Add a Google Ads User Without Sharing Your Login

To add a user in Google Ads, sign in as an Admin, open Admin > Access and security, click the plus button, enter the person’s Google Account email, choose the right access level, and send the invitation. They can access the account as soon as they accept it.

Use the lowest permission level that lets the person do their job. For most agencies or PPC specialists, Standard access is usually enough. Keep Admin access for trusted owners who need to manage users, account settings, or billing. Never share your own login credentials.

Google Ads access applies to the entire account, not one campaign. Removing a user’s access stops their ability to view or make changes, but it does not pause live campaigns. This guide explains how to invite, edit, and remove users while keeping your account secure and your ads running.

I am Ronnie Katz, founder and Principal CEO of BullsEye Internet Marketing, with more than 20 years of online marketing experience. I have helped businesses manage Google Ads add user permissions, account access, PPC campaigns, and reporting with a focus on secure, measurable growth.

Discover more about google ads add user:

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Understanding Google Ads Access Levels and User Permissions

Sharing your login credentials puts your data, your budget, and your business profile at risk. When we consult with business owners, our first step is helping them secure their foundation by assigning individual user profiles with customized permissions. Following a structured comprehensive Google Ads guide ensures your account remains protected as your marketing team expands.

Google Ads provides five primary user roles, each built for a specific level of responsibility:

• Admin Access: Gives total control over the advertising account. Admins can adjust ad copy, overhaul budgets, manage linked accounts, update banking information, and invite or remove other users. Every business should maintain at least two administrative users so you avoid getting locked out if an employee leaves.
• Standard Access: The best fit for external PPC agencies, marketing contractors, and dedicated internal campaign managers. Standard users can create, edit, pause, and optimize campaigns, but they cannot grant access to other users or alter master billing details.
• Read-Only Access: Designed for auditors, business consultants, or executive stakeholders who need visibility into campaign return on ad spend (ROAS) and ad copy without the risk of accidental edits or budget changes.
• Billing Access: Ideal for accounting teams and finance managers who need to download tax invoices, update credit card details, and manage payment profiles without interacting with keyword bids or ads.
• Email-Only Access: Created for stakeholders who do not need platform access but must receive automated reporting sheets, billing receipts, and administrative alerts directly in their inbox.

How to Use Google Ads Add User Workflows Step by Step

Granting account access is a simple, three-step process built directly into the Google Ads platform. Before inviting new team members, review the official guide on managing access to your Google Ads account for the latest platform requirements.

Step 1: Navigate to Access and Security Settings

1. Sign in to your primary Google Ads account using administrative credentials.
2. Click the Admin gear icon located in the navigation panel on the left side of your screen (or open the Tools and Settings wrench menu in older navigation layouts).
3. Select Access and security. This displays the centralized user management dashboard, which lists all active users, their assigned roles, and pending invitations.

Step 2: Use Google Ads Add User Prompts to Assign Roles

1. On the Users tab, click the blue + (plus) button in the upper left corner.
2. Enter the email address of the person you are inviting. This email must be a registered Google Account or a business email workspace linked to Google identity services.
3. Select the appropriate access level (Admin, Standard, Read-only, Billing, or Email-only) based on their role.
4. Click Send invitation.

Step 3: Accept Invitation and Verify Account Access

• The Recipient’s Step: The invited user receives an automated email from Google Ads containing an acceptance link. They must open the email, click Accept Invitation, and sign in using the designated Google account.
• Troubleshooting Invitation Errors: If the invitee encounters a login loop or permission error, have them open the link inside an incognito browser window to make sure they are signed into the correct Google account.
• Invitation Expiration: Invitations remain valid for approximately 30 days. If an invitation expires, an Admin must cancel the pending invite and resend it.

Managing, Modifying, and Revoking User Permissions

Routine account maintenance is critical for data security. Knowing what business owners should know before running campaigns includes enforcing the principle of least privilege—giving team members only the access they need to perform their work.

Editing Existing User Roles and Permissions

When an employee takes on new duties or an agency expands its scope of work, you can update their permission level without deleting their profile:

1. Navigate to Admin > Access and security.
2. Find the person’s email address in the Users list.
3. Hover over their current access level in the Access level column.
4. Click the drop-down arrow, choose their new permission tier, and confirm the update. The new role takes effect immediately.

How to Remove User Access Without Disrupting Active Campaigns

When an employee leaves your company or an agency contract ends, you should revoke their access immediately:

1. Navigate to Admin > Access and security.
2. Locate the user in the table and find the Actions column on the right.
3. Click Remove access and confirm your choice.

Will removing a user pause your campaigns? No. Removing a user immediately cuts off their platform visibility and editing capabilities, but your active campaigns, automated bidding strategies, ad extensions, and daily budgets will continue running without interruption.

Precautionary Tip: If that user set up automated scripts or custom API connections under their personal email credentials, review those automated tasks before revoking access to prevent disruptions to your tracking workflows.

Manager Accounts (MCC): How Agencies Request and Grant Account Access

If you are working with an agency, you do not need to add individual team members one by one. Professional marketing teams use a Google Ads Manager Account (formerly known as My Client Center or MCC). A Manager Account acts as an umbrella dashboard, allowing agencies to manage multiple client accounts from a single dashboard. If you are currently hiring Google Ads expert services, linking via an MCC account is the industry-standard approach.

For a full breakdown of administrative manager account controls, review the guidelines on managing users in manager accounts.

Linking Client Accounts Using the 10-Digit Customer ID

Instead of asking you for login information, an agency connects to your account using your 10-digit Customer ID:

1. Locate your 10-digit Customer ID in the upper right corner of your Google Ads dashboard (formatted as 123-456-7890).
2. Provide this ID number to your agency partner.
3. The agency submits an official link request from their Manager Account dashboard.
4. You will receive an email alert and an in-platform notification under Admin > Access and security > Managers.
5. Click Accept to approve the agency link request.

Why Agencies Use Google Ads Add User Features via MCC

• Consolidated Management: Agencies can build audience segments, monitor daily budgets, and optimize campaigns across client accounts without swapping passwords.
• Client Ownership: The client retains primary administrative ownership of their account, payment methods, and historical data.
• Instant Revocation: If you ever decide to part ways with your agency, you can disconnect the Manager Account with a single click inside the Managers tab.

Frequently Asked Questions About Google Ads User Access

Can I give someone access to only a single campaign in Google Ads?

No. Google Ads user permissions are account-wide. Anyone granted access will be able to see every campaign within that specific Google Ads account. If you must restrict visibility, provide stakeholders with custom Read-only reporting exports or build a dedicated Google Looker Studio dashboard that displays only the metrics for specific campaigns.

Why can’t I see the Access and Security tab in my account?

If the Access and security option is missing or grayed out in your Admin menu, your login profile has Standard, Read-only, or Billing permissions rather than Admin rights. You will need an existing account Administrator to upgrade your profile before you can manage users.

How does Google Ads access map to Google tag management permissions?

Google tag user permissions inherit directly from your connected platform roles. For detailed setup rules, review the official documentation on managing Google tag users.

• Admin Role in Google Ads: Automatically maps to the Administrator role with Publish permissions for your website’s Google tag.
• Standard Role in Google Ads: Maps to a User role with Publish permissions.
• Read-only Role in Google Ads: Maps to a User role with Read-only permissions.
• Billing / Email-only Roles: Grant no administrative permissions for your Google tag.

Conclusion

Managing account access protects your advertising investment and keeps your campaigns running smoothly. By applying the principle of least privilege, conducting regular user audits, and linking partners via Manager Accounts, you protect your data while collaborating effectively.

At BullsEye Internet Marketing, we help businesses scale their revenue through high-intent Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising, Pay Per Lead programs, SEO, and conversion optimization. We operate on a client-first model: we work with only one client per industry per geographic area, giving you an exclusive competitive edge without lock-in long-term contracts.

Ready to grow your customer pipeline with confidence? Explore our expert Google Ads management services today and let our team drive measurable, high-return growth for your business.