I work with clients to manage and optimise their Google AdWords ad campaigns.  To do this, I need access to their AdWords account and also to their Google Analytics account (if they have one set up).  Often when I take over a new account I find that a lot of other people also have access to the AdWords and Analytics accounts.  And sometimes, the client doesn’t know who those people are or why they were given access.

For both Google AdWords and Google Analytics, if someone else needs access to your accounts, there is a way to give access without sharing your own login email address or password.  This is the best option for keeping your account secure.

In this article I’ll show you how you can check what other email addresses have been given access to your accounts.

Google AdWords Account Access

If you or your company have outsourced your AdWords management, it’s likely that people working for the relevant agency have been given access to your AdWords account in order to manage your campaigns.  And if your account has been set up for a while, it’s also possible that other people who work in your organisation might also have access.

Be aware that anyone who can log in to your account as an administrator can change your settings and your AdWords budget. Only people that you know and trust should have this type of access!

Here’s how to find out who can access your AdWords account

1. Log in to your AdWords account

2. Go to the Green “My Account” tab and pull down the “Account Access” screen.

3. View the list of email addresses of people who have access, and their access level.

If you know the people and you know why they have access, then everything is sweet.

However, if you don’t know them and you are the main administrator of the account, your options are to either terminate their access (this is one of the actions in the right hand column – refer to the image below) or send an email to find out who they are.

Note:  Before you terminate the access of any other administrators it is important that:

• you have administrative access
• you know your own unique login details
• AdWords advertising spend is charged to you and not via an agency.

If in doubt, send an email to the other people with access to check before you take action.

Google Analytics Account Access

There are two type of access to a Google Analytics accounts; “Administrator” and “View Reports”.

Only people with Administrator access can control the access of other people.  Ideally, someone in your organisation should always be an administrator i.e. not someone from the agency who set up your Analytics account.

Here’s how to find out who else has access to your Google Analytics account.

1. Log in to your account

2. Click on “User Manager” as shown in the picture below

Note: If you don’t see the link to “User Manager” once you’ve logged in, then you’re not an Administrator.  If you want to have ultimate control of your account, contact the person who set up your account and ask for your access level to be changed.

3. Have a look at the email addresses of the people who have access, and the type of access they have.

As above, if you know who they are, everything is sweet.  If you don’t know them, you can delete their access but first make sure that you are an Administrator and that you have your own known login email address and password.

If you need to add a new user to access your Google Analytics with their own login, ask them for their Google linked email address and then click “Add a User” as shown below.

Log in and check your accounts so that you can keep your information secure, making it available only to people you know and trust and that you are working with.

Any questions or feedback, you’re welcome to leave a comment below.

Until next time

Search-Mel