Link Google Merchant Center with Google Ads

[Danil Antonov]

On our platform we automated:

• creating the Google Merchant Center sub-accounts under the MCA account.
• creating Google Ads sub-accounts under the manager account.

Currently, we try to automate the linking process between the Google Merchant Center sub-account and the Google Ads sub-account.

As we understand, the linking process is as follows:

1. On the Google Merchant Center side, we initiate the link process
2. On the Google Ads side, we approve the link process

As we see, Google Ads v14 could approve the link process (but didn’t have to initiate that)

But Google Ads v15 removed the ability to do even the approve step, so the v16 we use doesn’t have it either.

So the questions are:

1. is this possible to automate the linking process between Google Merchant Center and Google Ads sub-accounts (we use MCA Google Merchant Center and Manager Google Ads account as parents for the sub-accounts)
2. If not, why? And could you please suggest the best practise for us how to resolve this issue

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

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

By reviewing your concern, I understand that you are trying to automate the linking process between the Google Merchant Center sub-account and the Google Ads sub-account. Please note that automating the linking process between Google Merchant Center (GMC) and Google Ads sub-accounts entirely is currently not possible. Google removed the ability for automated approval of the linking process from the Ads side. This means programmatic approval through the API is no longer feasible.

Is this possible to automate the linking process between Google Merchant Center and Google Ads sub-accounts (we use MCA Google Merchant Center and Manager Google Ads account as parents for the sub-accounts).

• Full automation is currently limited due to Google Ads API restrictions.

If not, why? And could you please suggest the best practices for us how to resolve this issue.

• Please note that manual linking is preferred for its compliance with Google's guidelines, reducing security risks and ensuring data integrity. Additionally, if you want to link your Merchant Center and Google Ads accounts, you can follow this documentation.

I hope this helps. Kindly get back to us if you have any further queries.
 

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02rzsCd:ref" (ADR-00226953)

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team