If the ability to work with the things taught in that course is so dependent on GA, then I dare question the term "data analytics" for that certification. Data

If the ability to work with the things taught in that course is so dependent on GA, then I dare question the term "data analytics" for that certification. Data analytics is a general area of expertise, that is not bound to GA. Perhaps the certification should be called "Google Analytics Certification", instead of implying more knowledge and skill than is actually there. Data analytics has some statistics in it, these days probably a pinch of training ML models and using them and understanding them in the basics as well. Source: I did some work for a company specializing in creating courses for actually learning data analyst skills, as a preparation for switching careers towards data analyst jobs. I myself helped creating course content. The course is officially certified for job-seeking people as a means of learning a new job.