Partnering with a Google Ads agency to manage your Google Ads campaigns is a strategic way to ensure your ads run efficiently, generate valuable leads, and maximise your return on investment. Before your newly appointed agency can start optimising your campaigns, you’ll need to grant them access by accepting an invitation from their Google Ads manager account.
This guide will explain what a Google Ads manager account is, why you’ve received a management request, and walk you through the step-by-step process of accepting it so your agency can get Google Ads access.
Granting access is just the administrative first step. Our complete guide to Google Ads walks through everything that happens after.
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What is a Google Ads Manager Account?
A Google Ads manager account is a centralised dashboard that allows agencies to manage multiple Google Ads accounts on behalf of their clients. It’s particularly valuable for agencies like ours at SCOPE Digital Agency, as it enables us to oversee numerous client campaigns from one place.
When your agency sends you an invitation to link your Google Ads account to their manager account, it’s essentially a request for permission to access and manage your ads. You’ll retain complete ownership and control of your account while the agency is only able to manage certain aspects based on the permissions you grant them.
By granting access to a Google Ads manager account, you enable the agency to monitor your campaigns, make optimisations, and provide you with detailed reports. This streamlined process benefits both you and your agency, improving efficiency and communication, ensuring your campaigns are consistently performing at their best.
Why Partnering with a Google Ads Agency is Beneficial
Before you get to this step, see our guide on choosing the right Google Ads specialist.
Partnering with an agency to manage your Google Ads Account brings more than just convenience—it brings expertise that can significantly improve your ad performance. Some of the best Google Ads Agencies have access to industry insights, cutting-edge tools, and a wealth of experience that allow them to optimise your campaigns far better than most in-house teams could.
Accepting an invitation to link your account to a manager account doesn’t mean losing control. You maintain full ownership of your Google Ads account, and while your agency will support you with data-driven recommendations and ongoing optimisations, you always have the option to adjust access levels or revoke permissions if needed.
How to Accept a Google Ads Manager Account Invitation (Step-by-Step)
Accepting an invitation to link your Google Ads account to a manager account is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to follow the steps carefully to ensure the agency has the correct level of access. Before the agency can send the invitation, you’ll need to provide them with your Google Ads account ID. This unique identifier allows the agency to request access to your specific account.
Once you’ve provided your account ID, follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to Your Google Ads Account
The first step is to log in to your Google Ads account. Make sure you’re using the account that is tied to your business’s ads. If you have multiple Google Ads accounts, double-check that you’re logging into the correct one.
Step 2: Navigate to “Access & security”
Once you’re logged in, click on the Admin icon (a cog) on the left side of your Google Ads dashboard. Then click on “Access & security.” This is where you manage who has access to your account.
Step 3: Review the Pending Invitation
In the “Access & security” section, you’ll see a tab titled “Managers.” Here, you’ll find any pending invitations to link your account to a manager account. Look for the invitation sent by your agency, and make sure the email address associated with it matches the one from your agency’s contact.
Step 4: Accept the Invitation
To accept the invitation, click the “Accept” button next to the agency’s name. You may be prompted to confirm the level of access you’re granting. Typically, agencies request “Administrative” access so that they can fully manage your account. However, you can choose to give them “Standard” access if you want to retain more control.
Step 5: Verify Permissions
After accepting the invitation, review the permissions granted. Make sure the agency has the correct access level to perform the tasks you need. You can adjust the permissions at any time by revisiting the “Access & security” section of your account.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
While accepting a Google Ads linking request is usually a simple process, there can be occasional hiccups. Below are some common issues and how to resolve them.
Expired Invitations
Google Ads invitations have an expiration date. If you wait too long to accept the invitation, it may expire. In this case, reach out to your agency and ask them to resend the invitation. Once they resend it, you can repeat the steps above to accept the new invitation.
Wrong Email Address
If the invitation was sent to the wrong email address, you won’t be able to accept it. Double-check that the email associated with your Google Ads account matches the one used by the agency. If there’s a mismatch, ask the agency to resend the invitation to the correct email.
Permission Issues
Sometimes, you may find that after accepting the invitation, the agency still doesn’t have the access they need to manage your campaigns. This usually happens when the wrong access level is granted. In this case, revisit the “Access & security” section of your account and adjust the permissions to ensure the agency has the appropriate level of access.
Getting clicks but no conversions?
Let's fix that.
Our certified Google Ads specialists manage over R2m in monthly ad spend. Let us audit your campaigns and show you exactly what to fix.
Best Practices for Managing Agency Access
Now that your agency has access to your Google Ads account, it’s important to implement best practices to ensure that your account remains secure and well-managed.
Regular Access Reviews
Periodically review who has access to your Google Ads account. This ensures that only authorised users, such as your agency and key internal stakeholders, can make changes to your campaigns. If someone no longer needs access, be sure to remove them from the account.
Account Security
Although your agency will be managing your campaigns, it’s still your responsibility to ensure that your account remains secure. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly monitor account activity to prevent any unauthorised access.
Why Choose SCOPE Digital Agency for Your Google Ads Management?
At SCOPE Digital Agency, we take a hands-on approach to Google Ads management. We work closely with our clients to understand their goals and develop data-driven strategies that help their businesses grow.
We’ve helped countless businesses across various industries improve their Google Ads performance, and we’d love to do the same for you. If you’re interested in working with us, reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help your business succeed.
Accepting a Google Ads Invitation: Frequently Asked Questions
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What happens if I accidentally decline the Google Ads invitation?
If you accidentally decline the invitation, the agency will need to resend it. You can inform them, and they can send a new invitation for you to accept. Declining the invitation won’t impact your account, but the agency will be unable to manage your campaigns until the invitation is accepted.
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Do I need to share my payment details with the Google Ads agency?
No, you do not need to share your payment details with the agency when accepting the invitation. Your payment information remains private, and only you have access to manage billing within your Google Ads account.
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Can multiple agencies have access to my Google Ads Account at the same time?
Yes, multiple Google Ads agencies can have access to your account simultaneously. However, each agency will need to send its own invitation, and you can assign different access levels to each. While it’s possible to have multiple agencies managing different aspects of your campaigns, it’s important to monitor and coordinate their roles to avoid conflicting strategies. You remain the owner of the account and have full control over the permissions each agency is given.
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How can I track changes made by an Agency in my Google Ads Account?
To track changes made by an agency in your Google Ads account, you can use the Change History tool, which logs all actions taken within the account. This tool provides details on what changes were made, when they occurred, and who made them. You can filter the data by date, campaign, or user, allowing you to monitor changes such as budget adjustments, keyword modifications, or bid updates. Simply go to “Tools & Settings,” select “Change History,” and review the list of modifications to ensure you’re aware of all updates to your campaigns.
