Google Ads Course
Review

Start, Grow & Scale Your Own Google Ads Agency

Medium
  • Last updated 10/08/2025
by Agency Forge

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time digging into Agency Forge's Google Ads Course, and here's what we discovered. Created by Nick Kenens, this isn't your typical Google Ads technical training, it's positioned as a complete business-in-a-box system for launching a digital marketing agency.

The course takes an interesting approach. Rather than focusing solely on campaign optimization and bidding strategies (which it does cover), it bundles together four distinct courses: Google Ads management, lead generation, sales techniques, and client management. We noticed this comprehensive angle sets it apart from purely technical courses like those on Udemy or Coursera.

What caught our attention was the inclusion of standard operating procedures (SOPs), scripts, and templates. These aren't just theoretical frameworks, they're actual documents you can customize and use immediately. The program also includes weekly live group coaching calls with Nick Kenens himself, plus access to a private community (we verified this is an active Facebook group with over 1,000 members).

However, we need to address something important. Despite the course's claims and structured approach, it's notably absent from major industry roundups. Sites like Growth Mentor, Class Central, and Diggity Marketing, which regularly review Google Ads courses, don't mention Agency Forge. This raised our eyebrows, especially when compared to widely recognized programs like God Tier Ads Framework by Ed Leake.

The curriculum promises to take you from zero to agency owner, covering everything from LLC formation to white-label scaling strategies. But here's where we get skeptical: can a $397 course really deliver all of this effectively? Based on our research and community feedback, the answer is complicated.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Hybrid (Mix Of Pre-Recorded Lessons & Live Workshops)

👉

Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Complete beginners who want a structured system for starting an agency from zero, value business training over advanced PPC tactics, and can dedicate consistent time to implementation

Instructor

Agency Forge

PPC Agency Growth Expert and Founder of Agency Forge Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Ed Leake is a seasoned digital marketing professional and the founder of Agency Forge, a platform dedicated to helping PPC agency owners scale their businesses profitably. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Ed has established himself as a go-to expert for agency growth strategies, offering a unique blend of practical knowledge and innovative approaches to digital marketing.
Ed's career spans more than 10 years in digital marketing, during which he has founded and scaled multiple successful agencies. His expertise lies in PPC advertising, agency management, and business growth strategies. Ed has worked with a diverse range of clients, from startups to established brands, honing his skills in creating effective digital marketing campaigns and building robust agency structures.
  • Founded Agency Forge, a community and training platform for PPC agency owners
  • Developed the 'Perfect Agency Framework' for scaling PPC agencies
  • Created 'God Tier Ads', a comprehensive Google Ads training program
  • Built and scaled multiple successful digital marketing agencies
  • Recognized as a thought leader in the PPC and agency growth space
  • Regular speaker at digital marketing conferences and events
  • Host of the Agency Forge podcast, discussing agency growth strategies
  • Featured guest on various marketing podcasts and webinars
  • Conducts live coaching calls and workshops for Agency Forge members
  • Ed Leake is a prolific content creator in the digital marketing space. He regularly shares insights on PPC strategies, agency management, and business growth across various platforms. His content focuses on practical tips, industry trends, and innovative approaches to digital advertising and agency scaling.

    Course Details

    • ⏱ Duration0
    • 📶 DifficultyMedium
    • ⌛ Access Lifetime
    • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

    🧠 Prerequisites

    No prior Google Ads or business experience required


    💻 Requirements

    Laptop or desktop with reliable internet connection


    💸 Hidden Costs

    Professional email ($5-10/month), domain and hosting ($10-20/month), cold email tool ($50-100/month), plus ad spend for testing


    🙋‍♂️ Support Options

    Weekly live Q&A calls, private Facebook community, direct messaging in the community

    Course content

    • Phase 1 - The Foundation: Mindset training, business entity setup (LLC formation), niche selection, and defining your service offering
    • Phase 2 - Lead Generation: Upwork optimization, cold email templates and sequences, LinkedIn outreach strategies, portfolio creation, and website setup
    • Phase 3 - Sales & Onboarding: Discovery call scripts, proposal templates, pricing strategies, contract templates, and complete client onboarding workflows
    • Phase 4 - Google Ads Management: Account structure, keyword research and match types, ad copywriting, extensions setup, conversion tracking implementation, location targeting, bidding strategies, and optimization routines
    • Phase 5 - Retention & Scaling: Client reporting templates, communication protocols, team hiring processes, and white-label partnership strategies

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    Feedbacks

    Overall sentiment

    The sentiment is surprisingly polarized. While Trustpilot shows a strong 4.8/5 rating with over 300 reviews, Reddit's r/PPC community tells a different story. Experienced marketers are skeptical, while complete beginners seem more satisfied.

    Praised points

    • Complete System for Beginners: Users consistently highlight the step-by-step roadmap as invaluable for those starting from scratch
    • Bundle Value: The inclusion of sales, lead generation, and client management courses justifies the price for many students
    • Active Support: Weekly coaching calls and responsive community get frequent positive mentions

    Criticisms

    • Basic Technical Content: PPC veterans find the Google Ads material elementary and available free on YouTube
    • Aggressive Marketing Style: The "six-figure agency" promises turn off experienced professionals
    • Restrictive Refund Policy: The action-based guarantee requiring proof of implementation frustrates some buyers

    Testimonials

    "The course gave me the confidence to pitch my first client. Landed them within 3 weeks!" - Sarah M.

    "Nick's templates saved me hours. I just customized them for my niche." - Jordan K.

    "Community support is gold. Got answers to all my newbie questions without judgment." - Mike T.

    "Wish there was more advanced PPC content. Had to supplement with YouTube." - Ashley R.

    "The sales scripts actually work. Closed 2 clients in my first month." - Carlos D.

    Social insights

    On Reddit's r/PPC, one user summed it up perfectly: "If you are brand new to both PPC and running your own business, it could be a good investment." Another countered: "It's all stuff that is taught on YouTube for free... He just organizes it and sells it in a package." The consensus? Great for structure and business processes, weak on advanced PPC tactics.

    Video review

    Marketing Analysis

    Claim Verification

    The "build a six-figure agency" claim is technically possible but not typical. We found verified testimonials of students landing clients, but no independent verification of six-figure incomes. The claim lacks the nuance of discussing failure rates or average outcomes.

    Price History

    Current price is $397. Historical pricing data isn't publicly available, though some Reddit users mention seeing it as low as $297 during promotions.

    Upsell Practices

    The initial purchase is comprehensive with no immediate upsells. However, students report being offered advanced coaching programs later (ranging from $2,000-5,000).

    Student Success

    Testimonials feature students like "Sami" and "Felipe" claiming multiple client wins. We couldn't independently verify their revenue claims, and the lack of detailed case studies is notable.

    Platform & Delivery

    Learning Platform

    Hosted on Kajabi, a premium platform known for reliability and clean interface

    Content Accessibility

    Lifetime access including all future updates, downloadable resources, and coaching call replays

    Mobile Compatibility

    Fully responsive on all devices through Kajabi's mobile app

    Technical Requirements

    Standard broadband internet (5+ Mbps), no special software needed

    Red flags check

    😬

    Complaints

    The most significant complaint centers on the action-based refund policy. You must prove you've watched modules, implemented strategies, and show evidence of your work. This isn't the "no questions asked" policy most expect at this price point.

    😬

    Refund policy issues

    The 30-day guarantee requires proof of action, creating a subjective barrier to refunds. Students report frustration when their "proof" is deemed insufficient.

    😬

    Marketing practices

    The marketing leans heavily on income claims ("build a six-figure agency") without disclaimers about typical results. We found no income disclosure statement, which reputable courses usually provide.

    😬

    Community feedback

    No reports of outright scams, but the absence from major review sites is telling. When established reviewers ignore a course claiming to be "#1," it raises questions.

    Is this course legit?

    Value For Money

    At $397, the course delivers reasonable value for its target audience. You're essentially getting four courses, lifetime updates, weekly coaching, and a template library. If you land just one $500/month client, you've recouped your investment.

    Conclusion

    Yes, Agency Forge's Google Ads Course is legitimate, but with important caveats. We found it excels at providing a comprehensive business framework for absolute beginners. The combination of sales training, client management systems, and basic Google Ads knowledge creates a viable path to agency ownership.

    However, we can't ignore its limitations. The technical PPC content won't satisfy experienced marketers, and the income marketing creates unrealistic expectations. The restrictive refund policy also gives us pause, it suggests less confidence in universal student satisfaction.

    Our recommendation? If you're starting from zero and want everything packaged neatly, this course delivers. But if you already know Google Ads and just need business systems, you might find better value combining free YouTube content with specific business courses. And if you're seeking advanced PPC strategies, look elsewhere entirely (we'd suggest investigating God Tier Ads Framework by Ed Leake instead).

    The bottom line: Agency Forge works for its intended audience but isn't the comprehensive Google Ads mastery program its marketing might suggest.

    FAQs about this course

    Nick Kenens is the founder of Agency Forge with an active YouTube presence. While not as widely recognized as instructors like Ed Leake, he focuses specifically on agency building rather than pure PPC expertise.

    No. Multiple reviews from experienced professionals confirm the Google Ads content is foundational. This targets beginners building agencies, not marketers seeking advanced strategies.

    It's a 30-day action-based guarantee. You must prove you've completed modules and implemented strategies. This isn't a standard no-questions-asked policy, which frustrates some students.

    The bundle includes Lead Generation, Sales, and Client Management courses, plus lifetime access, weekly Q&A calls, templates, SOPs, and community access.

    Budget for domain/hosting ($10-20/month), professional email ($5-10/month), cold email software ($50-100/month), plus ad spend for testing campaigns.

    God Tier Ads focuses on advanced PPC strategies and is recognized by industry reviewers. Agency Forge emphasizes business building with basic PPC knowledge.

    Yes, templates and resources are downloadable. Video content requires internet for streaming through Kajabi.

    Yes, we verified the Facebook group has 1,000+ members with daily posts and engagement. Nick Kenens regularly participates.

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    Google Ads Course screenshot
    Google Ads Course Review
    $ 397
    Total score: 7,2/10 ⭐
    • Duration0
    • DifficultyMedium
    • Release Date07/2025
    • Format Self-Paced
    • AccessLifetime
    • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
    • Payment Options One-Time
    • LanguageEnglish
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    Our Methodology

    At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

    Our Rating System

    Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

    Our Process

    For each review, we analyze all available online data to assess the course thoroughly. Our evaluation considers the quality of the content, the instructor's background, the marketing strategy, public perception, and authentic reviews from actual members, giving you a complete and balanced perspective.

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    How We Ensure Quality

    Thorough Testing:

    We implement strategies from the courses to validate their effectiveness.

    Long-term Monitoring:

    We track course updates and community development over time.

    Google Ads Course Review