Social media certifications can help you build the skills to secure a social media marketing job without prior experience or a related university degree.
In this post, you'll find accredited certifications worth pursuing. They will teach you the latest techniques to succeed as a social media professional.
Top Social Media Certifications
- Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate By Meta
- Digital Marketing Certification By Reliablesoft
- Social Media Marketing Specialization By Coursera
- Social Media Marketing Masterclass By Udemy
- Social Media Marketing Certificate By Cornell
- Social Media Marketing Certification By Hubspot
- Advanced Social Media Strategy Course By Hootsuite
- Certified Digital Marketing Associate By Meta Blueprint
- Social Media Certification By DMI
- Social Media Marketing By OMI
1. Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate By Meta
- Cost: $245
- Duration: 5 Months
- Certificate: Yes
The Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate by Meta prepares you for a career in social media marketing.
This certification focuses on providing job-ready skills to start landing clients or applying for entry-level marketing roles instantly.
Available in various languages, including Portuguese and Spanish, it gives learners 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 to apply for related positions.
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, you should have enthusiasm for social media, a basic knowledge of the internet, and a Meta (Facebook) account.
This course will likely be best for you if you’re particularly interested in advertising on Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta-owned platforms.
What you’ll learn?
The certificate includes six courses, as shown below. To get certified, you must complete all courses, including the capstone course.
As part of the capstone course, you'll have to prepare a presentation to make recommendations for improving a social marketing campaign and pass the Meta Digital Marketing Associate Certification Exam.
| Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Social Media Marketing | 15 hours |
| Social Media Management | 12 hours |
| Fundamentals of Social Media Advertising | 9 hours |
| Advertising with Meta | 10 hours |
| Measure and Optimize Social Media Marketing Campaigns | 8 hours |
| Meta Social Media Marketing Capstone | 6 hours |
The lessons cover everything a social media manager might need to succeed on channels like Facebook and Instagram, including tips on establishing and managing 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 program costs $245 and takes approximately 5 months to complete at a pace of 10 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.
You can read our Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate Review for details about the courses, exams, the actual time needed to complete this certification, and more.
2. Digital Marketing Certification By Reliablesoft
- Cost: $149
- Duration: 2 Weeks
- Certificate: Yes
One certification worth considering is the Digital Marketing Certification offered by Reliablesoft Academy. It's a comprehensive course covering several essential aspects of social media, including social media marketing, Facebook and Instagram ads, and Retargeting.
Upon completing the course, you can pursue an accredited Digital Marketing Certification, the most valuable certification in digital marketing.
Who is this for?
This certification is for anyone wishing to build their social media skills from the ground up. It includes 14 courses covering all the critical 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 $149, and it takes around 2 weeks to complete the lessons and pass the required exams fully.
Enrolling in this course gives you 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 consider the latest techniques and practices.
3. Social Media Marketing Specialization By Coursera
- Cost: $49
- Duration: 1 Month
- Certificate: Yes
The Social Media Marketing Specialization by Northwestern University will teach you how to expand your online audience and establish your social brand.
This specialization is updated quarterly, 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 aspect” of social media marketing.
You must complete six courses and pass all graded assignments to get certified.
| Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| What is Social? | 7 hours |
| The Importance of Listening | 8 hours |
| Engagement & Nurture Marketing Strategies | 9 hours |
| Content, Advertising & Social IMC | 8 hours |
| The Business of Social | 6 hours |
| Social Marketing Capstone Project | 7 hours |
Who is this for?
This 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 interested in multi-channel marketing strategies because it introduces advertising techniques that can be used on any social media platform.
What you’ll learn?
You’ll learn about social media's benefits for businesses and the importance of listening to your audience across multiple channels.
Topics covered include:
- 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 social and mobile marketing.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take to complete?
The total cost is $49 and will take approximately 1 month to complete at a learning pace of 10 hours per week.
You can also complete the course faster if you have more time to devote to learning.
4. Social Media Marketing Masterclass By Udemy
- Cost: $99.99
- Duration: 20 hours
- Certificate: Yes
The Social Media Marketing masterclass by Udemy is ideal for beginners who want to develop their understanding of social media marketing as a core component of an extensive digital marketing strategy.
While the main focus of the course is social media, you’ll also learn how to create blog posts, produce audio content, and promote videos.
Who is this for?
This course is great for digital advertising enthusiasts. It covers everything you need to know about the art and science of social media, focusing on platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Students can access 42 insightful lessons and a private Facebook community where attendees can share up-to-date advice and guidance on mastering social media marketing.
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, which is split into 42 modules, is available for $99.99. It includes 20 hours of content and access to a private community where you can continue your learning. You can choose exactly how quickly you want to finish the course.
5. Social Media Marketing Certificate By eCornell
- Cost: $3600
- Duration: 3 Months
- Certificate: Yes
The Social Media Marketing Certificate program by eCornell will teach you how to develop a strategic approach to using various social media platforms.
You'll learn to create meaningful, impactful, authentic social media marketing campaigns.
Who is this for?
It is ideal for people who want to learn more about structuring social media campaigns for their businesses 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?
This course goes beyond the basics of social media marketing to explore social media's impact across the sales funnel and how the right posts can influence customer decisions.
During 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?
The total cost, including the certification, is $3,600 and takes 3 months to complete.
It includes seven courses, which are broken down into bite-sized segments to make it easier to consume.
6. Social Media Marketing Certification By Hubspot
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 4 hours
- Certificate: Yes
The Social Media Strategy Certification by HubSpot is a free course for anyone who wants to become certified in social media strategy.
You’ll learn how to build loyalty and attract new customers across various channels, what it means to drive word of mouth, and how to create user-generated content.
Who is this for?
It is ideal for social media marketers, aspiring marketers, marketing managers, and business owners hoping to develop their social media strategies. The course includes topics on how larger companies and brands can leverage the power of social media.
What you’ll learn?
The course starts with an introduction to building a comprehensive social media strategy, using social listening and monitoring to understand your audience.
Through the lessons, you’ll develop skills for:
- Building a content strategy on social media and integrating it with other inbound marketing channels.
- Extending your reach on social media and building customer relationships.
- Measuring your return on investment in 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 free, and it will take around 4 hours to complete all the lessons and the certificate exam.
You can also expand your education by taking related HubSpot courses, such as lessons on Facebook and Instagram marketing.
7. Advanced Social Media Strategy Course By Hootsuite
- Cost: $199
- Duration: 6 hours
- Certificate: Yes
The Advanced Social Media Strategy Course by Hootsuite will teach you the core principles of social media marketing across multiple social channels.
Who is this for?
This beginner-level course is an excellent choice for freelance and social media managers hoping to improve their careers. It is also useful for business leaders since it includes lessons on managing social media teams.
What you’ll learn?
The lessons start with simple topics like building social profiles on different channels and setting goals, KPIs, and objectives for each campaign.
As you progress through the various modules, 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 strategy.
- Use paid social media ads and ensure you’re reaching your ROI targets.
- Manage a team of social media experts as a social media 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 By Meta Blueprint
- Cost: Free
- Duration: Self-Paced
- Certificate: Yes
Created by Meta, the Certified Digital Marketing Associate course will teach you how to use Meta platforms (like Facebook and Instagram) to establish your 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 engaging content.
Who is this for?
This course was designed for marketers and business leaders who want to learn how to utilize Meta platforms to reach and engage with their target audience.
What you’ll learn?
During the course, you’ll learn how to:
- Use marketing tools like the Meta Ads Manager.
- Create ads on Facebook and Instagram.
- Create and measure the performance of your paid campaigns.
- Learn about the different campaigns across Meta apps.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take to complete?
The course is free; each lesson takes 10-20 minutes. You can finish the course at your own pace.
Read our Facebook Blueprint Certification review for details on how to study for this certification, pass the exams, and other useful information.
9. Social Media Certification By DMI
- Cost: $1442
- Duration: Self-Paced
- Certificate: Yes
The Social Media Certification By Digital Marketing Institute offers a quick way to build your social media expertise.
It includes 10 interactive modules covering the most popular social platforms. You can also access practical toolkits for building social media calendars and campaigns.
Who is this for?
The course is designed for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, business leaders, and marketing experts looking to expand their skills.
What you’ll learn?
This course breaks the complex social media marketing world into easy-to-follow modules. It offers practical advice on the most common channels, like Facebook, Instagram, X (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 course costs $1442 and can be completed at your own pace.
10. Social Media Marketing By OMI
- Cost: $859
- Duration: 7 hours
- Certificate: Yes
The Social Media Marketing course from the Online Marketing Institute is great for beginners. No prior knowledge of social media marketing is required.
This “Level 1” course provides a deep understanding of social media promotional methods, with insights into various popular channels like Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram.
Who is this for?
This course is intended for beginners who want to start a new career in social media marketing.
What you’ll learn?
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 social media profiles on popular channels.
- Create engaging content.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take to complete?
The total cost is $859, containing 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.
Compare Social Media Marketing Certification Programs
The table below compares the cost and duration of the most popular social media marketing certificates.
| Certification | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate By Meta | $245 | 5 months |
| Digital Marketing Certification By Reliablesoft | $149 | 2 weeks |
| Social Media Marketing Specialization By Coursera | $49 | 1 month |
| Social Media Marketing Masterclass By Udemy | $99.99 | 20 hours |
| Social Media Marketing Certificate By eCornell | $3600 | 3 months |
| Social Media Marketing Certification By Hubspot | Free | 4 hours |
| Advanced Social Media Strategy Course By Hootsuite | $199 | 6 hours |
| Certified Digital Marketing Associate By Meta Blueprint | Free | Self-Paced |
| Social Media Certification By DMI | $1442 | Self-Paced |
| Social Media Marketing By OMI | $859 | 7 hours |
Are Social Media Certifications Worth It?
Getting a social media certification can set you apart from the competition. With social media managers earning over $70,000 per year and the demand for social media advertising skills rising, these certifications are more valuable than ever.
While anyone can use a social media platform and try out its features, having a recognized certification demonstrates expertise and commitment to potential employers or clients.
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 experts either work freelance 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 using 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.
- Social media marketer: These professionals often work as part of a comprehensive team of marketing experts, focusing primarily on creating social media content.
Our Certificate Review Process
We've reviewed popular training providers to help you find the best social media certification. The courses were chosen based on the quality of the lessons and certification reputation.
All certification courses are suited for beginners. 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 courses don't offer certification, but they can help you build job-ready skills.
- 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.
