Did you know there are certificates for pretty much any occasion? If not, we’re about to show you numerous interesting use cases. Join us for this article to explore them all.

Cover photo to the article about types of digital certificates.

large_Types of digital certificates_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_Types of digital certificates_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_Types of digital certificates_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_Types of digital certificates_Certifier blog_cover photo

Types of digital certificates_Certifier blog_cover photo

Are you curious to know the types of certificates out there? From training, through diplomas, to doula certificates, let’s explore them all with Certifier.

Types of Digital Certificates | Certifier

All digital certificates under one roof. Check out Certifier.

blog_article_certificate_yellow_cta.svg

Create digital certificates

Types of Digital Certificates

Unlock the power of automation and see how quickly you can create personalized certificates in 2026. Compare manual vs automated certification workflow. And see how Certifier will help you set up a batch of personalized certificates in minutes!

Unlock the power of automation and see how quickly you can create personalized certificates without much work on your side. All in this 2026 guide.

How To Make Automated Personalized Certificates in 2026 | Certifier

How to Make Automated Personalized Certificates: A 2026 Guide

Tired of complicated credential management? It doesn’t have to be that way! We welcome you to our curated list of the top digital credential management software solutions that can transform your credentialing process in 2026. Explore our top picks and learn how the right software can make credential management effortless.

Digital credential management software is the answer to your certification woes. Who says managing credentials has to be hard? Here’s the toolbox filled to the brim with top tools in 2026.

14 Top Digital Credential Management Software for 2026 | Certifier

The Toolbox: 14 Top Digital Credential Management Software in 2026

Instead of copying and pasting names all day, you can generate certificates straight from your Google Sheets or Excel. In this article, Certifier shows you how.

Learn how to auto-generate certificate from Excel sheet or Google Sheets in 2026. It’s a simple tutorial with quick steps, powered by Certifier - certificate generator from Excel.

How to Generate Certificates from Google Sheets and Excel in 2026? | Certifier

How to Generate Certificates from Google Sheets and Excel in 2026?

Bet on the faster and easier way to create badges from templates. Choose Certifier.

Check Adobe Express alternative

Adobe Express is a little sweet spot. It's not so complex and doesn’t require advanced user skills like Adobe Illustrator, but it still is an Adobe tool. It is suitable for fast designs and graphics needed “ASAP.”So it's no wonder you thought of creating digital badges for learners there. (Pst! We know better options, though).But if you decide to stick with Adobe, we won't leave you alone. Here are detailed learning paths on how to make professional digital badges with Adobe Express.<h2>What about the Adobe Badges alternative? { Adobe Express alternative }</h2>Let’s be honest. Adobe Express is not a <a href="https://certifier.io/digital-badges" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">badge maker</a> (and doesn’t provide templates for them either). You can make something from it, but it ends up being just a simple design. And what if you could create, generate, and send badges to participants so the whole badge certification process takes place within the same platform?It’s already possible with non-Adobe apps. Certifier is an intuitive badge maker that provides hundreds of <a href="https://certifier.io/badge-templates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free badge templates</a>. What’s more, you can pull the recipients’ data from the complete list in the spreadsheet and distribute it to their email inboxes with a click. Then, you can download all badges in zip format (or PDF format).Then what, do you give it a chance?${{ section-cta-large-yellow }}<h2>Step 1: Sign up to Adobe Express { Step 1: Sign up to Adobe Express }</h2>First, create an <a href="https://www.adobe.com/express/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Adobe Express</a> account. Adobe offers various sign-up options: email address, Google account, Facebook, or Apple ID. Choose the one that's most convenient for you.After submitting your information, Adobe Express may ask you to verify your email address. Head over to your email inbox and click on the verification link.&nbsp;With your account now set up and verified, you can begin to create a digital badge.Choose the custom size option to start creating badges concept.<h3>What size should a digital badge be?</h3>Badges with 400 x 400 pixels are the most popular ones. This size allows for good visibility without taking up much space, and it’s also compatible with all the most common platforms, like LinkedIn.${{ section-yellow-start }}Tip! Encourage recipients to add a badge to their social media accounts. Such a badge not only highlights skills but also sets the recipient apart in a competitive job market and makes their achievements clearly visible to potential employers or clients. And it works to your advantage too!${{ section-yellow-end }}<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334286/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_custom_design_9e4bfd4f2e.png" alt="Creating a custom design in Adobe Express to create badge."><h2>Step 2: Start with a shape { Step 2: Start with a shape }</h2>The Adobe digital badge must have a base. On the left-hand side, find and click on the Elements. Look for the “shapes” button. Click on the generic element to add it to your project.Resize it to fill the desired space on your badge and adjust its color to your branding. We chose a blue badge as a Certifier colors.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334285/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_base_3e918a5d32.png" alt="Adding base to start creating badge design.">${{ section-yellow-start }}Please note: Most of the component design are premium ones, if you want to use the free Adobe version, look for the badge elements without the crown icon.${{ section-yellow-end }}<h2>Step 3: Add layers and colors { Step 3: Add layers and colors }</h2>Duplicate the digital certification badge shape you added to create a layered effect. Select the shape and copy it. Make the new shape slightly bigger to differentiate it from the original.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334287/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_layers_313fb58dfe.png" alt="Making layers and shades on the Adobe badge.">To change the color of the new shape, go to the left-hand side and click on the “Fill” color block. Choose a darker shade or complementary color to create a high-contrast visual design. Additionally, we reduced the borders to 0.<h2>Step 4: Add text and details { Step 4: Add text and details }</h2>Consider adding a ribbon across the badge for additional details or labels. They help clarify the badge's purpose. Look for them in the elements section. Choose design attributes and type "ribbon" into the search bar.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334289/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_ribbon_e78f350caf.png" alt="Adding ribbon to the badge in Adobe Express.">As it’s the image, we can’t change the ribbon color.&nbsp;Let's write something on the badge now. Use the text tool. Choose Text from the toolbox and press the “Add your text” button. Keep the title brief and concise. Focus on demand skill representation and learning achievement.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334289/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_text_f10ee0b8c3.png" alt="Adding text to the badge design in Adobe Express.">Customize the text style, size, and color to ensure it stands out and complements your badge design.${{ section-blue-start }}Do you prefer to work on <a href="https://certifier.io/blog/free-digital-badge-templates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">badge templates</a>? Go on and <a href="https://app.certifier.io/sign-up" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">sign up to Certifier</a> for free.${{ section-blue-end }}<h2>Step 5: Incorporate graphics { Step 5: Incorporate graphics }</h2>Remember to add the company's logo to make your badge image more professional and recognizable. Go to the Media tab and choose the “upload from device” option.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334290/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_logo_ba3ac0f20b.png" alt="Adding the company's logo to the Adobe Express.">To add a unique touch, add graphics that match the theme of your badge. Go to the "Icons" section again and use the search function to find a suitable icon (e.g., search for "stars"). Select an icon, then adjust its size, placement, and color to fit your badge design seamlessly.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334286/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_icons_85b2b733c3.png" alt="Adding badge icons to the final badge design in Adobe."><h2>Step 6: Remove the background { Step 6: Remove the background }</h2>Once you’re satisfied with your badge design, you can remove the white background. Transparent backgrounds make badges versatile and suitable for various purposes. Click on the background color at the top and choose “No fill.”<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334286/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_background_29660439ba.png" alt="Removing the background in the badge design in Adobe Express tool."><h2>Step 7: Download badge { Step 7: Download badge }</h2>Click the download button at the top right corner.Select "PNG" as the file format with a transparent background. You can also share the link to your project.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1710334286/how_to_make_adobe_badges_Certifier_blog_download_e7146e13ba.png" alt="Downloading the ready adobe badge design in Adobe Express.">Good job! You are ready to display your individual badge!Once you've mastered the art of badge design with Adobe Express, the possibilities are endless. Add it to your email signature or share it on social media to showcase your skills and achievements. It’s a simple step that can significantly boost your visibility and credibility as an expert in your field.<h2>Say yes to the Certifier badge maker { Conclusion }</h2>The process of creating Adobe digital badges is not as straightforward as it may seem. Many steps are involved, which makes it longer than necessary. It also doesn't provide any additional digital credentialing services, like distribution.Why not try a better and faster digital badging platform? Check out Certifier and learn {{follow-start-url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDm7X_i5qkE follow-end-url}}how to create digital badges{{follow-end-url-tag}} from fully customizable templates. It's a snappy digital experience.&nbsp;And if you need digital certificates, <a href="https://certifier.io/digital-badges" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Certifier</a> takes care of them as well! (No depth skills are needed!)

This quick guide will show you how to make Adobe badges with the Adobe Express tool. From scratch to professional-looking badges. No advanced skills are needed. Promise!

Adobe Creative Cloud Express tutorial on how to create badges.

large_adobe badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_adobe badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_adobe badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_adobe badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

adobe badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

Quick guide with detailed steps on how to make Adobe badges with the Adobe Express tool. Tips and screenshots included.

How to Make Badges with Adobe Express? | Certifier

Don’t fight with Adobe Express and choose Certifier - dedicated tool for badges.

blog_article_badge_blue_cta.svg

blog_article_G2_badges.svg

Easy & fast badge creation process

How to Make Badges with Adobe Express?

See if Credly is worth it? Is the price that high to break the bank? Is Credly free? Explore alternatives that will be worth considering in 2026.

See Credly pricing. Will it break the bank? Explore alternatives that will be worth considering in 2026. Comparison table included.

Credly Pricing: Worth in 2026? [+8 Alternatives] | Certifier

Credly Pricing: Is Credly Worth It in 2026? (+ 8 Alternatives and Comparison Table)

Choosing the right digital credentialing platform can make all the difference in how you issue, manage, and track certificates. Certifier is often cited as the best solution on the market (no wonders here!). But! For you to make an informative decision, we’ve prepared a list of all other available certification tools out there. Read on to see what are the top 13 Certifier alternatives in 2026.

On the hunt for a Certifier alternative? We’ve prepared the most comprehensive guide with the top 13 Certifier alternatives in 2026. Read on!

Top 13 Certifier Alternatives in 2026 | Certifier

13 Top Certifier Alternatives You Need to Know About in 2026

Are you a course maker aiming to draw in more attendees? Award your course attendees with LinkedIn digital badges in 2026! They are fully customizable and easy to share online. Check out how simple it is to make your brand get noticed with Certifier’s user-friendly badges.

Discover Certifier's editable and shareable LinkedIn digital badges. Adjust a template to match your course, send it out, and attract more students.

large_Work anniversary certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_Work anniversary certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_Work anniversary certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_Work anniversary certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

Work anniversary certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

Download free work anniversary templates that you can use as certificates. Make your employees feel valued with unique certificate templates.

15 Work Anniversary Templates | Certifier

Sergey is a tech entrepreneur based in Kraków, Poland, recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe (2019, for CallPage) and Forbes 30 Under 30 Poland (2023, for Certifier). He co-founded CallPage, a VC-backed B2B SaaS that raised $4.5M and was later acquired by SaaS Labs in 2021, where he led marketing, growth, and lead acquisition.In 2020, Sergey launched Certifier, a platform building digital credential infrastructure through APIs and tools for issuing, managing, and verifying certificates, diplomas, and badges. Today, Certifier serves more than 2,000 business and institutional clients worldwide, and Sergey is a frequent public voice on digital certification, identity, and the future of credentialing.

Sergey Butko

sergey-butko.png

Sergey is CEO and Co-Founder of Certifier, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree building digital credential infrastructure for 2,000+ organizations worldwide and shaping the future of credentialing.

Create work anniversary certificate templates with Certifier

appreciation_yellow.svg

Create & Send Certificates

15 Work Anniversary Templates

Certifier simplifies OSHA certification with secure, ready-made templates. Customize course details and hours, then automatically generate verified OSHA certificates for every participant – fast and compliant.

Choose OSHA certificate template, add training details and generate in bulk.  See how Certifier boosts OSHA certification with pro-verification features.

Top 15 OSHA Certificate Templates (Multi-Use & Free) | Certifier - #1 on G2

Top 15 OSHA Certificate Templates for Authorized Training Courses

Generating multiple certificates can be a challenge for many, especially if they contain different names. We've prepared an article to help you solve your problem — check out the 5 most effective ways to make personalized certificates at scale in 2026!

Are you looking for a way to make multiple certificates with different names? Certifier, Word, Photoshop, Canva, Google Slides. Read on to know them all.

5 Ways to Make Multiple Certificates with Different Names in 2026 | Certifier

5 Ways to Make Multiple Certificates with Different Names

Do you want to save lots of hours on creating certificates in Google Docs? With Certifier, you won’t just save time but you’ll also get lots of great, free templates to use for pretty much any occasion. Find out how now.

The most common questions about Google Docs certificate templates are here.

FAQ about Google certificate templates

Cover photo to the article with free Google Docs certificate templates.

large_google docs certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_google docs certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_google docs certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_google docs certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

google docs certificate templates_Certifier blog_cover photo

Find out free-to-download certificate templates in Google Docs. Customize these Google Docs templates to every occasion.

13 Free Certificate Templates in Google Docs | Certifier

Edit and customize your Google Docs certificate directly within your favorite editor.

small_completion_yellow.png

thumbnail_completion_yellow.png

completion_yellow.png

Get your own Google Docs certificate template

13 Free Certificate Templates in Google Docs for Every Purpose

See what Credly badges are, how to issue them, and learn about their main usage. Find out a cheaper Credly badge alternative worth checking out.

Cover photo to the article about what is Credly badges .

large_what is credly badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_what is credly badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_what is credly badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_what is credly badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

what is credly badges_Certifier blog_cover photo

See what Credly badges are, how to issue them, and their usage. Find out a cheaper Credly badge alternative worth checking out.

What Is a Credly Badge? | Certifier

With 7+ years in digital marketing and SEO, Aksen has produced marketing projects for global brands (Google For Startups, Microsoft), retail companies (Żabka Group, Carrefour Foundation), B2B SaaS startups (Roomzilla, CallPage) and universities (Merito Universities Group, Lazarski University). Today, as the Chief Marketing Officer at Certifier, he connects product innovation with the people who need it most, ensuring digital credentialing is positioned as a real solution rather than a buzzword.Aksen leads global campaigns, lead generation, and market expansion—initiatives that put Certifier on the map and keep it growing. His focus is simple: help training providers, educators, and organizations worldwide understand Certifier’s value and trust it.

Aksen Semak

aksen-semak

Aksen leads marketing at Certifier, bringing 7+ years of experience with global brands to position digital credentialing as a trusted solution for training providers and educational institutions.

Discover how Certifier outperforms Credly in a feature-by-feature comparison

blog_article_badge_yellow_cta.svg

Better Credly Alternative

What Is a Credly Badge?

Here’s the list of the best badge makers in 2026. With Certifier, compare features, pros and cons, reviews, and prices to find your perfect match. 

Find the best badge makers online in 2026. Compare features, pros, reviews, and prices. See why Certifier may be your perfect match. Comparison table inside. 

13+ Best Badge Makers Online (+ Comparison Table) in 2026 | Certifier

13+ Best Badge Makers Online (+ Comparison Table Updated for 2026)

Credly is a popular solution for issuing badges. But it’s not the best one. If you are looking for the best alternatives available in 2026, this article is for you.

Looking for another Credly Badges software? You don't need to search any longer. Here is the list of tools with in-depth reviews worth your attention in 2026.

10 Credly Badges Alternatives Worth Considering in 2026 | Certifier

10 Must-Try Credly Badges Alternatives Worth Considering in 2026 [+ Reviews]

Selling online courses is a great digital business model as it doesn’t require storage and logistics like ecommerce or a long sales cycle like the services sector. You only need to sell courses online to develop a high-quality course and market it well.Multiple marketing strategies can benefit an online course business, but inevitably, most companies like this work with paid ads. However, running paid advertising might not be an optimal solution for the long term as the ROI isn’t the best, but it provides an immediate stream of leads.The ROI of your paid ads can be much better if you create effective ad campaigns and continually optimize them.This guide will teach you how to promote online courses with ads and analyze multiple examples of successful campaigns.<h2>What is an Advertising Campaign? And what makes a great Ad? { What is an Advertising Campaign? }</h2>A company’s marketing consists of multiple advertising campaigns. An advertising campaign is a set of ads that share a single message or theme and are focused on the same goal. They might be displayed across multiple media in different formats, but they usually convey a similar message to a single audience.An advertising campaign, in general, might mean a campaign across all forms of media, like Coca-Cola being advertised on TV, billboards, sporting events, radio, and the internet. In the case of online courses, when we’re talking about advertising in the digital space, the term advertising campaign is mostly used to refer to pay-per-click advertising. Other forms of marketing, like organic social media marketing or content marketing, are more continuous and can’t be subdivided into campaigns as easily.So, an ad campaign for an online course business or an <a href="https://certifier.io/blog/coaching-business-online-how-to-build-and-promote-it" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">online coaching business</a> can be presented on one of the best platforms for online course ads like Google search, Google advertising networks, YouTube, and prominent social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.Technically, you could also do banner advertising on independent websites. Still, this method is becoming more and more rare as it's harder in almost every aspect and doesn’t offer as many scaling options.${{ section-blue-start }}Creating a good ad campaign requires competence and excellence in several areas:${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-start }}Understanding of your product and customers${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-end }}${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-start }}Creativity in your approach${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-end }}${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-start }}Evoking emotions${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-end }}${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-start }}Creating a clear and understandable message${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-end }}${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-start }}Creating a clear call to action${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-end }}${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-start }}Understanding the technical aspects of advertising platforms${{ list-item-checkmark-yellow-end }}${{ section-blue-end }}The most important part of this list is understanding how your product differs from competitors and what your customers can gain from it. This should guide all of the aspects of your ad campaign, from choosing the platforms where you want to advertise to crafting a message that resonates with the target audience.For example, if your product is online courses about creating successful email marketing campaigns, your audience is likely to look for information on Google, use LinkedIn, and read the news in the morning. So, based on the likely behavior of your ideal customers, you’d have to place search Google ads, display ads on news sites, and do a social media advertising campaign on LinkedIn.<h2>Why Ad Campaigns can be effective to promote online courses? { Why ads can be effective in promoting courses? }</h2>If you’re wondering whether promoting online courses with ads is the right choice for you, the answer is probably “yes” for several reasons.${{ list-item-plus-green-start }}An ad campaign is an effective choice to promote online courses as it delivers results almost instantly. Unlike organic marketing methods, where it could take months to get your articles to rank or your social media page to become popular, running paid ads provides a constant stream of leads right when you start the campaign.${{ list-item-plus-green-end }}${{ list-item-plus-green-start }}The predictability of the outcomes. In most advertising campaigns, there will be a short period of time where you’re trying different approaches and trying to optimize them as best as you can. After this adjustment period, you will arrive at a set of campaign settings that will produce a stable influx of leads for a long time.${{ list-item-plus-green-end }}${{ list-item-plus-green-start }}The campaign's effectiveness might drop sooner or later because users will become accustomed to it and stop paying attention, but it will typically be stable for months. This will give you the opportunity to budget ahead and know approximately how many new clients you can count on.${{ list-item-plus-green-end }}${{ list-item-plus-green-start }}Ad campaigns can be targeted specifically to the demographics of your ideal clients. This means you don’t have to create messages for all of your clients like in organic content marketing. You can segment the campaign, target exactly the right demographics, and show them messages that are more likely to convert that exact demographic.${{ list-item-plus-green-end }}They're particularly effective for online course businesses, as many such companies have hundreds of courses that can appeal to vastly different demographics. With a diversified advertising campaign, you can narrow down the message to each demographic and produce much better results.Some types of ads can be even more effective. For instance, Google search ads can be shown to people searching for a particular keyword. This means they are already interested in a product like yours; you have to convince them that your company is the right choice.<h2>Google Ads as an effective ad campaign for online courses { Google Ads as an effective ad campaign }</h2>Google search ads campaigns are extremely effective for promoting any type of product or service, especially online courses. When you run ads on a social media website or Google Display Network, you can serve ads to your ideal demographic. But not everybody in that demographic is in the market for your type of product. Let alone ready to buy.So inevitably, you’ll show your ad to people who are mostly not interested in buying online courses from you. You can improve brand awareness, but you can’t expect large conversion numbers simply because not all people who are served ads are interested.With search ads, you’re working with more people interested in making a purchase.${{ section-blue-start }}Search ads are served to specific keywords, not to a demographic. People who look for online courses on Google are more likely to be actively searching for something to buy, so conversion rates are much higher. The conversion rate for search ads hovers around 3%-6%, while display ads rarely exceed 1%.${{ section-blue-end }}Search ads also dominate the search engine results pages, so even if the CTR is lower than organic results, you might receive more brand awareness.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047426/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_google1_b00a0a5340.png" alt="First place in SERP is taken by an ad.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Google ${{ caption-end }}Since search ads don’t involve visual creatives, there are two main components of a successful ad: creating a brief, catchy text and matching the keyword’s search intent to the content of your page. The second part is more complicated.You first have to choose the right keywords for your ad campaigns. Typically, you’ll have to choose a couple of keywords that fit the page that you’re trying to promote. You also have to run the ad in the exact match mode for longer keywords targeting specific courses. Otherwise, Google might take your ad for a keyword like “sewing online course” and show ads for keywords like “sewing accessories” and “online course.”Then, you have to match the keyword with the right page on your site. This is especially important if you’re pointing all paid traffic to your home page. A specialized tool like Competitive Research by <a href="https://seranking.com/competitor-traffic-research.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">SE Ranking</a> can help you pair the keywords with the right pages on your site or suggest creating new ones.<h2>Examples of successful online Ad campaigns { Examples of successful online Ad campaigns }</h2>The best way to understand how to build an effective advertising campaign is by studying examples. Unfortunately, unlike display advertising or TV commercials, finding records of effective search and display ads is more difficult.However, there are several online course companies that have created campaigns prominent enough to become a source for a case study. We’ll look at different examples and analyze what aspects can be used in your company.<h3>Udemy</h3>Even though Udemy stock is going down slightly, the company has exceeded expectations, with 16% YoY growth last year. It owes this partly to its simple yet effective ad campaigns. What it does is it dominates search.For most keywords focused on online courses of different types, you’re likely to find Udemy in the ads that you see on the top of the search results page.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047425/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_google2_aa3eb4b334.png" alt="Udemy’s search ads are served across multiple long keywords.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Google ${{ caption-end }}While we can’t have access to Udemy’s Google Adwords data, by the sheer amount of ads being served, we can assume the campaign they run is pretty significant in scope. It’s also likely to be configured for increasing brand awareness instead of just driving conversions.By targeting a large number of keywords related to different courses, Udemy can show up on thousands of searches, familiarizing users with the brand. It can also tailor the message in the ad to a specific demographic.In some cases, Udemy also targets informational keywords. The ads for these types of keywords typically lead to a short article that informs the reader about the topic they were searching for and redirects their attention to a course with a CTA.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047426/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_udemy_blog_f95a01032a.png" alt="Udemy blog post includes a sales element within it.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Udemy ${{ caption-end }}Borrowing this technique will help you avoid having a high bounce rate by serving a landing page that doesn’t fit the search intent and converting some of the traffic at the same time.Also, most Udemy search ads mention ChatGPT as one of the key aspects of the course. This way, the company makes itself related to the latest trend.&nbsp;<h3>MasterClass</h3>Another online course company you probably know is MasterClass. The thing that makes it stand out is that the courses on the platform are led by famous people like Gordon Ramsey or Chris Hadfield. While not all online course companies can afford the fees it takes to work with world-class celebrities, you can still learn from this company’s ad campaign.Its main approach is to use targeted video ads. Most of these video ads run pretty similarly — the expert who runs the course introduces themselves and shares what the course is going to be about. MasterClass also does a remarketing campaign to <a href="https://certifier.io/blog/how-to-make-students-more-engaged" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">re-engage people</a> who have already seen their ads that present a variety of other courses.What you can take from here is that authority sells, perhaps even more than factual information about your courses. If you have a course author who can boast good experience on the topic, consider making it the main point of your advertising.Another thing to consider is the power of video ads with a narrative structure. MasterClass doesn’t try to sell the course by listing the number of hours it has or the value you can get out of it. Instead, they focus on creating an almost magical picture of the new, unexplored world you’re about to enter with this new course.If your digital products are favored by people trying to learn new fun things, not professionals upgrading their knowledge for purely materialistic reasons, this could be a good angle for advertising.<h3>Coursera</h3>Unlike MasterClass, Coursera is more tailored towards learners who are interested in improving their professional lives with online courses and is even <a href="https://certifier.io/blog/insights-certificate-issuers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">issuing certificates</a>. Their advertising messaging reflects this, as most of their ads focus on promoting the value of the course to the career or sharing uplifting messages like this one.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047426/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_coursera_12dda89ea3.png" alt="The Coursera banner shows an uplifting message for the reader.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Coursera ${{ caption-end }}As many people who take a beginner or intermediate course in a new career field are job switchers, Coursera doesn’t just promote on LinkedIn but also on other social media platforms like Facebook. The messaging revolves around building a job-ready skillset and preparing for a new career.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047426/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_meta_f49d8b7e24.png" alt="An ad from Coursera that focuses on the objective value of a course.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Coursera ${{ caption-end }}If your company offers courses to job seekers, you could borrow the angle of the messages in the ad campaigns. Another good idea that you can borrow from them is sharing success stories of clients, preferably with cases of getting a new job thanks to the course.<h3>Codecademy</h3>Codecademy, as the name suggests, is a company that markets online coding courses. One of its successful ad campaigns took a different approach. Instead of presenting the benefits you can gain from enrolling, it went for attention-grabbing imagery.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047426/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_codecademy_bb7680eff1.png" alt="Codecademy’s banner ad relates to the viewer with humor and novel imagery.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Codecademy ${{ caption-end }}The whole campaign that contains several images like this paints a picture of an unsure future full of unknown challenges that only coding can tackle. Essentially, it creates a call to arms, saying the world needs you. It also features images that are sure to grab attention and provide a bit of humor.What you can add to your online course ad campaign strategies is using the appeal to a higher calling for your courses. For instance, if you offer a math course, you could make a bold claim that your nation needs bridges and knowledge of mathematics can help. That might be too unrealistic of a goal, but practical results of knowledge might be good motivation for some of your clients.<h3>Thinkific</h3>Thinkific offers a range of courses for younger learners aimed at helping with school and extracurricular activities. That’s why some of their campaigns are tied to specific times of the year, specifically,&nbsp;late summer or early autumn when most kids go to school. Seasonality of ads like this back-to-school campaign is one thing you can learn from them.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047428/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_thinkific_cfc8c13bd6.png" alt="Thinkific PPC ad presents a back-to-school discount.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Thinkific ${{ caption-end }}Another one is matching the ad to the landing page right. In advertising, the ad itself only draws the attention of the user. It’s the landing page that influences the final decision to make a purchase.Thinkific does everything by the book on the landing page tied to this ad — a quick way to covert at the very top of the page, creates a fear of missing out, and highlights the savings a client would get by grabbing the deal.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/certifier/image/upload/v1709047426/ad_campiagns_for_online_courses_Certifier_blog_thinkific_lp_303571b19f.png" alt="Thinkific landing page shows best practices of landing page design.">${{ caption-start }} Source: Thinkific ${{ caption-end }}<h2>Conclusion { Conclusion }</h2>Promoting online courses with ad campaigns is a marketing technique that every business should get into. The most important thing for success is to come to the table with an understanding of your customers and how your product can best serve them.Take inspiration from the examples of the best online course marketing campaigns, get creative with the messaging, and analyze the results to optimize the campaign.

Running an advertising campaign is an essential part of promoting online courses. Learn how to do that from five examples from the best companies in the field.

Cover photo to the article with effective ad campaigns for online courses.

large_ad campaigns for online courses_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_ad campaigns for online courses_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_ad campaigns for online courses_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_ad campaigns for online courses_Certifier blog_cover photo

ad campaigns for online courses_Certifier blog_cover photo

Examples of Effective Ad Campaigns for Online Courses | Certifier

Boost online course revenue with certificates made with Certifier.

Create and send certificates

Examples of Effective Ad Campaigns for Online Courses

Making a certification program may seem complicated, but it can be a breeze with the right tools. This blog post will outline the steps you need to take to create a successful certification program in 2026.

Do you wonder how to create a certification program? It may sound complicated, but following these steps will make your online certification course a snap in 2026 and beyond.

How to Create a Certification Program in 2026? | Certifier

How to Create a Certification Program? (A 2026 Guide)

Unlock your path to professional growth with our CPD certificate templates! Tailor them to your needs effortlessly. Ideal for both individuals and organizations. And the best part? They're absolutely free to download and put to use in 2026!

Get CPD certificate templates, easily customized. Perfect for professionals and organizations. 100% free to download and use.

20 CPD Certificate Templates (Best in 2026) | Certifier

20 CPD Certificate Templates to Edit in 2026

Looking for a better way to wrap up training programs and reward participants? Explore our 2026 workshop certificate templates – ready to use or customize to highlight achievement with ease.

Inspire yourself with these workshop certificate templates, which you can download and edit. Professional workshop designs at your fingertips.

15 Workshop Certificate Templates to Download in 2026 | Certifier

15 Workshop Certificate Templates to Download in 2026

Get to know the easy way to create warranty certificates that show your commitment to quality. We'll walk you through the steps with clear tips and offer free templates to get you started.

Cover photo to the article with best practices and free warranty templates.

large_Warranty certificates_ Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_Warranty certificates_ Certifier blog_cover photo

small_Warranty certificates_ Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_Warranty certificates_ Certifier blog_cover photo

Warranty certificates_ Certifier blog_cover photo

Learn how to make good warranty certificates with our easy tips and free templates. Give customers better service and trust.

Warranty Certificates: Tips, Inspirations & Free Templates

Warranty Certificates: Best Practices, Inspirations and Free Templates

See the power of QR code verification for certificates and their benefit to your business. Get to know how to create a certificate with a QR code in 2026 with Certifier in a few minutes (literally!) that is unique, secure, and automated.

See the power of QR code verification on certificates and their benefit to your business. Get to know how to create a certificate with a QR code with Certifier in 2026.

How to Create a Certificate with a QR Code in 2026? | Certifier - Built-in QR Code Generator

How to Create QR Code for Certificate in 2026?

Need to send many digital certificates at once? Learn how to create and issue them in three simple steps using Certifier. All done automatically.

See how to create a digital certificate in 3 easy steps. All tips about creating certificates uncovered. It's the only guide you'll ever need in 2026.

How to Create a Digital Certificate in 2026? | Certifier

How to Create a Digital Certificate? (The 2026 Way)

Sign up to Certifier to create meaningful, verifiable degrees.

Choose Certifier 

Do you know the easy way to check if a degree is real? Our guide helps schools issue degrees and certificates that are true, authentic, and, foremost, verifiable.

Cover photo to the article on how to verify the degree.

large_verifiable degrees_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_verifiable degrees_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_verifiable degrees_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_verifiable degrees_Certifier blog_cover photo

verifiable degrees_Certifier blog_cover photo

Learn a simple step schools can take to confirm they issue verifiable degrees. See how Certifier keeps your certificates trustworthy and respected!

How to Verify a Degree: a Definite Guide | Certifier

Create verifiable certificates with Certifier. See how simple it is!

small_diploma_yellow.png

thumbnail_diploma_yellow.png

diploma_yellow.png

See how easy it is

How to Verify a Degree: a Definite Guide

How do I automatically send certificates via email? What is the most efficient and agile way to send custom certificates in bulk in 2026? If these questions come to your mind, see this article to get tips and insights on how to save time and money by using reliable ways of distributing digital certificates via email messages.

How to send multiple certificates via email? Find out how to save money and time using reliable ways of distributing certificates via email.

How to Send Certificates Through Email in Bulk in 2026? | Certifier

How to Send Certificates Through Email in Bulk? 3 Ways to Do It In 2026

Find out what you need to know before offering Continuing Professional Education (CPE). Learn about the types of CPE. Correctly identify the right format for your company. Lastly, see how certifications can boost your professional development program outcomes. Don’t hesitate – start reading now.

Here is a list of the most common questions related to the CPE topic.

FAQs

Cover photo to the continuing professional education article.

large_Continuing Professional Education_Certifier blog_cover photo

medium_Continuing Professional Education_Certifier blog_cover photo

small_Continuing Professional Education_Certifier blog_cover photo

thumbnail_Continuing Professional Education_Certifier blog_cover photo

Continuing Professional Education_Certifier blog_cover photo

Do you want to start offering Continuing Professional Education (CPE)? Read this article to learn everything you need to always stay on top of your CPE game.

Types of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) | Certifier

Create professional CPE certificates with Certifier.

blog_article_certificate_blue_cta.svg

Create CPE certificates

Types of Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

Gamification is revolutionizing employee engagement. Explore the top gamification badges examples from global leaders to see how to turn daily tasks into rewards. 

Have questions about gamification badges? Read answers to the most common questions on badges gamification examples.

FAQ on gamification badges 

Boost workplace motivation with these top gamification badges examples. Learn why badges work, explore strategies from global leaders and create gamification badges for your team.

Search

All Articles

Create and Send Digital Credentials