Where to Find Google Ads Tutorials and Training Resources

TL;DR: The best Google Ads tutorials start with Google's free Skillshop certification. For hands-on learning, YouTube channels like Aaron Young and Solutions 8 offer practical, up-to-date walkthroughs. Paid courses on Udemy offer structured learning for under $20. And Google's own Help Center covers every feature in detail. Start free, go paid only if you need structure.

There's no shortage of Google Ads tutorials online. The problem is finding ones that are current, practical, and not just trying to sell you a course that rehashes Google's own documentation.

Whether you're setting up your first campaign or trying to improve results on an existing account, this guide points you to the best tutorials, courses, and help resources for learning Google Ads in 2026.

Best Free Google Ads Tutorials

Google Skillshop (Official Google Training)

Google's own training platform offers free courses covering every campaign type, bidding strategy, and measurement tool in Google Ads. Completing the courses lets you earn a Google Ads certification, which looks good on a resume or agency profile.

The downside: the content is thorough but sometimes feels like a product tour rather than practical advice. It teaches you how features work but doesn't always explain when to use them or what works best in real campaigns.

Link: skillshop.withgoogle.com

Google Ads YouTube Channel

Google's official YouTube channel publishes regular updates about new features and best practices. The production quality is good, but keep in mind: Google's advice tends to lean toward strategies that benefit Google's revenue (broader targeting, higher budgets, automated everything).

Treat it as one perspective, not gospel.

WordStream Blog and PPC University

WordStream (now part of LocaliQ) has one of the most comprehensive libraries of Google Ads content on the web. Their PPC University section offers free structured lessons that cover everything from account setup to advanced optimization.

The writing is clear and practical, and they update content regularly. This is one of the best free resources for intermediate-level learning.

Best Paid Google Ads Courses

Udemy Google Ads Courses

Udemy typically has several highly-rated Google Ads courses priced between $15 and $30 during frequent sales. Look for courses with 4.5+ star ratings and thousands of reviews. The best ones walk you through real account setups with screen recordings.

Top picks tend to include courses by Isaac Rudansky and courses focused specifically on Search campaigns rather than trying to cover everything at once.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers professional-level Google Ads courses that are included with a LinkedIn Premium subscription. The content is well-produced and business-oriented, though it can lag behind the latest Google Ads interface changes.

Isaac Rudansky's Google Ads Course

One of the most-enrolled Google Ads courses on Udemy. Rudansky explains concepts clearly with practical examples and real campaigns. At 30+ hours of content, it's comprehensive. Best for beginners who want a structured, thorough walkthrough.

YouTube Channels Worth Following

Free YouTube content has gotten remarkably good for Google Ads. Here are three channels that consistently deliver practical, updated advice.

Aaron Young (Define Digital Academy)

Aaron publishes detailed Google Ads tutorials with a focus on strategy, not just button-clicking. His videos often cover real campaign setups and optimization decisions. Well-organized playlists make it easy to follow a structured learning path.

Solutions 8

Solutions 8 is a Google Ads agency that publishes educational content regularly. Their videos tend to cover more advanced topics like account structure, Performance Max campaigns, and scaling strategies. Good for intermediate to advanced learners.

Surfside PPC

Surfside PPC offers clear, no-nonsense tutorials that cover both Google Ads and Meta Ads. The channel is particularly good for beginners who want step-by-step screen recordings of the actual setup process.

Official Help Resources from Google

Google Ads Help Center

The most complete reference for any Google Ads question. Every setting, feature, and policy is documented. It's not designed as a tutorial, but when you need to know exactly how something works, this is where you go.

Link: support.google.com/google-ads

Google Ads Community Forum

A peer-support forum where advertisers ask questions and Google product experts provide answers. Quality varies, but it's useful for troubleshooting specific issues that aren't covered in standard documentation.

Google Ads Certification

Earning a Google Ads certification through Skillshop demonstrates baseline competency. It requires passing an exam after completing the coursework. Certifications are valid for one year and cover Search, Display, Video, Shopping, and Measurement.

Blogs and Newsletters for Ongoing Learning

Google Ads changes frequently. Staying current matters. These resources help:

• Search Engine Land: Covers Google Ads news and updates as they happen.
• PPC Hero: Practical PPC strategy articles from Hanapin Marketing (now Brainlabs).
• Google Ads blog: Official announcements about new features and changes.
• Grow Wild Agency blog: We publish practical guides on Google Ads, SEO, and GEO strategy for businesses in industries like car rental, tourism, and hospitality.

Learning Google Ads vs. Hiring a Professional

Learning Google Ads yourself is absolutely possible, and the resources above can get you there. But there's a real cost to the learning curve. The months you spend figuring things out are months where your campaigns may underperform.

If your ad budget is over $2,000/month, the math often favors hiring someone who already knows what they're doing. A good manager or agency will typically save you more in wasted spend than they cost in fees.

For smaller budgets, DIY makes sense. Just commit to ongoing learning and don't set up a campaign and forget about it.

Don't Forget: The Ads Landscape Is Changing

While you're learning Google Ads, it's worth knowing that the way people search is shifting. AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity increasingly provide direct answers and recommendations instead of traditional search results.

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is how businesses make sure they show up in those AI-generated answers. It works alongside your SEO and Google Ads to cover the full spectrum of how customers find businesses in 2026.

Want to skip the learning curve? Grow Wild Agency manages Google Ads campaigns for businesses that want results without the DIY grind. Let's talk.