Google Ads API Access Level Requirements - Basic vs Standard Access for Cross-Account Access

[Benjamin Prevot]

Dear Google Ads API Support Team,

We are developing a Google Ads analysis tool and need clarification on the specific access requirements for different developer token levels. We want to ensure we choose the correct path for our application architecture.

Our Goal: We want to build a tool where users can:

1. Authenticate with their Google account via OAuth2
2. Connect their Google Ads accounts to our application
3. Allow our tool to read campaign data from their accounts for analysis purposes
4. Provide a seamless user experience similar to tools like Shopify's Google Ads integration

Our Current Setup:

• We have a Basic Access developer token
• We have a Google Ads Manager Account (MCC)
• We have implemented OAuth2 authentication
• Our tool currently works with accounts that are linked to our MCC

Specific Questions We Need Answered:

1. Basic Access Scope: With a Basic Access developer token, can we access Google Ads accounts that are NOT linked to our MCC, provided we have valid OAuth2 consent from the account owner?
2. MCC Linking Requirement: Is MCC manager account linking a technical requirement for Basic Access tokens, or is it only a requirement during the application process ("Ensure you have linked all of your active Google Ads accounts to the manager account with the API token")?
3. Standard Access Difference: What are the specific technical differences between Basic Access and Standard Access regarding account access permissions? Does Standard Access remove any MCC linking requirements that Basic Access has?
4. User Account Discovery: Can a Basic Access token discover/list Google Ads accounts that a user has access to but are not linked to our MCC?
5. Cross-Account API Calls: If a user grants OAuth2 permission for their Google Ads account (customer ID: 123-456-7890) but this account is not linked to our MCC, will API calls using our Basic Access developer token + their OAuth2 token succeed or fail?

Example Scenario: User owns Google Ads account 123-456-7890. User grants OAuth2 permission to our application. Our MCC (456-789-0123) is NOT a manager of account 123-456-7890. Using our Basic Access developer token + user's OAuth2 token, can we make API calls to read campaigns from account 123-456-7890?

Why This Matters: We want to provide the best user experience possible. If Basic Access requires MCC linking, we need to build an MCC invitation flow. If Standard Access removes this requirement, we should apply for Standard Access to enable direct account connection.

Request: Could you please provide definitive technical documentation or confirmation about these access level differences? We want to ensure we're building our application architecture correctly from the start.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

[Google Ads API and AdWords API Forum]

Hi,

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

Upon checking your concerns, it is observed that your queries are related to the developer token and their access levels.

Kindly note that the concerns related to developer tokens are out of scope for the Google Ads API support team, as our team specializes in Google Ads API-related concerns and technical implementations only. 

Since your concern, “developer token access levels ” does not fall under the Google Ads API support team, with this, I highly recommend you reach out to the Google Ads API Compliance team, as they are better equipped to assist you on this. 

Meanwhile, please refer to the Obtain a developer token and Access Levels and Permissible Use API documentation for more information regarding developer tokens and their access levels.

Thanks & Regards,

Google Ads API support team.

[Earl D]

I have all of the same questions as the original poster and I'm very satisfied with this response. I think it would be great if people would "show some love" for this hardworking support team member by sharing this helpful reply on social media!

 I do have one quick follow-up question though.

1. Is all of the documentation for the Google Ads API that you shared in your first link out of scope for the Google Ads API support team or only some parts of it?

https://developers.google.com/google-ads/api/docs/get-started/introduction#prerequisites

Apologies in advance if the entirety of the Google Ads official API documentation are out of scope for the google Ads API Support Team. Please let me know if there's a simple form I can fill out to get a reply within 1-4 weeks for an answer to this question, thanks.

I hope as many people as possible inside and outside of Google get to see how one of the most exceptional "unsung heroes" of Google treats customers every day!

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out to the Google Ads API Support.

I would like to inform you that the official Google Ads API documentation is within the scope of the Google Ads API support team. We can assist with the questions on authentication, setup, API resources, requests/responses and troubleshooting based on what’s covered in the official documentation. However, please note that while we can explain the documentation and help resolve API related errors, we are not responsible for access related issues.

Basic access level allows the developer token to execute up to 15,000 operations per day. I would recommend you to fill out the basic access application form. In order to avoid API limits then please fill out the standard access application form for unlimited Google Ads API operations. I would suggest you refer to this Access Levels and Permissible Use documentation for more information. Also, I would suggest you to go through this help center article to know more about how to Manage users and access levels for your manager account.

Please note that the concerns related to the Google Ads API developer token access requests are out of scope for the Google Ads API support team. For further assistance and updates regarding your access application, I recommend you contact the Google Ads API Compliance team directly via this form.

Do reach out to us, of you have any concerns related to the Google Ads API.

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[2025-08-25 03:52:47Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01u52It:ref" (ADR-00330803)