Posted: March 13, 2015
If you’ve been searching for a company to handle your online marketing campaign, you may have come across several that claim to be Google Partners and present a small Google-esque logo on their website. What does that logo mean, and what is a Google Partner?
Organizations and agencies can join Google’s Partner program and then apply for Partner status. Requirements to be considered a Partner include a complete company profile, certification in AdWords, spending a required minimum on managed accounts to prove adequate activity, and implementing best practices recommended by Google with client accounts. After meeting Google’s program requirements, organizations are then presented with the Partner badge and are able to display that badge on their websites and marketing materials.
There are more than 5,000 Partners worldwide, and Google can help you locate a Google Partner near you.
Google requires a lot from its Partners, perhaps because it’s beneficial for all parties involved when more inbound marketing firms are certified. Because Google has set out to provide the best search results for queries, it makes sense that they would want to educate search engine optimization agencies on the best practices for the highest rankings. After all, those agencies are the ones who create and optimize client sites. And if those sites are better organized, optimized and contain quality content, then Google’s job is a little bit easier when it comes to indexing, crawling and ranking.
Partners must pass Google-administered exams every year. It’s one of the key requirements to being a Partner, and it’s a simple way for Google to monitor Partner dedication and expertise. At least one member in an organization must be certified with AdWords. To do so, the member must pass the Fundamentals exam and one of two offered advanced exams (Advanced Search or Advanced Display exam). After becoming certified in AdWords, individuals may choose to become certified in Video Advertising, which requires passing the advanced exam. Members must retake the Advanced Search, Advanced Display and Video Advertising exams on a yearly basis, and the Fundamentals exam must be retaken every two years.
You can trust that the Google Partner you choose is a certified expert in online marketing, so you can spend less time worrying about being cheated, scammed or duped, and spend more time focused on your business.
Google provides tools for its Partners so that they can use their knowledge and expertise to provide a better service to their clients. Google requires its Partners to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, tools available through Google, and products on the market.
Through all the tools and resources provided by Google, Partners are able to recommend and implement best practices that come straight from Google or that are born through breakthroughs and advances in the industry.
Google also offers certification in its Google Analytics Certified Partner program. While Google Analytics is available to every webmaster, Google highly recommends that members become certified in order to better analyze and evaluate the data that is collected and presented. This accreditation for individuals provides access to many benefits of the program, such as technical support and contact with teams in engineering, product management and marketing.
Requirements for Analytics certification differ from those of the Google Partner program. Individuals must display knowledge of certain analytical capabilities as wells as other proficiency and business requirements.
If you’re looking for an online marketing team, you can trust those who have become Google Partners and have been certified in Analytics and AdWords. These businesses are kept at the forefront of the industry, and they must maintain their status and qualifications to remain a Partner. If you have doubts about your current SEO team, turn to a Google Partner.