While the certificate shows that you have completed your course, Lynda’s certificates don’t prove that you have gained competency in a new skill. To gain the certificate and complete the course, most of the time, you are watching videos. While these videos can be incredibly helpful and often expert-led, you don’t necessarily need to watch them complete the course.
You could simply leave the videos running in the background and complete the course without having learned anything! While that does call into question the validity of the course, they can be helpful ways to learn a new skill or boost your resume.
Some employers will consider Lynda courses and certificates when looking for employees, but they tend only to hold worth with employers using LinkedIn as they aren’t certified. They can’t be used towards any degrees or other courses, but they provide worthwhile knowledge that can further your career if used correctly.