Which Certification Is the Most Popular in Online Courses Today?

When you search for the most popular certification in online courses, you’re not just looking for a badge to put on your LinkedIn profile. You want something that opens doors, raises your pay, or helps you switch careers-fast. And in 2025, one certification stands out above the rest: the Google Career Certificate.

It’s not the oldest, and it’s not the most expensive. But it’s the one that’s actually changing lives. Over 1.5 million people have completed at least one Google Career Certificate since 2020. That’s more than all the CompTIA A+ certifications issued in the same period combined. And it’s not just because Google’s name is on it. It’s because these certs are built for real jobs, not just theory.

Why Google Career Certificates Are Winning

Before 2020, most online certs were either too academic (like a university diploma) or too narrow (like a single software tool). Google flipped that. Their certificates-like IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management, and UX Design-are designed with input from employers like IBM, Deloitte, and Walmart. They don’t ask you to memorize definitions. They ask you to build a spreadsheet, troubleshoot a network, or draft a project plan using real tools.

And the cost? $39 a month on Coursera. Most people finish in under six months. That’s less than the price of a used laptop. Compare that to a $1,500 Cisco certification or a $3,000 PMP exam prep course. Google’s certs are affordable, accessible, and work for people who can’t quit their jobs to study.

What’s Actually in Demand Right Now?

Let’s be clear: popularity doesn’t always mean value. But in 2025, the data backs up Google’s lead. LinkedIn’s 2025 Workforce Report shows that hiring managers listed “Google Career Certificate” as the top credential they’ve seen on resumes from entry-level applicants. Why? Because these candidates already know how to use Google Sheets, Jira, Trello, and basic SQL. They’ve done real projects. They’re not just theory-ready-they’re job-ready.

Other certs are strong too, but they serve different needs:

• HubSpot Inbound Marketing - Great for sales and marketing roles, especially in SMEs.
• Microsoft Certified: Fundamentals - Solid for cloud roles, but often a stepping stone, not a finish line.
• Cisco CCNA - Still the gold standard for network engineers, but requires more technical background.
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - Popular in tech-heavy industries, but less useful outside IT.

None of these have the same combination of low barrier to entry, broad job relevance, and employer trust that Google’s certs have.

Who Are These Certificates For?

These aren’t for people who already have degrees. They’re for people who don’t. The average Google Career Certificate learner is 32 years old. Half of them are women. Nearly 40% are switching careers. Many have kids. Some are working two jobs. Others are recovering from layoffs.

One woman in Atlanta finished the Data Analytics cert while working nights at a pharmacy. Six months later, she got hired as a junior analyst at a healthcare startup. No degree. No prior experience. Just the certificate and a portfolio of projects she built during the course.

Another man in Belfast, who’d been laid off from manufacturing, took the IT Support cert. He passed the final exam on a tablet in his kitchen. Three weeks later, he started as a helpdesk technician. His employer didn’t even ask for a CV. They just wanted to see his certificate and his capstone project.

What About Traditional Certifications?

Don’t get me wrong-certs like PMP, CISSP, or CFA still matter. But they’re for people who are already in the field. They’re not entry points. They’re upgrades.

For example, if you’re already working in project management and want to move up, PMP is still the gold standard. But if you’ve never managed a project before? Start with Google’s Project Management Certificate. It teaches you how to use Gantt charts, write scope statements, and manage timelines-without requiring years of experience.

Same with cybersecurity. CISSP requires five years of experience. But if you’re starting from zero, Google’s IT Support cert teaches you how to spot phishing emails, reset passwords, and secure a home network. That’s where most people begin.

How to Get Started

Here’s the simplest path:

1. Go to grow.google/certificates/
2. Pick one of the four main tracks: IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management, or UX Design.
3. Enroll on Coursera (you can start with a 7-day free trial).
4. Complete the modules. You’ll do hands-on labs using real tools like Excel, Tableau, and Figma.
5. Finish the capstone project. This is your portfolio piece.
6. Download your certificate and add it to your LinkedIn profile.

That’s it. No exams to book. No waiting for test centers. No $400 fees. Just you, a laptop, and a few hours a week.

What Comes After?

Google doesn’t stop at the certificate. They’ve partnered with over 150 employers-including Amazon, Best Buy, and Bank of America-to hire people who complete these programs. You don’t need to apply through a job board. Google sends your profile directly to hiring managers who are looking for candidates with these exact skills.

And if you want to go further? Many learners use the Google cert as a springboard. They go on to get an associate’s degree, or move into AWS or Microsoft certifications. But they don’t start there. They start with what’s accessible, proven, and actually hiring.

Is There a Downside?

Yes. Some employers still don’t know what these certs are. Especially in older industries or small towns. But that’s changing fast. In 2025, 78% of hiring managers in the U.S. and Europe recognize Google Career Certificates as valid credentials-up from 42% in 2022.

And if you’re applying for a job and they don’t recognize it? Show them your capstone project. Show them the actual work you did. That’s more convincing than any credential ever could be.

Bottom line: if you’re looking for the most popular certification in online courses today, it’s not about prestige. It’s about results. And right now, Google’s certs are delivering more results for more people than anything else out there.