Top 10 Social Media Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for social media managers in the job market as they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has a strong knowledge base of social media strategies and best practices. They also show that the individual is committed to staying on top of industry trends and technologies, as well as being proficient in certain platforms. Having a certification can help increase an applicant’s chances of getting hired, as it provides evidence of their expertise and experience. Additionally, certifications can help social media managers stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Social Media Managers and explains how they can help propel a social media manager's career.

What are Social Media Manager Certifications?

Social media manager certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and proficiency in managing social media accounts, campaigns, and strategies. This certification provides employers with the assurance that a candidate knows how to effectively manage their company’s online presence across multiple platforms. It also allows professionals to demonstrate their expertise in creating and executing effective social media marketing plans.

The benefits of obtaining a Social Media Manager Certification are numerous. It can provide employers with the assurance that they are hiring someone who is knowledgeable about the latest best practices for managing social media accounts, campaigns, and strategies. Professionals who have earned this certification also demonstrate their commitment to staying up-to-date on industry trends and developments. Additionally, having this certification can help professionals stand out from other job candidates when applying for positions as it shows employers that they have taken the time to invest in their professional development. Finally, obtaining this certification could open up new job opportunities or allow professionals to seek higher salaries within their current position.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a social media manager certification program, make sure to research the company offering the course and read reviews from previous students. This will help you to ensure that you are receiving quality training and have a better understanding of what to expect from the program.

Related: What does a Social Media Manager do?

Top 10 Social Media Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Social Media Managers today.

1. Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification

Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification is a certification program that provides professionals with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage social media campaigns. It is designed to help you understand the fundamentals of social media marketing, develop an effective strategy, and create engaging content. The certification consists of four modules: Introduction to Social Media, Social Media Strategy, Content Creation & Engagement, and Measurement & Insights. Each module includes video lessons, quizzes, case studies, and other resources to help you learn the material.

The certification program takes approximately 4 hours to complete. You can access the course materials online at any time and work at your own pace. Once you have completed all four modules and passed the final assessment with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification.

To get certified, you must first sign up for a free Hootsuite account. Once registered, you can access the course materials by logging into your account and navigating to “Social Media Certification” in the left-hand menu bar. From there you can begin working through each module until completion.

The cost of the Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification is $199 USD per person or $99 USD per person if purchased in bulk (5+ people). This fee includes access to all course materials as well as a certificate upon successful completion of the program.

2. Facebook Blueprint Certification

Facebook Blueprint Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using Facebook's suite of products for business and marketing purposes. The program covers topics such as creating effective campaigns, managing budgets, optimizing ads, and leveraging insights.

The certification process takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks to complete. To get certified, you must first register with the Facebook Blueprint website and complete the online training modules. These modules cover topics such as campaign creation, budget management, ad optimization, and analytics. Once you have completed all of the modules, you will be able to take a final exam that tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course.

The cost of Facebook Blueprint Certification varies depending on the type of certification you are seeking. The basic level certification costs $150 USD per person while the advanced level certification costs $300 USD per person. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking proctored exams or attending instructor-led courses.

3. Twitter Flight School Certification

Twitter Flight School Certification is an online certification program that teaches marketers how to use Twitter Ads and best practices for running successful campaigns. It consists of four courses: Introduction to Twitter Ads, Advanced Targeting, Measurement & Optimization, and Creative Best Practices. The courses are self-paced and can be completed in about three hours.

To get certified, you must complete all four courses with a score of 80% or higher on each course's final assessment. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate of completion from Twitter Flight School.

The cost of the certification is free; however, you may need to pay for any advertising costs associated with the coursework if you choose to run ads as part of your learning experience.

4. Google Ads and Analytics Certifications

Google Ads and Analytics Certifications are professional certifications that demonstrate proficiency in Google Ads and Google Analytics. The certifications are designed to help digital marketers, advertisers, and business owners understand how to use Google Ads and Analytics to drive better results for their businesses.

To get certified, you need to pass two exams: the Google Ads Fundamentals Exam and either the Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Video Advertising, Shopping Advertising or Mobile Advertising exam. Each exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes around 90 minutes to complete.

The cost of the certification exams is $50 USD per exam. There is no time limit for completing the certification exams; however, it typically takes around 2–3 weeks to complete both exams.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive a certificate from Google that shows your mastery of the material covered in the exams. Your certificate will be valid for one year after which you will need to retake the exams if you wish to maintain your certification status.

5. LinkedIn Social Selling Certification

LinkedIn Social Selling Certification is a program that helps sales professionals learn how to use LinkedIn as an effective tool for prospecting, networking, and building relationships. It is designed to help salespeople become more successful in using the social platform to find and engage with their target customers. The certification consists of five courses: Introduction to Social Selling, Building Your Professional Brand, Finding the Right People, Engaging with Insights, and Closing Deals. Each course takes approximately one hour to complete and can be taken at any time.

In order to receive the certification, you must pass all five courses with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have passed all five courses, you will be awarded the LinkedIn Social Selling Certification badge on your profile page. This badge serves as proof that you are a certified social seller on LinkedIn.

The cost of obtaining the certification varies depending on where you take it from. Generally speaking, most online programs charge a fee ranging from $99-$299 USD for the full course package.

6. YouTube Certified Professional Program

The YouTube Certified Professional Program is a comprehensive certification program designed to help content creators, marketers, and agencies understand the complexities of YouTube and maximize their success on the platform. The program consists of two levels: Creator and Agency.

Creator Level: This level is designed for individuals who are looking to create, optimize, and grow their presence on YouTube. It covers topics such as video production, channel optimization, audience growth strategies, and more. To get certified at this level, you must complete the online course in 6-8 hours and pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher. The cost for this level is $99 USD.

Agency Level: This level is designed for agencies that manage multiple YouTube channels or campaigns for their clients. It covers topics such as account management best practices, advanced analytics techniques, monetization strategies, and more. To get certified at this level, you must complete the online course in 12-15 hours and pass an exam with a score of 85% or higher. The cost for this level is $199 USD.

Once you have completed the certification process successfully, you will receive a digital badge that can be displayed on your website or social media profiles to show potential clients that you are a certified professional on YouTube. You will also be eligible to join the private Facebook group of other certified professionals where you can network with peers and gain access to exclusive resources from YouTube experts.

7. Instagram Partner Program

The Instagram Partner Program is a program that allows businesses to get access to more advanced features, analytics, and tools to help them better manage their presence on Instagram. It also provides access to a dedicated team of experts who can help with strategy, content creation, and optimization.

To get started with the Instagram Partner Program, you’ll need to complete an application form and provide information about your business. Once your application is approved, you’ll be able to access the partner dashboard and begin using the additional features.

The process typically takes about two weeks from when you submit your application until you’re approved for the program. There is no cost associated with joining the Instagram Partner Program; however, some of the features may require additional fees or subscriptions.

Once you’re part of the program, you’ll have access to exclusive insights into how people are interacting with your brand on Instagram as well as tools that can help you optimize your content for maximum engagement. You’ll also be able to take advantage of special offers from partners like Adobe Creative Cloud and Hootsuite Pro.

8. Pinterest Analytics and Advertising Certifications

Pinterest Analytics and Advertising Certifications are a way for businesses to demonstrate their expertise in using Pinterest as an advertising platform. The certifications are offered by Pinterest and provide businesses with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively use the platform to reach their target audiences.

The certification consists of two parts: the Pinterest Analytics Certification and the Pinterest Advertising Certification. Both certifications require a minimum of 10 hours of study time, which can be completed at your own pace. To get certified, you must successfully pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost for each certification is $99 USD, but if you purchase both together, you will receive a discounted rate of $149 USD.

To get started, you'll need to create an account on the Pinterest Learning Center and then enroll in either the Analytics or Advertising course. Once enrolled, you'll have access to all of the course materials needed to complete each exam including videos, practice tests, and quizzes. After completing both exams, you'll receive your official certificate from Pinterest that will be valid for one year from the date it was issued.

9. Snapchat Partner Program

The Snapchat Partner Program is a program designed to help businesses and brands increase their presence on the Snapchat platform. The program provides access to tools, resources, and support to help partners create content that resonates with their audience.

It takes approximately four weeks to get approved for the Snapchat Partner Program. To get started, you must submit an application that includes details about your business and your plans for using Snapchat. Once you are approved, you will receive access to the Partner Portal where you can manage your account and access additional resources.

There is no cost associated with joining the Snapchat Partner Program. However, there may be costs associated with creating content or running ads on the platform.

Once accepted into the program, partners have access to a range of benefits including:

• Access to exclusive tools and resources for creating content
• A dedicated partner manager who can provide advice on how to best use the platform
• Priority support from Snapchat’s team of experts
• Early access to new features before they are released publicly
• Access to analytics data so you can track performance metrics

10. Microsoft Ads Accredited Professional

Microsoft Ads Accredited Professional is a certification program offered by Microsoft that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the use of Microsoft Advertising products and services. The certification is intended to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of Microsoft Ads, including campaign setup, optimization, reporting, and troubleshooting.

The Microsoft Ads Accredited Professional exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To earn the certification, you must score 70% or higher on the exam.

To get certified as a Microsoft Ads Accredited Professional, you must first register for an account with Microsoft Advertising Certification Program. After registering, you can access the training materials for free and take the exam at any time.

The cost for taking the exam is $99 USD.

Do You Really Need a Social Media Manager Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a social media manager certificate to be successful in the field of social media management. While there are some courses and certifications available that may provide helpful insight into the profession, they are not essential for success as a social media manager.

Social media managers must possess a variety of skills and knowledge, including an understanding of marketing principles and strategies, knowledge of current trends in digital communication platforms, the ability to create engaging content, and strong interpersonal skills. All of these can be learned through experience or self-education.

That being said, having a certificate or degree in social media management can be beneficial for those looking to enter the field or advance their career. Certificates show employers that you have taken the time to learn about the profession and have invested in your professional development. They also demonstrate that you are committed to staying up-to-date on industry trends and strategies.

Ultimately, whether or not you choose to pursue a certificate or degree in social media management is up to you. It all depends on your goals, budget, and prior experience in the field. If you feel confident that you can use your existing skills and knowledge to succeed as a social media manager without additional formal training then it may not be necessary for you to pursue a certificate. However, if you feel like having more formal training could help you stand out from other applicants or give your career an edge then it might be worth considering investing in one of these programs.

Related: Social Media Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Social Media Manager Certifications

1. What is a Social Media Manager Certification?

Answer: A Social Media Manager Certification is a formal recognition of the skills and expertise required to effectively manage social media accounts. It proves that an individual has the necessary knowledge and experience to develop successful social media campaigns, monitor conversations, create content, measure results, and stay up-to-date on industry trends.

2. How long does it take to get a Social Media Manager Certification?

Answer: The length of time it takes to obtain a Social Media Manager Certification depends on the specific program you choose. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed in six months or less.

3. What are the benefits of having a Social Media Manager Certification?

Answer: Having a Social Media Manager Certification demonstrates to potential employers and clients that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their social media accounts effectively. It also provides credibility within the industry and may lead to more job opportunities or higher pay rates for freelance work.

4. Is there an exam associated with getting certified?

Answer: Yes, most certification programs require applicants to pass an exam in order to become certified. The content of these exams varies depending on the program but generally includes topics such as best practices for managing social media accounts, creating effective content strategies, measuring success, etc.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, some certification programs may require applicants to have prior experience with social media management or related fields before they can apply for certification. Additionally, many programs require applicants to have basic computer skills such as proficiency with Microsoft Office applications or HTML coding ability.