Digital already makes up roughly 46% of India's total ad spend, and the market is growing at a 15% CAGR through 2029. That growth has created steady demand for people who can actually run campaigns that convert not just talk about strategy. Here's a practical, ranked look at the top 10 performance marketing course in India, based on current fees, duration, and program details.
- IIM SKILLS – Performance Marketing Course with Gen AI
The most complete option on this list: over 55,000 students trained, a 4.9/5 rating from 3,000+ alumni, a 95% placement rate, and 550+ hiring partners. It runs 2 months live plus a 1-month virtual internship, priced at ₹24,900 (excl. taxes) with no-cost EMI, fully online with weekday/weekend batches.
Ten modules cover Meta Ads, Google Ads, social platforms like LinkedIn and Snapchat, ad copywriting, analytics, CRO, AI in marketing, and media planning, capped with a live capstone campaign. Students build 25+ assignments on real brands (Starbucks, Nike, HubSpot, Uber, Boat) and earn 13+ certifications including Google Skillshop, HubSpot Academy, and Meta Blueprint. This Performance Marketing Course is best for beginners, career switchers, and professionals wanting a genuinely job-ready program, with reported outcomes including an ₹18 LPA highest CTC and hiring by Google, Amazon, Deloitte, Myntra, and Mamaearth.
- upGrad – Advanced Certificate in Performance Marketing
A 3-month offline/hybrid course at ₹60,000, with EMI from ₹6,000/month and a ₹10,000 seat-blocking fee. Twelve topics span audience segmentation, Google and Meta Ads, programmatic/OTT, D2C marketing, and attribution analytics, using 15+ tools, plus a two-part capstone and career coaching. Certifications include upGrad's own, a Meta exam voucher, CleverTap, and NSDC. A good fit if you want a broader, tool-heavy curriculum and don't mind a hybrid commitment.
- IIDE – Advanced Certification in Digital Marketing (with Gen AI)
Mumbai-based IIDE has trained 500,000+ learners since 2016. The Advanced Certification runs 4 months (~₹1.25 lakhs); the full postgraduate program runs 11 months (₹6.65–8.85 lakhs), with fees across programs ranging ₹1.85–9.9 lakhs. Both are hybrid/online. The curriculum leans into D2C and e-commerce, covering SEO, SEM, social, and generative AI. IIDE reports a top 2025 package of ₹19 LPA and placement ties with McDonald's, boAt, Sony Music, and WPP. Note: the PG program requires clearing an aptitude test and interview.
- WsCube Tech – Performance Marketing Course (AI-Driven)
A budget-friendly Jaipur-based option: ₹20,000–25,000 for an 8–12 week live online course covering Google Ads, Meta Ads, and even Quora Marketing. Smaller hiring-partner network than the larger institutes, but solid for hands-on exposure at low cost and short commitment.
- Digital Vidya – Certified Digital Marketing Master (CDMM)
Runs 4–6 months at ₹55,000–65,000, with EMI from ₹5,417/month over 12 months. Performance marketing is one part of a broader curriculum alongside SEO, SEM, and email marketing. Evening batches (8:00–9:30 PM) suit working professionals.
- Simplilearn – Digital Marketing Bootcamp
Short and affordable: ₹20,999 for a 90-day bootcamp, or ₹15,999 self-paced with lifetime access. Covers PPC, display advertising, CRO, and analytics, with Google- and Microsoft-recognised certifications. Good entry point on a tight budget, though live mentorship and project depth are lighter than longer cohort programs.
- NIIT – Full Stack Digital Marketing Programme
Runs 20–24 weeks at approximately ₹65,000–75,000 plus GST, online/hybrid with weekday and weekend batches. Covers SEO, PPC, social media, and analytics, certified with the Digital Marketing Institute, Ireland. Performance marketing sits within a broader syllabus rather than as a standalone focus.
- Coursera (Meta) – Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate
Meta's own certificate via Coursera: 5–7 months, self-paced, around $49/month. Covers Meta Ads Manager, paid Facebook/Instagram advertising, and performance measurement. No live instructor support or India-specific placement help — the trade-off for low cost and flexibility.
- Google Skillshop – Google Ads Certifications
Not a full course, but a genuinely useful free resource. Each certification (Search, Display, Video, Measurement, Shopping) takes 3–4 hours, requiring an 80%+ score. Free, self-paced, and best used to supplement a structured course rather than as a standalone path.
- Henry Harvin – Performance Marketing / Digital Marketing Course
Runs 3–6 months at ₹30,000–60,000, online or offline, with internship support and tool-based certifications. A reasonable mid-range, internship-inclusive option, though mentor and batch quality vary more than at tightly run institutes.
How to Choose the Right Course
Curriculum depth: Real depth in Google and Meta Ads plus analytics, CRO, and AI tools — or just one module in a broader syllabus?
Practical projects: Real campaign-style assignments, not just lectures and quizzes.
Mentorship: Trainers with actual paid-campaign experience, and availability of 1:1 support.
Certification: Recognised certs (Google Skillshop, Meta Blueprint, HubSpot) alongside the institute's own.
Internship: Even virtual internships add real campaign exposure.
Placement support: Ask what it actually includes — mock interviews and resume tips are common; direct hiring access varies. Get current placement rates and hiring-partner numbers.
Total cost: Include hidden exam/certification charges; check EMI options.
Mode: Self-paced flexibility vs. the accountability of live batches.
Industry relevance: Look for curricula updated for AI-driven ad platforms, since generative AI is reshaping how campaigns are planned and run.
Career Paths After a Performance Marketing Course
Performance Marketing Executive – manages day-to-day paid campaigns
Performance Marketing Specialist – campaign strategy, optimisation, ROI
PPC Specialist – pay-per-click, primarily Google Ads
Paid Media Specialist – campaigns across multiple ad networks
Google Ads Specialist – search, display, and video campaigns
Meta Ads Specialist – Facebook and Instagram advertising
Digital Marketing Manager – broader strategy, with performance marketing as one component
These roles stay in steady demand across e-commerce, D2C, agencies, fintech, and edtech. Reported average salaries for performance marketing managers sit around ₹13 LPA, with senior specialists earning more based on experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a performance marketing course? It teaches learners to plan, launch, and optimise paid campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and Meta Ads, focused on measurable outcomes such as leads, sales, and ROI.
Which is the best performance marketing course in India? Depends on budget and goals. IIM SKILLS suits live training and career support; WsCube Tech and Simplilearn are more budget-friendly.
Do I need prior experience to join? No. Most courses, including IIM SKILLS, are designed for beginners.
How much do these courses cost in India? From free (Google Skillshop) to ₹20,000–35,000 for short courses, ₹50,000–75,000 for mid-range programs, and several lakhs for postgraduate options.
Is a certification useful for getting a job? Yes, especially combined with hands-on project experience.
Can I learn performance marketing online? Yes — live, hybrid, and self-paced options exist from IIM SKILLS, Digital Vidya, Simplilearn, and Coursera.
What's the difference between performance marketing and digital marketing courses? Digital marketing covers a wider scope (SEO, content, social, email); performance marketing focuses on measurable paid channels like Google and Meta Ads.
How long does it take to complete a course? From a few hours for a single certification to 2–6 months for structured courses, and longer for postgraduate programs.
