SEO / SEM Blog by Search Circus

The joke currently making the rounds in the new economy is that these days, everyone’s a consultant. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—great consultants can offer valuable insights and solutions. But how can a business tell a good Internet advertising consultant from a bad one?

If you have a business that could use a little help getting an effective AdWords campaign off the ground, then Google may have the answer. The company has quietly announced a new service that lets you search for an Internet advertising consultant who has been certified as an expert by Google.

In order for an Internet advertising consultant to be certified, they have to complete a rather rigorous program. To qualify as an AdWords expert, an Internet advertising consultant must have already completed a series of AdWords campaigns. Furthermore, the consultant must pass a series of exams. Google explains that a certified Internet advertising consultant is not a Google employee,

…but rather are online marketing professionals, agencies, and other individuals such as search engine marketers (SEMs), search engine optimizers (SEOs), and marketing consultants. They have been certified by Google to manage AdWords accounts. To become qualified, professionals must demonstrate an in-depth understanding of AdWords by passing exams, and they must meet all our qualification guidelines.

So what does this new AdWords Internet advertising consultant search actually do? It lets you search for certified AdWords pros by location. You can also find a qualified Internet advertising consultant by budget. And you can narrow your search for an Internet advertising consultant by the additional services they may offer.

Want to find a AdWords certified professional who also specializes in Web design? No problem. Want a social media expert? Google’s professional search can help you connect with one. Right now the Internet advertising consultant search is in beta, and it’s restricted to the United States, but expect that to change as Google makes it easier for the international Internet advertising consultant crowd to get certified.