10 Social Media Certifications for Beginners (Free & Paid)

Social media certifications can help you build the skills to secure a job in social media marketing without having prior experience or a related university degree.

To help you find accredited certifications worth pursuing, we’ve reviewed and rated the best social media certifications available online. These certification courses will help you build job-ready skills and learn the techniques to make a successful career as a social media professional.

10 Top Social Media Certifications

1. Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate

With direct insights from the world’s biggest social media brand, Meta (formerly Facebook), the Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate prepares you for a career in social advertising. This certification focuses on providing you with job-ready skills, so you can start landing clients or applying for marketing roles instantly.

Available in a range of languages, including Portuguese and Spanish, this Meta certification gives learners both a Coursera certificate, the Digital Marketing Associate Certification from Meta, and the Meta Social Media Marketing official certification. You’ll also gain access to the exclusive Meta Career Programs job board. 

Who is this for?

Anyone interested in social media marketing can benefit from this course, with no prior experience or degree in marketing required. However, it is recommended you have an enthusiasm for social media, a basic knowledge of the internet, and a Meta (Facebook) account.

This course is likely to be best for you if you’re particularly interested in advertising on Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta-owned platforms.

What you’ll learn?

The Meta Social Media Certificate includes six courses as shown below. To get certified, you need to complete all courses including the capstone course. As part of the capstone course will have to prepare a presentation to make recommendations for improving a social marketing campaign and also pass the Meta Digital Marketing Associate Certification Exam.

The lessons cover everything a social media manager might need to succeed on channels like Facebook and Instagram, including tips on how to establish and manage a growing social media presence. You’ll learn how to:

• Create and analyze advertising campaigns for your target audience.
• Create, edit and troubleshoot campaigns within the Meta ads manager.
• Create a capstone project presentation showcasing your social media skills
• Measure and optimize the performance of Meta campaigns.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

This social media marketing course costs $343 and takes approximately 7 months to complete at a pace of 2 hours per week. You can register for a 7-Day free trial to get started and then pay $49 per month until you complete all courses, lessons, and exams.

2. Digital Marketing Certification

One of the certifications worth considering is the Digital Marketing Certification offered by Reliablesoft Academy. It’s a comprehensive course covering several important aspects of social media including social media marketing, Facebook & Instagram ads, and Retargeting.

Upon completion of the course, you can pursue an accredited Digital Marketing Certification which is the top certification you can get in the digital marketing space.

Who is this for?

This certification is for anyone wishing to build their social media skills from the ground up. It includes 10 courses covering all the important Digital Marketing channels in detail including two courses related to social media. A Social Media Marketing Course and a Facebook Ads course.

What you’ll learn?

All the lessons are highly practical and based on the experiences of successful social media managers. The lessons use a combination of learning techniques to help you build skills to run profitable social media campaigns.

In particular, the courses cover the following topics:

• What is social media marketing and how does it work.
• How to build a social media strategy.
• How to build a successful brand on Facebook with thousands of followers.
• How to run Facebook paid campaigns using a proven blueprint to generate conversions at the least possible cost.
• How to optimize your Facebook Ads and landing pages.
• How to utilize social media marketing as part of your digital marketing strategy.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

This certification costs $119 and it takes less than a week to fully complete the lessons and pass the required exams.

By enrolling in this course, you get lifetime access to all courses, free updates, and a 60-day money-back guarantee. The course is rated 5/5 stars by hundreds of students and is constantly updated to take into account the latest techniques and practices.

3. Social Media Marketing Specialization

Brimming with details on how to create and manage comprehensive social media strategies, the Social Media Marketing Specialization will teach you how to expand your online audience and establish your social brand. This specialization is updated on a quarterly basis, ensuring you get the most up-to-date training based on the latest algorithms and social media rules.

The course starts with a simple introduction to social media and what it means to advertise and build audience connections through social channels and ends with a complete overview of the “business” of social media marketing.

To get certified you need to complete six courses and pass all graded assignments.

Who is this for?

This social media certification requires no previous knowledge about social media strategies, though a basic understanding of the platforms will be useful. The course is ideally suited for people with an interest in multi-channel marketing strategies because it introduces advertising techniques you can use on any social media platform.

What you’ll learn?

With this specialization course, you’ll get an introduction to what social media can do for businesses and the importance of listening to your audience across multiple channels. There’s a strong focus on building engagement with customers through multiple nurturing strategies across platforms. During the course, you’ll learn how to:

• Engage and nurture your target audience with insights from real social media campaigns.
• Design content and advertising campaigns for different social platforms.
• Make “viral” advertising strategies that encourage social sharing.
• Build a capstone project focused on leveraging all the skills you develop in both social and mobile marketing.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

The Social Media Marketing Specialization course costs $343 and will take approximately 7 months to complete at a learning pace of 2 hours per week. You can also choose to complete the course faster if you have more time to devote to learning.

4. Social Media Marketing Masterclass

A comprehensive masterclass covering everything from social media management, to promoting podcasts and videos online, this course is great for digital advertising enthusiasts. The learning experience covers everything you need to know about the art and science of social media, focusing on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Students get access not just to an extensive range of insightful lessons, but also to a private Facebook community, where attendees can share up-to-date advice and guidance on how to master social media marketing.

Who is this for?

The Social Media Marketing masterclass is ideal for beginners who want to develop their understanding of social media marketing as one part of an extensive digital marketing strategy. While the main focus of the course is social media, you’ll also learn about how to create blog posts, produce audio content, and promote videos.

What you’ll learn?

Designed to cover all of the essentials of online marketing, the masterclass teaches students how to set up a simple but powerful marketing strategy, complete with a comprehensive social media calendar, and a content creation plan. Some of the things you’ll learn include how to:

• Master the basics of search engine optimization and content marketing.
• Develop a knowledge of the buyer journey and use it to strengthen your social communities.
• Combine social media marketing with email marketing and online search strategies.
• Post on various social media channels, including LinkedIn and Pinterest.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

This course is available for $99.99 and includes 20 hours of content, as well as access to a private community where you can continue your learning. You can choose exactly how quickly you want to finish the course, which is split into 43 modules in total.

5. Social Media Marketing Certificate

Learn how to create meaningful, impactful, and authentic social media marketing campaigns with the experts at eCornell in this certificate program. Here, students learn how to develop a strategic approach to using a range of social media platforms. The course covers tips on how to develop cross-platform social listening and community growth strategies, to boost your presence online.

Going beyond the basics of social media marketing, this course will explore the impact social media has across the sales funnel, and how the right posts can influence customer decisions. You’ll even discover how to measure the success of your campaigns.

Who is this for?

The social media marketing certification from eCornell is ideal for people who want to learn more about structuring social media campaigns, either for their own business, or clients. You’ll discover how to create content based on brand voice, and how to use “social listening” tactics to strengthen your understanding of a specific audience.

What you’ll learn?

The social media marketing course from eCornell takes a sophisticated approach to social media marketing, encouraging companies to bring their own unique personality to each campaign. During the course of the lessons, you’ll learn how to:

• Build your own social media marketing strategy with measurable metrics.
• Create effective content marketing and use it to enhance your social strategy.
• Use social listening tools and manage a growing community of followers.
• Leverage strategies like influencer marketing across various points in the sales funnel.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

This fully-online course costs $3,600 and takes a total of 3 months to complete. Each part of the course is broken down into bite-sized segments to make it easier to consume. The cost of the course also pays for your certification when you successfully complete your training.

6. Social Media Strategy Certification

Regularly updated to feature the latest insights and guidance for social media success, the Social Media Strategy Certification from HubSpot helps anyone get certified in social media management. You’ll learn how to build loyalty and attract new customers across a range of channels, what it means to drive word of mouth, and how to build user-generated content.

HubSpot’s professor Crystal King guides business owners through a range of tactics for measuring social media strategy, and scheduling campaigns for long-term growth. There are even a series of 29 quizzes to test your knowledge as you go.

Who is this for?

The HubSpot social media certification is ideal for social media marketers, aspiring marketers, and marketing managers, as well as business owners hoping to develop their own online strategies. The course shows individuals how to develop their own social media presence, as well as how they can leverage the power of social media for larger companies and brands.

What you’ll learn?

This social media training course covers the basics of social media marketing for beginners, you’ll start with an introduction on how to build a comprehensive social media strategy, using social listening and monitoring to understand your audience.

Through the rest of your education, you’ll develop skills for:

• Building a content strategy on social media and integrating it with other inbound efforts.
• Extending your reach on social media and building customer relationships.
• Measuring your return on investment on social media advertising campaigns.
• Ensuring long-term governance and compliance with your social strategies.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

This course is completely free to take and will require about four hours of learning in total. You can also expand your education by taking other accompanying courses from HubSpot, such as lessons on Facebook and Instagram marketing.

7. Advanced Social Media Strategy Course

Produced in collaboration with social media marketing practitioners and strategists, this industry-recognized course gives aspiring advertisers practical skills for social success. The course comes with an accredited certification to highlight your knowledge of things like social media scheduling and strategy development.

Covering important topics like how to optimize your social media profiles, and how to measure the impact of campaigns, Hootsuite’s social media marketing lessons ensure you’re prepared for a successful career in social media.

Who is this for?

This beginner-level course teaches you the core principles of social media marketing across multiple social channels. With an industry-recognized certificate, the course is an excellent choice for freelance and growing social media managers hoping to improve their chances of a new career. This course could also be useful for business leaders as it offers a lot of advice on social media team management.

What you’ll learn?

The Advanced Social Media Strategy course focuses specifically on strategies for success on social media, starting with simple topics like how to build social profiles on different channels, and how to set goals, KPIs, and objectives for each campaign.

As you progress through the various modules in the course curriculum, you’ll learn how to:

• Nurture a community of social media fans and brand advocates.
• Create a content strategy for social media and align it with your inbound efforts.
• Access social media paid advertisements, and make sure you’re reaching your ROI targets.
• Manage a team of social media experts as the head social manager.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

The Hootsuite course costs $199 and only takes around 6 hours to complete, so you should be able to finish your certification in a weekend, depending on your time restrictions.

8. Certified Digital Marketing Associate

Created by Meta, the Certified Digital Marketing Associate course teaches users how to use extensive Meta technologies (like Facebook and Instagram) to establish their online presence. With a strong focus on the Meta ecosystem, this course covers important topics like how to differentiate between different kinds of paid ad campaigns, and how to create immersive content.

Various segments of this course can also be applied to other digital marketing strategies, like learning how to identify your core audience and build user personas.

Who is this for?

This course was designed for marketers and business leaders using the Meta advertising landscape to build their presence online. The Certified Digital Marketing Associate course requires a basic knowledge of the Meta landscape and accompanying apps, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and LinkedIn. You’ll also need accounts with these platforms.

What you’ll learn?

The Certified Digital Marketing Associate course is an end-to-end guide to all of the elements of the Meta landscape. During the course, you’ll learn how to:

• Master Meta marketing tools like the Facebook pixel and conversions API
• Align ads across channels like Facebook and Instagram.
• Create and measure the performance of paid ad campaigns.
• Identify the structure of different campaigns across Meta apps.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

The course is free to complete and includes hours of content you can examine and explore at your own pace. Most of the individual lessons only take around 10-20 minutes to complete, and you can finish them whenever you choose.

You can read our Facebook Blueprint Certification review for details on how to study for this certification, how to pass the exams, and other useful info.

9. Social Media Certification

An easy way to build your expertise, this social media manager certification includes 10 modules of interactive content to teach you about all of the most popular social platforms. You’ll have access to practical toolkits for building social media schedules and advertising campaigns, as well as various bite-sized walkthroughs to explain complex topics.

The Social Media Certification appeals to all learning styles, with access to videos and animated explainers, live sessions with instructors, and quizzes for testing your knowledge.

Who is this for?

If you’re trying to set yourself apart from the other social media experts in your field and gain a reputation as a thought leader, the DMI Specialist certification is an industry-recognized accolade. The course is designed for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, business leaders, and marketing experts hoping to expand their skills.

What you’ll learn?

As one of the top social media marketing courses available today, the Social Media Certification breaks the complex marketing world down into a series of easy-to-follow modules. The course offers complete insights into some of the most common channels, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You’ll also learn how to:

• Conduct research for your social media marketing campaigns and use “listening” tools.
• Combine social media with social commerce strategies and affiliate marketing.
• Deliver exceptional customer service through social media apps.
• Build a social strategy that stretches across multiple platforms.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

The Social Media Certification costs $1368 and is available to complete at your own pace. You’ll have access to toolkits and premium course materials for the life of your subscription, and you get 6 months of access to premium features for free with every course.

10. Social Media Marketing

With no prior knowledge of social media marketing required, the Social Media Marketing course from the Online Marketing Institute is great for beginners. This “Level 1” course provides a deep understanding of social media promotional methods from the ground up, with insights into various popular channels like Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram.

After each lesson, you’ll also be encouraged to test your knowledge with a short quiz, which helps to keep you engaged in the learning experience.

Who is this for?

This is a course intended for true beginners who want to establish a new career in the social media marketing space. The lessons start with an overview of the primary platforms most companies use for social marketing, so you don’t really need to know anything to get started.

What you’ll learn?

The Social Media Marketing course is a short but valuable introduction to all aspects of social advertising. This course covers platforms and methodologies other courses ignore, including how to expand your reach online with podcasts. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to:

• Develop your social media brand and match your personality to your target audience.
• Set business goals and KPIs and measure your campaign performance on each channel.
• Create influential profiles on the channels you’re going to use to reach your audience.
• Publish consistently across a range of platforms while maintaining your brand image.

How much does it cost and how long does it take to complete?

The Online Marketing Institute’s social media marketing course costs $859 and contains around 7 hours of content spread across 11 video lessons. You can complete the course at your own pace, though the final exam isn’t available until all the course modules are finished.

Are Social Media Certifications Worth It?

With social media managers now earning over $70,000 per year, and demand for social media advertising skills increasing, certifications are more valuable than ever. While anyone can explore a social media platform and experiment with the different tools it has to offer, a social media marketing certification sets you apart from the competition.

By earning a certification, you prove you know how to leverage the latest tools in the social media landscape to build a brand presence, listen to customers, and nurture a community. With a social media marketing course, you can:

• Learn how to use tools like Facebook Pixel and Instagram Insights more effectively.
• Discover how to set important advertising goals and KPIs and track your progress.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the latest platform algorithms and marketing rules.
• Generate better ROI on your campaigns with a range of promotional techniques.
• Learn more about your target audience and how to build customer profiles.
• Improve your chances of working for high-end brands and clients.

What Can You Do With a Certificate in Social Media?

For most people, the most obvious way to use a certificate in social media is to become a social media manager. These are experts who either work on a freelance basis or as part of an agency to manage an entire social strategy, often across multiple channels.

Some other directions you can explore with your social media certificate include:

• Social media specialist: A specialist usually works on campaigns for a specific social platform, such as Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.
• Digital marketing strategist: These experts build extensive campaigns for digital marketing, often involving social media combined with content and email marketing.
• Social media consultants: Consultants often offer advice and guidance on how to use social media channels, rather than creating and distributing content.
• Online community manager: An online community manager helps to nurture growing communities in the social space. These experts also work in the NFT landscape.
• Social media marketer: These professionals often work as part of a comprehensive team of marketing experts, focusing primarily on the creation of social media content.

Methodology

To help you find the best social media certification, we’ve looked at the top social media marketing training providers. The chosen courses were selected based on the quality of the lessons, and certification reputation. All certification courses are suited for beginners in social media marketing. We added free and paid certifications so that you can easily find the one that best fits your needs and budget.

Related Courses and Certifications

To complete your training in the social media marketing space, you can continue your learning journey using the following guides:

• Social Media Marketing Courses – a list of the best practical courses on social media. Some of the courses don’t offer certification but they can help you build job-ready skills.
• Social Media Management Courses – a list of courses to teach you how to manage social media networks using social media management tools.
• Best Facebook Ads Courses – a list of the best courses to become a Facebook Ads Expert.
• Digital Marketing Certifications – the best certificates to pursue to become a digital marketing manager and explore job opportunities besides social media.