Google vs Meta Marketing Certificates: Which Should You Choose?

Are you trying to decide between the Google Digital Marketing Certificate and the Meta Social Media Marketing Certificate on Coursera? You’re not alone. Both programs are highly rated, beginner-friendly, and taught by two of the biggest names in the tech and advertising world.

I’ve completed the Google certificate myself (you can read my full review here) and found it a solid foundation in e-commerce, SEO, email marketing, and analytics.

While I haven’t taken the Meta course yet, I’ve reviewed its syllabus, explored feedback from other learners, and compared the structure, tools, and job fit side by side.

In this article, I’ll walk you through:

• The key differences between the Google and Meta marketing certificates
• Who each one is best for
• Career outcomes and hiring prospects
• Whether it’s worth doing both

Let’s dive in and help you choose the certification that fits your goals—and lands you the job you want.

Overview of both certificates

Let’s do a quick recap of what these courses from marketing giants cover.

Feature	Google Digital Marketing	Meta Social Media Marketing
Duration	~6 months	~6 months
Cost	£32/mo (Coursera)	£32/mo (Coursera)
Number of Courses	8	6
Capstone Project	No	Yes
Focus	SEO, email, analytics, e-commerce	Facebook/IG ads, content creation, social strategy
Tools Covered	Google Ads, Google Analytics, Shopify, Hubspot and others	Facebook Business Suite, Canva, Instagram

They are both available on Coursera and are included with Coursera Plus (so if you have a subscription, you could take them both).

Is the Google or Meta marketing certificate easier?

I’d say the Google one is easier to complete because it does not include a Capstone. Course 8 (the AI job search course) is optional. There are several optional assignments.

So, if you’re looking for an easy ride, the Google certificate is certainly do-able.

However, if you want to get a job and do well in your new career, I don’t think you should be looking for easy! Do all the assignments. Practice using the tools. Don’t shy away from the Capstone because it takes a while – it will make you a better marketer!

There is a learning curve with both certificates, which is about the same.

Who is the Google Certificate best for?

The content of the courses determines the fit for students. The Google course is e-commerce and business focused, suitable for people who are looking to work in traditional businesses.

I’d say it was best for:

• Aspiring digital marketers looking for broad knowledge
• Business owners or freelancers who want e-commerce and analytics
• People interested in SEO/PPC/Google Ads roles – this is a very specialized skill!

I did this course (and passed, yey!) and I don’t do digital marketing for a traditional business, but it taught me about e-commerce, CPC and other things that are helpful in my work on website development projects in my day job.

This course also has a job search module, Accelerate your job search with AI, which is helpful, especially if you don’t know where to start! It will help you polish your CV or resume, LinkedIn profile and prep for interviews.

Want to know what roles you can get with this qualification? Read my full guide about Google Digital Marketing Certificate jobs.

Who is the Meta Certificate best for?

Meta’s course won’t teach you anything about Google Ads (obvs) so it’s more relevant for people who are supporting social media within their business. For example:

• Those aiming for social media-focused roles
• Creators, influencers, or small business owners building on IG/Facebook
• People who want to work in community management or paid social.

The big benefit is that you get the Professional Certificate (which is ACE® recommended for prior learning) but you also get the Meta Digital Marketing Association Certification.

Once you have taken this course, look for job titles like:

• Social Media Manager
• Social Media Specialist
• Social Media Coordinator

… it’s all very social media-y.

Want to learn more about Meta’s course? Explore it on Coursera.

Certificate	Target Job Titles	Best For
Google	Digital Marketing Assistant, SEO Associate, Email Marketing Coordinator	Generalist, e-commerce, analytics
Meta	Social Media Manager, Content Creator, Facebook Ads Specialist	Creators, social-first marketers

Which has better career outcomes?

Google’s course aligns better with job listings for SEO, marketing assistants, etc.

Meta’s course suits freelancers, people working in the creator economy, and content management roles – perhaps I should have taken this one after all!

Read next: What employers think hiring candidates with Google Certificates – read the interviews!

In terms of are you likely to get a job having taken one of these training programs, Google’s Employer Consortium is a win for me. That’s a group of Google partners who actively recruit from ‘graduates’ from their certificates. You’ll get access to their job seeking resources once you’ve completed the course.

However, the Meta program ends with a Capstone, which means you’ll get a tangible project you can use to show employers what you can do. Meta’s training is excellent and you’ll be learning first hand from the people behind Facebook and Instagram – that’s worth a lot.

There aren’t any published stats that I could find about which certificate has the best employability outcomes, but they are both well-respected.

My recommendation

While you have to make the final choice yourself, this is my take on it:

• For generalist marketers or career switchers –> Google
• For content creators or social media specialists –> Meta

Having said that, you could do both, or start with one and supplement with the other. Whichever you choose, good luck with your learning!