Top 11 Social Media Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for social media specialists in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise. They show employers that the applicant has gone through formal training and can be trusted to handle their social media accounts. Certification courses also allow applicants to develop the skills necessary to excel in their role, such as understanding analytics, managing campaigns, and creating content. Having certifications also gives applicants an edge over other job candidates who don’t have them and can make a potential employer more confident in hiring them.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Social Media Specialists and explain how they can contribute to a social media specialist's career growth.

What are Social Media Specialist Certifications?

Social media specialist certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates an individual's proficiency in the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This type of certification helps individuals to stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs as it shows employers that they have specific knowledge and skills in this area.

A social media specialist certification can help to demonstrate a person’s knowledge and expertise in creating, managing, monitoring, and optimizing content on various digital platforms. It also shows employers that the individual has a working understanding of best practices related to digital marketing, including search engine optimization (SEO), content creation, analytics, and more. Furthermore, having this certification can help individuals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field.

Overall, obtaining a social media specialist certification can be extremely beneficial for those who are looking to enter or advance within the field of digital marketing. Not only does it show potential employers that you possess the necessary skills required for success in this field, but it also provides you with an opportunity to learn more about current trends and technologies related to digital marketing.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a social media specialist certification program, make sure to research the credentials of the institution and verify that it is accredited. Additionally, look into the individual trainers who are teaching the course and their areas of expertise. This will ensure that you are receiving quality education in the field of social media specialist certification.

Related: What does a Social Media Specialist do?

Top 11 Social Media Specialist Certifications

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

1. Hootsuite Social Media Certification

Hootsuite Social Media Certification is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in managing social media accounts and campaigns. The certification is offered by Hootsuite, a popular social media management platform.

The certification consists of an online course and exam that can be completed in approximately 4-6 hours. The course covers topics such as creating content, scheduling posts, measuring results, analyzing data, and more. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants receive a certificate of completion from Hootsuite University.

To get the certification, you must first sign up for the course on the Hootsuite website. After signing up, you will be directed to the learning portal where you can access the course materials and take the exam. Once you have completed the course and passed the exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your certificate via email.

The cost of the Hootsuite Social Media Certification varies depending on whether you are taking it as an individual or as part of a team. For individuals, it costs $199 USD; for teams (up to 5 people), it costs $599 USD.

2. Facebook Blueprint Certification

Facebook Blueprint Certification is a certification program offered by Facebook that recognizes professionals who have achieved mastery in the use of Facebook products and services. It is designed to help marketers better understand how to use the platform for their business objectives.

The certification consists of two levels: Core and Advanced. The Core level focuses on the basics of using Facebook, including setting up campaigns, creating ads, and understanding metrics. The Advanced level dives deeper into more complex topics such as targeting strategies, optimization techniques, and creative best practices.

The entire certification process takes approximately 4-6 weeks depending on the level you are pursuing. To get started, you must first register for an account with Facebook Blueprint and then take an assessment exam to determine your current knowledge level. Once you have passed the assessment exam, you will be able to access course materials and begin studying for the certification exams.

The cost of each certification varies depending on which one you are pursuing but typically ranges from $50-$200 USD per exam.

3. Twitter Flight School Certification

Twitter Flight School Certification is a program that provides training and certification for marketers who want to become experts in Twitter advertising. It is designed to help marketers develop the skills and knowledge needed to create successful campaigns on the platform. The program consists of three courses: Twitter Advertising Fundamentals, Advanced Twitter Advertising Strategies, and Measurement & Optimization. Each course takes approximately four hours to complete, so it should take around 12 hours total to complete all three courses.

To get certified, you must complete all three courses and pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have completed the program, you will receive a digital certificate from Twitter verifying your expertise in the field of Twitter advertising.

The cost of the program varies depending on your country, but generally ranges from $99-$199 USD.

4. Google Adwords Social Advertising Certification

Google Adwords Social Advertising Certification is a certification program offered by Google to help marketers demonstrate their expertise in using AdWords for social media advertising. This certification validates the knowledge and skills of individuals who are proficient in creating, managing, and optimizing campaigns on Google’s social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The certification process typically takes about two hours to complete. It consists of a series of multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of the various features and functions of Google’s social media advertising platform. You must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly in order to pass the exam and receive your certification.

To get certified, you must first register for an exam through Google’s AdWords Learning Center. The cost of the exam is $50 USD per attempt. After registering, you will be given access to study materials and practice tests which can help you prepare for the actual exam. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official Google Adwords Social Advertising Certification badge which can be shared on your website or other online profiles to demonstrate your proficiency with Google’s social advertising platform.

5. YouTube Certified Professional Program

The YouTube Certified Professional Program is a program designed to help content creators, marketers, and agencies build their knowledge of the YouTube platform. It provides an official certification that shows employers and clients that you are knowledgeable about YouTube’s features, policies, and best practices.

The program consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as creating effective videos, understanding the YouTube algorithm, optimizing for search results, building an audience, monetizing your channel, and more. The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete.

Once you have finished the online course, you can take the final exam which is administered by Google Partners. To pass the exam you must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly within 90 minutes. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official YouTube Certified Professional badge which can be displayed on your website or social media profiles.

The cost of the program varies depending on what type of certification you are looking for (individual or company). For individuals it costs $99 USD for access to the online course and final exam. For companies it costs $199 USD per person for access to the online course and final exam plus additional benefits such as access to exclusive resources from Google Partners.

6. LinkedIn Certified Professional Program

The LinkedIn Certified Professional Program is a certification program that helps professionals demonstrate their expertise in using the LinkedIn platform. This program is designed to help individuals showcase their knowledge and skills in using the platform to maximize their professional success.

The program consists of two parts: a self-paced online course and an assessment. The course covers topics such as creating an effective profile, building relationships, leveraging content, and optimizing search visibility. It takes approximately two hours to complete the course. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and access to the assessment.

The assessment is a multiple-choice test that evaluates your knowledge of LinkedIn best practices. It takes approximately one hour to complete and consists of 50 questions covering topics such as creating an effective profile, building relationships, leveraging content, optimizing search visibility, and more. Participants must score 80% or higher on the assessment in order to pass and become certified.

The cost for the LinkedIn Certified Professional Program is $99 USD. This fee covers both the online course and assessment.

7. Instagram Partner Program

The Instagram Partner Program is a program designed to help businesses and influencers get the most out of their Instagram accounts. It provides access to valuable tools, insights, and resources that can help maximize the success of an account.

The program is free to join and takes just a few minutes to complete. To get started, you must first create an Instagram business profile. Once your profile is created, you can apply for the Instagram Partner Program. You will need to provide some basic information about your business and the type of content you post on your account.

Once accepted into the program, you will have access to exclusive insights such as audience demographics, engagement rates, and post performance metrics. You will also be able to use advanced features such as scheduling posts in advance and creating ads from within the app.

The cost of joining the Instagram Partner Program varies depending on the type of account you have and what services you are looking for. The basic membership is free but there are additional fees for more advanced features such as analytics or ad creation tools.

8. Pinterest Analytics and Ads Certification

Pinterest Analytics and Ads Certification is a program offered by Pinterest to help marketers demonstrate their expertise in using the platform for advertising purposes. The certification covers topics such as creating effective campaigns, understanding analytics, and optimizing performance. It consists of an online course, which takes approximately 6 hours to complete, and an assessment at the end. To get certified, you must pass the assessment with a score of 80% or higher. The cost of the certification is $50 USD.

9. Snapchat Partner Program

The Snapchat Partner Program is a program that helps businesses and content creators reach new audiences, build relationships with their customers, and monetize their content. It provides access to tools, resources, and support to help partners grow their presence on Snapchat.

To become a Snapchat Partner, you must first submit an application. Your application will be reviewed by the Snapchat team who will assess your qualifications and determine whether or not you are eligible for the program. The review process typically takes up to 2 weeks.

Once accepted into the program, partners gain access to exclusive tools and resources such as analytics, insights, ad targeting capabilities, and more. Partners also receive personalized support from the Snapchat team to help them better understand how to maximize their presence on the platform.

The cost of joining the Snapchat Partner Program depends on your business’s size and needs. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$5000 per month depending on your goals and objectives.

10. Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional Program

Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional Program is a certification program designed to help digital marketing professionals demonstrate their expertise in Microsoft Advertising products and services. The program is open to anyone who has experience with Microsoft Advertising, including marketers, agencies, and publishers.

The program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as setting up campaigns, targeting audiences, optimizing campaigns, and more. It takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete the course.

To get certified as a Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional, you must first pass the online course and then take the exam. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and takes about 60 minutes to complete. You will need to score at least 70% on the exam in order to be certified.

The cost for the Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional Program is $99 USD per person. This fee covers both the online course and the exam.

11. Social Media Marketing World Certification

Social Media Marketing World Certification is an online certification program designed to help professionals become certified in the field of social media marketing. It is offered by Social Media Examiner, a leading provider of social media education and training. The program consists of four courses that cover the fundamentals of social media marketing, including topics such as content creation, analytics, advertising, and more.

The program takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete, depending on your prior knowledge and experience with social media marketing. It includes video lessons, quizzes, and assignments that will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

In order to get certified, you must successfully complete all four courses and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Upon completion of the program, you will receive an official certificate from Social Media Examiner that can be used to demonstrate your expertise in the field.

The cost for Social Media Marketing World Certification is $299 USD for individuals or $499 USD for groups (up to 5 people).

Do You Really Need a Social Media Specialist Certificate?

When it comes to deciding if you need a social media specialist certificate, the answer is ultimately up to you. Depending on your career goals and the type of job you’re seeking, having a social media specialist certificate could be beneficial.

For instance, if you’re looking for a job as a social media manager or marketer, having a certificate may give you an edge over other applicants. It demonstrates that you have knowledge and experience in this field and can apply that to the position. It also shows potential employers that you are serious about your career and willing to invest in yourself by obtaining additional credentials.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for entry-level positions or just starting out in the field of social media, then it may not be necessary to get a certificate right away. You can gain valuable skills while working or even through free online courses that don’t require any certification. However, getting certified could help set you apart from other candidates when applying for more advanced positions down the road.

Ultimately, whether or not you should get a social media specialist certificate depends on your individual goals and career path. If it’s something that interests you and will help achieve your desired outcome, then it may be worth investing in one.

Related: Social Media Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Social Media Specialist Certifications

1. What is a Social Media Specialist Certification?

Answer: A Social Media Specialist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills and competencies in the field of social media marketing. It provides recognition for those who have mastered the fundamentals of social media management and can demonstrate their expertise in this area.

2. How long does it take to get certified as a Social Media Specialist?

Answer: The length of time required to become certified varies depending on the specific certification program you choose. Generally, it takes anywhere from six months to one year to complete the necessary coursework and pass the certification exam.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a Social Media Specialist?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Social Media Specialist offers many benefits including increased job opportunities, higher salaries, greater respect in your field, improved reputation among colleagues, and access to more advanced training and resources.

4. Where can I find out more information about Social Media Specialist Certifications?

Answer: You can find more information about different certifications available by researching online or talking to professionals in your field who are already certified. Additionally, there are many organizations that offer certifications such as Hootsuite Academy, DigitalMarketer Academy and Google Analytics Academy that provide online courses and exams for certification.

5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Social Media Specialist Certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require applicants to have some level of experience with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram before applying for certification. Additionally, some certifications may also require applicants to have taken certain classes or completed specific projects related to social media marketing before being eligible for certification.