (SEO); social media management; project management; writing for digital media; legal considerations in content production; and more. Additionally, many programs offer practical training in the development of content plans, creation of editorial calendars, conducting audits to assess existing content assets, strategic use of keywords to maximize SEO results, developing customer personas and journey maps to inform content decisions, curating relevant external sources to inform and supplement internal efforts, creating workflows to ensure consistency across channels, etc.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can develop a comprehensive understanding of all facets involved in successful content strategy implementation. This can help them to become more efficient at executing tasks related to their role as a content strategist or manager. Furthermore, it may help them stand out from other candidates when applying for roles within the field or seeking promotions or increased responsibility within their current position.

Pro Tip: Consider taking a content strategist certification course to strengthen your understanding of the content strategy process, from research and analysis to the development of effective strategies. This can help you stay ahead of industry trends and give you an edge in the job market.

Related: What does a Content Strategist do?

Top 10 Content Strategist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Content Strategists today.

1. Certified Content Strategist (CCS)

Certified Content Strategist (CCS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of content strategists. It is offered by the Content Strategy Alliance, an international non-profit organization that promotes the profession of content strategy.

To become certified, candidates must demonstrate their knowledge and experience in content strategy through a rigorous assessment process. This includes completing a written exam, taking part in a panel interview, and submitting a portfolio of work samples. The assessment process typically takes about two months to complete.

The cost for the CCS certification program varies depending on the country where you are located. In the United States, it costs $1,000 USD for members of the Content Strategy Alliance and $1,500 USD for non-members.

Once you have successfully completed all components of the assessment process, you will receive your CCS certificate and be listed in the Certified Content Strategists directory on the Content Strategy Alliance website.

2. Certified Professional Content Strategist (CPCS)

Certified Professional Content Strategist (CPCS) is a certification program designed to help content professionals demonstrate their expertise in the field of content strategy. The CPCS certification is offered by the Content Strategy Alliance, an organization dedicated to advancing the practice of content strategy through education, research and advocacy.

The CPCS certification is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of content strategy, including planning, creating, managing, measuring and optimizing content. It includes topics such as audience analysis, content governance, search engine optimization (SEO), storytelling and analytics. The program also focuses on developing skills related to collaboration and communication with stakeholders in order to create effective strategies for delivering meaningful experiences for customers.

It takes approximately six months to complete the CPCS certification program. The program consists of three components: self-study modules, online assessments and a final exam. The self-study modules cover topics such as audience analysis, content governance and SEO fundamentals. The online assessments are designed to test knowledge acquired from the self-study modules and assess understanding of key concepts related to content strategy. Finally, the final exam is a multiple choice exam that tests knowledge gained throughout the entire program.

The cost of the CPCS certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or in person. For those taking it online, it costs $1,495 USD plus applicable taxes; for those taking it in person at one of our partner locations around the world, it costs $2,495 USD plus applicable taxes.

3. Certified Digital Content Strategist (CDCS)

A Certified Digital Content Strategist (CDCS) is a professional credential that demonstrates expertise in the field of digital content strategy. This certification is offered by the Digital Content Strategy Association (DCSA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the practice of digital content strategy.

To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by DCSA. The exam consists of multiple choice and essay questions covering topics such as content creation, content management, analytics, and user experience design. Candidates must also demonstrate knowledge of best practices for creating effective digital content strategies.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $195 USD. To prepare for the exam, DCSA offers online study materials, including practice tests and webinars. Additionally, DCSA recommends that candidates have at least three years of experience working with digital content strategies before attempting the certification exam.

Once certified, CDCSs are recognized as experts in their field and can use the designation to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to potential employers or clients.

4. Google Analytics Certification

Google Analytics Certification is a professional accreditation that Google offers to individuals who demonstrate proficiency in the use of its analytics platform. This certification is designed to help professionals show potential employers and clients that they have the skills and knowledge needed to effectively analyze website data and make informed decisions about digital marketing strategies.

The certification process consists of two parts: an assessment exam, which covers topics such as acquisition, behavior, conversions, and reporting; and a practical project. The assessment exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete, while the practical project takes up to seven days. To obtain the certification, applicants must pass both parts with a score of 80% or higher.

To get started on the certification process, applicants must first create a Google Partners account and link it to their Google Analytics account. Once they have done this, they can then register for the assessment exam and begin studying for it using resources provided by Google. After completing the assessment exam, applicants must submit their practical project for review by Google’s team of experts.

The cost of obtaining Google Analytics Certification varies depending on where you take your assessment exam and practical project. Generally speaking, taking the assessment exam through an authorized testing center will cost around $50-$100 USD while completing the practical project can cost anywhere from $200-$500 USD depending on how much time you spend on it.

5. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification

HubSpot Content Marketing Certification is an online course designed to help marketers learn the fundamentals of content marketing. It covers topics such as content strategy, content creation, content promotion, and more. The certification takes approximately 4 hours to complete and includes a final exam that must be passed in order to receive your certificate.

The cost of the certification is $199 USD and can be purchased through the HubSpot Academy website. Once you have completed the course and passed the final exam, you will receive your certification from HubSpot Academy. This certification is valid for one year from the date of completion and can be renewed for a fee of $99 USD each year thereafter.

The Content Marketing Certification is a great way for marketers to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of content marketing best practices, which can help them stand out in their field.

6. Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification

Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage social media accounts for businesses and organizations. The certification includes courses on topics such as content creation, analytics, social media strategy, and more.

The Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to Social Media Marketing, Advanced Social Media Strategies and Tactics, Content Creation for Social Media, and Analytics for Social Media. Each course takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete.

To get certified in Hootsuite’s Social Media Marketing Certification program, you must first register for an account on their website. Once registered, you can purchase the certification package which includes all four courses. The cost of the package is $399 USD.

Once purchased, you will have access to all four courses and can begin working through them at your own pace. Upon completion of all four courses (including passing the final exams), you will receive your Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification badge that can be displayed on your website or other online profiles.

7. Moz SEO Certification

Moz SEO Certification is an online certification program that provides comprehensive training on search engine optimization (SEO). It covers topics such as keyword research, link building, content optimization, technical SEO, and more. It is designed to help marketers and website owners understand how to improve their websites' visibility in organic search results.

The Moz SEO Certification program takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. It consists of a series of lessons and quizzes that cover the fundamentals of SEO and provide an understanding of the best practices for optimizing websites for search engines. The course also includes hands-on exercises to help participants apply what they have learned.

To get certified by Moz, you must first register for the course through their website. Once registered, you will be able to access the course materials and take the quizzes at your own pace. Upon completion of all the quizzes with a passing score, you will receive your certification from Moz.

The cost of the Moz SEO Certification program is $149 USD per person. This fee covers access to all course materials and quizzes as well as a certificate upon successful completion.

8. SEMrush SEO Toolkit Certification

SEMrush SEO Toolkit Certification is an online certification program that teaches you how to use SEMrush’s suite of tools to optimize your website for search engine optimization (SEO). It covers all aspects of SEO, from keyword research and competitor analysis, to technical audits and link building. The course is designed to help you become proficient in using SEMrush’s tools and gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of SEO.

The certification consists of three modules: Introduction to SEO, Advanced SEO Strategies, and Technical SEO. Each module contains several lessons and quizzes. The entire course takes approximately 8 hours to complete.

To get certified, you must pass all three modules with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have completed the course and passed the exams, you will receive your certificate via email within 1-2 weeks.

The cost for the certification is $199 USD per person.

9. Adobe Certified Expert in Digital Publishing Suite (ACE DPS)

Adobe Certified Expert in Digital Publishing Suite (ACE DPS) is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced competency in creating and managing digital publications using Adobe Digital Publishing Suite. The ACE DPS certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of the design, development, and deployment of digital publications using Adobe Digital Publishing Suite.

The ACE DPS exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. Applicants must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass and earn the certification.

In order to get certified as an ACE DPS, applicants must first register for the exam through the Adobe website. After registering, applicants can purchase vouchers for the exam from Pearson VUE or other authorized resellers. The cost of the voucher varies depending on where it is purchased, but typically ranges from $100-$150 USD.

Once an applicant has purchased a voucher, they can schedule their exam through Pearson VUE or another authorized testing center. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will be awarded with an official Adobe Certified Expert in Digital Publishing Suite certificate from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

10. Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign (ACE ID)

Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign (ACE ID) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in Adobe InDesign. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates expertise and confirms an individual’s ability to design, develop, and deliver professional documents using Adobe InDesign.

The ACE ID certification requires applicants to pass two exams: the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) exam and the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) exam. The ACA exam covers basic knowledge of InDesign features and tools, while the ACE exam tests more advanced skills such as creating complex documents, designing for print and digital output, and working with graphics, text, and tables.

It typically takes between one to three months to complete both exams depending on the individual's level of experience with InDesign. Applicants must also have access to the latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud applications in order to take the exams.

The cost of becoming an ACE ID varies depending on which country you are taking the exams from. Generally speaking, it costs around $180 USD for both exams combined.

Do You Really Need a Content Strategist Certificate?

Content strategy is an increasingly important part of modern marketing. It involves creating and managing content to meet specific business goals, such as increasing website traffic or improving customer engagement. As such, having a content strategist on your team can be invaluable. But do you really need a content strategist certificate?

The answer is both yes and no. A content strategist certificate may be beneficial if you want to demonstrate your knowledge of the subject and prove that you are qualified for the job. It can also help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in the field. However, it is not a requirement for success in this field. Many successful content strategists have achieved their success without any formal training or certification.

If you are serious about becoming a content strategist, though, taking courses and earning a certificate can certainly be beneficial. You will learn valuable lessons about how to create effective content strategies, understand user behavior and analyze data to make informed decisions about how to optimize your content for maximum impact. Having this knowledge can give you an edge over competitors who don’t have the same level of expertise.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a content strategist certificate depends on your own goals and ambitions within the field. If you are just starting out, then gaining some basic knowledge through courses or tutorials may be enough to get started with your career as a content strategist. But if you plan on pursuing more advanced roles in the industry, then obtaining a formal qualification may be worth considering.

Related: Content Strategist Resume Examples

FAQs About Content Strategist Certifications

Q1: What is a content strategist certification?

A1: Content strategist certification is a professional designation that recognizes an individual’s ability to create and execute effective content strategies. It is typically earned by completing a specialized course or program and passing an exam.

Q2: How do I become certified as a content strategist?

A2: To become certified as a content strategist, you must complete a specialized course or program and pass the corresponding exam. You may also need to demonstrate your skills through additional assessments or projects.

Q3: Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

A3: Depending on the certification program, there may be some prerequisites such as prior experience in content creation or marketing. Most programs will have detailed information about any prerequisites on their websites.

Q4: What are the benefits of becoming certified?

A4: Becoming certified as a content strategist can help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs, demonstrate your expertise in the field, and give you access to exclusive networking opportunities. Additionally, it can help you build credibility with employers and clients.

Q5: How long does it take to get certified?

A5: This depends on the program you choose; some certifications can be completed in less than three months while others may require up to one year of study and practice before taking the final exam.