Having certifications is really just a checkbox that helps get past stupid HR filters that would prevent you from getting to the interview in the first place. Or, best case, bump up the priority of your application.

Once you're in the interview the focus is no longer on "knows how to use X" but on "knows how to use X well", which besides technical trick questions to try to suss out whether you really understand the stuff you were tested on for the cert, also includes things like communication skills/style, handling disagreements and conflict, prioritizing, triage, etc.

Basically, not just can you do the work, but can you do the right work, and can you get stuff done.

I've got a few entry level certs as well, and I've had the same experience that you're describing. they're nice to have and they show a certain (minimal imo) amount of competency or knowledge, but they aren't really gonna unlock any doors. It's a line item on your resume, not a talking point in an interview.

The only place I've worked that really pushed certs was at a big-4 consultant which wanted a certain percentage of their employees to be certified, mainly for marketing reasons afaict. Even there, though, there was no salary increase for people with certifications, just a one time bonus of a few hundred dollars when you got the cert.