For those out there wondering what the difference is between a “Adwords Qualified Individual” and a “Google Qualified Professional”… well the short answer to that question is that there is none.
We were stumped when we chanced upon several search marketing firm websites that utilized a “Google Qualified Professional” logo to display their certified expertise with Google Adwords. The only two logos we were aware even existed were an “Adwords Qualified Individual” and an “Adwords Qualified Company” logo. We initially thought that “Google Qualified Professional” meant some new level of advanced certification, so we clicked on it to see where it took us. It did take us to a Google certification page, but not to any new certification type. It shows clearly the “Adwords Qualified Individual” logo!
The thing we don’t understand is why anyone, if given a choice, would choose to use the “Adwords Qualified Individual” logo when they can use a “Google Qualified Professional” logo on their page. The “Qualified Professional” logo seems much more alluring to potential clients than “Qualified Individual”…
Of course we wanted to get a direct answer from Google, but as they are well known to keep their workings secretive, we didn’t get a direct response. The best they could do was tell us that they don’t offer any level of certification above the “Adwords Qualified Company” status, which made us feel good about our current level of recognition. Still, it makes us a little annoyed that we didn’t have the same options as these other companies seem to have when it comes to choosing the wording of their Google certified logo. The only one we had as an option before our company-wide status was the “Adwords Qualified Individual.”
Since Google wouldn’t flat out address our question directly, we’re just left to wonder what the point is in having two logos for the same certification. And having one of them leaving a much greater impression on potential clients than the other.