Advertising · Integration
Last updated: August 2026
Google Ads manager account (MCC) linking — your manager account is linked to the client's account through Google's own access process. You'll find it under Tools → Setup → Access and security → Managers. The client keeps ownership of Google Ads accounts; the agency is granted only what you assign.
Grant the least access the work needs. Here's what each level on Google Ads can do:
| Access level / role | What it can do |
|---|---|
| Admin | Full control including users and billing. Grant sparingly. |
| Standard | Manage campaigns and see reports; can't manage users. The usual level for a media agency. |
| Read only | View campaigns and reports, no edits. Good for auditors. |
| Billing | Access to billing and payments only. |
| Email only | Receives reports/notifications, no account access. |
Under 5 minutes. You send or accept a manager-account link; the agency confirms from their MCC. Linking is usually instant once both sides confirm.
Manager (MCC) linking is Google's official agency method — no password shared. You keep ownership of the account and can terminate the link anytime from Access and security. The client's login and 2FA are never involved.
Every step above is why agencies move to a single link. HandItSafe requests exactly the Google Ads access you need — the client approves it through Google Ads's own process in about three minutes, no password shared, and keeps a panel to see and remove access anytime. That visibility is why clients approve faster, and it makes offboarding a one-tap job later.
Read the full step-by-step guide to giving Google Ads access
FAQ
No. MCC linking is Google's official way to let an agency manage your account without your password. You keep ownership and can unlink anytime.
Admin lets them manage campaigns and billing settings; Standard lets them manage campaigns without billing. Grant the minimum they need.
Admin → Access and security → Managers → Remove. HandItSafe also gives your client a one-tap remove and a log of when access started.
MCC linking connects the agency's whole manager account (best for agencies managing many clients). Adding a user by email grants one person access. For agencies, MCC linking is cleaner and scales.
Only if you grant Admin or Billing access. Grant Standard and they manage campaigns without seeing payment methods.
HandItSafe requests exactly this access in one link. No passwords. Your client keeps a panel to remove it anytime.