How to Add Someone to Your Google Ads Account

Need to give someone access to your Google Ads account? Whether you're working with an agency, a consultant, or adding a team member, the process is quick and straightforward. Proper access management ensures your campaigns stay secure while allowing trusted partners to optimize your paid media performance.

Before granting access, consider what level of permissions the person truly needs. Over-provisioning access can create security risks, while under-provisioning can slow down campaign management. This guide covers both individual user access and manager account (MCC) linking.

How to Add a User to Google Ads (6 Steps)

1. From the Overview screen, click on 'Tools And Settings' in the top right (the wrench icon)
2. Click 'Access and security' under the Setup section
3. Click the blue + icon to add a new user
4. In the 'Email' field, enter the email address of the person you wish to provide access to
5. Select the account access level you would like to provide (see options below)
6. Click the blue 'Send invitation' button at the bottom

That's it! Once the person accepts the invitation, they will be able to access your Google Ads account.

Understanding Access Levels

When adding someone to your Google Ads account, you'll need to choose an access level:

Recommendation: When working with a marketing consultant or agency, I typically ask for either Standard or Admin access to be able to make campaign optimizations and configurations effectively.

Manager Account (MCC) vs Individual User Access

If you're working with an agency that manages multiple client accounts, they may ask you to link your account to their Manager Account (also called an MCC). This is different from adding an individual user:

• Individual User: Best for team members, freelancers, or single consultants. They log in with their own Google account.
• Manager Account (MCC): Best for agencies managing multiple clients. Provides centralized access and doesn't require invitation acceptance for each user.

To link a Manager Account, you'll need the Manager Customer ID from the agency. Go to Tools & Settings → Account access → Managers, then click the blue + icon and enter the 10-digit Manager Customer ID.

Tips for Account Access Management

• Use business email addresses: For security and organization, use work emails rather than personal accounts
• Review access regularly: Periodically check who has access and remove users who no longer need it
• Start with Standard: You can always upgrade someone to Admin later if needed
• Keep Admin access limited: Only give Admin access to people who truly need full control

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you're having trouble adding users, here are solutions to common problems:

• Can't find Access and Security: Make sure you have Admin access to the account. Only Admins can manage user permissions.
• User didn't receive invitation: Check that you entered the correct email address. Also ask them to check spam/junk folders.
• Wrong access level assigned: You can edit a user's access level anytime by clicking on their email in the Access and Security page.
• Need to remove access: Click the three dots next to the user's name and select "Remove access."

What If the Invitation Expires?

Invitations expire after 14 days. If someone doesn't accept in time, simply follow the same steps to send a new invitation. The original invitation will be automatically canceled when you send a new one.

Related Account Access Guides

If you're also giving this person access to other marketing platforms, you may find these guides helpful:

• How to give someone access to Google Analytics - Grant reporting and analysis permissions
• How to add users to Google Tag Manager - Allow tracking configuration management