Issue with a Test Manager Account

[Danil Antonov]

We are an IT team.
We have a client with a production Manager account with many sub-accounts.
We are implementing some features related to the Campaigns Creation on the Google Ads side. We have a dev & prod environments. For dev environment we've setup a "prod-like" Google Ads Manager account (to grab a developer token) and Test Manager Account (where we test all the features, like campaigns creating, sub accounts creating etc.).
So, there are 3 manager accounts in our context:
1. Client's production manager account
2. Our own "prod-like" manager account (where we grab a developer token)
3. Our own Test Manager Account

The deal is now we are implementing the feature related to the Business Names & Logos. As we understand, on the Google Ads side we can specify Business Names & Logos only for verified accounts. But, because Test Manager Account doesn't have a Billing information, it can't be verified, so Business Names & Logos feature can't be tested on the Test Manager Account. So, we have 2 options:
1. Skip implementing & testing this feature on our dev environment and only do this on prod environment (not really a good solution)
2. Use our own "prod-like" manager account in dev instead of Test Manager Account in dev environment.

But the deal is, for the second option (Use our own "prod-like" manager account in dev), we have a restriction, that we can create sub-accounts only after linking an account which has spent more than $1000 already. If we follow this, we have 2 options:
1. Link one of the client's prod sub-accounts
2. Link the client's prod manager account

Now I'm wondering, which option is better. We want to setup the most safe option, so the production accounts can't be changed, modified, deleted by mistake.

Please, advice how should we act in this case by answering on this questions:
1. Am I correct about the Google Ads rules and policies above?
2. If we link one of the client's prod sub-accounts to our "prod-like" account, can we somehow disable usage of that sub-account in our "prod-like" to not accidently do bad things via UI and APIs?
3. If we link the entire client's manager account, can we somehow disable usage of that linked manager account in our "prod-like" manger account to not accidently do bad things via UI and APIs?

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out to the Google Ads API support team.

Please find the answers for your questions below:

1. Am I correct about the Google Ads rules and policies above?

• You're correct that verified Business Names & Logos are generally accessible only for verified Google Ads accounts, which require billing information. In a dev environment without billing info, these features can't be fully tested in a Test Manager Account.

2. If we link one of the client's prod sub-accounts to our "prod-like" account, can we somehow disable usage of that sub-account in our "prod-like" to not accidently do bad things via UI and APIs?

• By modifying access rights and utilizing the Google Ads API account-level limits, you can reduce the dangers associated with linking one of the client's production sub-accounts to your "prod-like" account. Consider limiting the sub-account's access level within your "prod-like" account to the bare minimum needed for testing in order to avoid unintentional changes. This help center article explains the levels of access that you can assign and the corresponding features available for each access level.

3. If we link the entire client's manager account, can we somehow disable usage of that linked manager account in our "prod-like" manger account to not accidently do bad things via UI and APIs?

• Linking the entire client's Manager account might increase the risk of accidental changes. Linking a single sub-account with restricted rights is the safest approach since it lets you test with a smaller scope and lowers the possibility of inadvertent changes being made to the manager account as a whole.

 

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGgNt:ref" (ADR-00272951)

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

[Danil Antonov]

Thank you very much for the details!

Am I right understand, that we can Link one of the client's accounts to our "prod-like" account with "email-only" access? If so, is this "email-only" access being set on link invite sending on our side, or will the client need to set this "email-only" access when he accepts an invite to link an account?

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Yes, you’re correct that you can link one of the client's accounts to your "prod-like" account with "email-only" access. When you send the link invitation from your side, you can set the access level to "email-only" at that time. Once the client accepts the invitation, the "email-only" access will be applied to the link automatically, without the client needing to set it manually. I would recommend you to refer to this help center article for more information as it explains the step by step procedure on how to grant access to the users in the Google Ads account. 

[Danil Antonov]

Thank you very much!
So, this way, if the client's sub-account follows the requirements to create sub-accounts ($1000 spent +, etc.), we will unblock the sub-account creation in our prod-like account, is this right?

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Yes, your understanding is correct. Linking a client’s sub-account that meets the eligibility criteria (e.g., $1000+ spent in the past 90 days) will enable your "prod-like" account to unlock the ability to create sub-accounts within its hierarchy.

[Danil Antonov]

Hello, we've sent a linking invitation from our "prod-like" manager account to one of the prod sub-accounts:
1. Accounts
2. +
3. Link existing account
4. Send an invitation to the account.

On the Sub-account settings -> Sent Link Requests there is no functionality to limit access to "email-only", there is only a "Withdraw" button.

Also, from the production sub-account (settings of the invited sub-account) we don't see any possibility of setting the access level to "email only". We can just accept/decline this invitation

To clarify, as we understand, to unlock the sub-accounts creation in our "prod-like" manager account we need to link one of the prod sub-accounts to our "prod-like" manager account. Is this right? If so, there is no way to set the access level to "email-only" in this case. How should we act?

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Please be informed that to enable sub-account creation in your "prod-like" manager account, you need to link a production sub-account. The reason you are unable to set the access level to "email-only" when linking the sub-account is because the available options are Admin, Standard, and Read-only while inviting the users into the Google Ads account. 

If you still need any further assistance, I would suggest you reach out to the Google Ads Product support team as they are better equipped to assist you on this. Kindly note that our team can only assist with the technical queries or concerns related to the Google Ads API.

I hope this helps!
 

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGgNt:ref" (ADR-00272951)

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[Danil Antonov]

Thank you for your response

When you say "You need to link a production sub-account" do you mean that I need to link one of the production sub-accounts to my "prod-like" manager account to unlock the sub-account creation feature? If so, we can't specify an access level - not only "email only", but there are just no options to choose the access level when we try to link a prod sub-account to our "prod like" manager account using the "Manager Account -> Accounts -> Link existing account"

Or do you mean, that I need to link my own Google Account to some prod sub-accounts? Please clarify

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Note that ‘You need to link a production sub-account’, means that you need to link a production an existing production sub-account (i.e, a client account that is already operating in production) to your ‘prod-like’ manager account (MCC account) to unlock the ability to create new sub-accounts. 

Also, while linking an existing sub-account to your MCC, sub-account automatically inherits the access structure by the MCC account. I would recommend you to refer to Get Account Hierarchy and Managing User Access documentation for more information.

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[2025-02-17 14:12:52Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGgNt:ref" (ADR-00272951)

[Danil Antonov]

Thank you. But if so, we don't have the functionality to specify the access level for the invited production sub-account to set it to "email only", or any other level. I'm an admin in "prod-like" manager account. You mentioned  ("email-only" when linking the sub-account because the available options are Admin, Standard, and Read-only) but where can it be found? An invitation has just been sent for full access, we don't see any "access level" setting on it

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

To find the email-only go to Admin settings -> Access and security -> click on add (+) symbol -> Provide the email address of the sub account user and you can check box the email-only option and click on send invitation. The provided email address will receive the email to approve the access. For more information, I would suggest that you refer to the Manage access to your Google Ads account.
 

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[2025-02-17 17:51:51Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGgNt:ref" (ADR-00272951)

 

 

[Danil Antonov]

Previously I thought that to unlock the sub-accounts creation on my "prod-like" manager account we needed to "link existing sub-account" to our manager account. But now you say that we need to link the user with Access & Security. Please clarify, which method should I use to unlock the sub-accounts creation feature?

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Kindly note that creation of the sub-accounts creation is either by selecting a new account or linking the existing sub accounts under the MCC accounts by passing the customer ID. I have also attached a UI screenshot for your reference. However, after creating a sub-account then assigning a 'Standard', 'Admin', 'Email-only', 'Read-only' or 'Billing' you need to navigate to the Google Ads sub-account > Admin > Access and Security > Users > Click on (+) symbol add the email ID for which you want to add to the account and select the necessary access level and add it. This help center article describes the types of access that you can allow for the email ID for the Google Ads account. Also, you can refer to this article which guides you step by step on how to add the email ID with the necessary access level. 

Note that our team can only help you with technical queries or concerns related to the Google Ads API. As your issue is more related to the Google Ads sub accounts creation, if you encounter any issues then kindly share customer ID or the MCC ID of your Google Ads account (CID), so that we can route you to the correct support team for further assistance.

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[2025-02-18 10:46:36Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGgNt:ref" (ADR-00272951)

 

 

[Danil Antonov]

Thank you for your response. Yes, I understand that. I'm asking more about how to unlock the sub-accounts creating feature. Previously you mentioned, that to unlock this feature we can "link existing sub-account" and set the "email-only" access level to the linked sub-account, but as you mentioned now - we can set the "email-only" access level only to the email accounts, not sub-accounts linked to the Manager Account using "link existing sub-account" feature by customer_id

Our goal - unlock the sub-account creation in our dev manager account by linking one of the client's prod sub-accounts to our manager account but to do so we must ensure that the data of this sub-account won't be corrupted 

Please describe the steps that we can follow to unlock the sub-accounts creation feature in our manager account keeping in mind that we have client's manager account with production sub-accounts

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

In order to assist you further, could you please share the Google Ads customer ID so that we can route you to the appropriate support team?

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[2025-02-18 14:54:40Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGgNt:ref" (ADR-00272951)

 

[Danil Antonov]

The customer ID of the manager account we want to unlock the sub-accounts creating by linking one of the client's prod accounts is: "833-788-6862"

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

I'm adding another support team for their expertise in troubleshooting your issue. You should receive an email to assist you shortly.

Our team can only help you with technical queries or concerns related to the Google Ads API.
 

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[2025-02-18 18:03:56Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vGgNt:ref" (ADR-00272951)