Google Ads is introducing a new security requirement that limits certain account changes to corporate email addresses. If you manage a Google Ads account with a free email service such as @gmail.com or @yahoo.com, @Outlook.com, @Protonmail.com, you may soon be unable to perform sensitive account actions.
The update is currently being tested with a limited number of accounts. If your account is selected, Google says you will receive an email notification before the new requirement takes effect.
For now, the restriction applies to actions such as:
- Updating linked accounts
- Changing account access and permissions
Google says additional sensitive actions may be added to the list in the future without prior notice.
According to a Google Ads update, the change is intended to strengthen account security by requiring sensitive actions to be performed with email addresses tied to a verified business domain.
You can still manage campaigns and view reports with a free email account, depending on your access level. However, once the policy reaches your account, you will need to use a corporate email address to complete restricted administrative tasks.
If you are currently using a free email address, Google recommends that you:
- Ask an account administrator to add your corporate email address as a new Google Ads user.
- Create a Google Account using your existing corporate email address if it is not already registered with Google.
- Update your existing Google Account to use your corporate email address if you want to keep your current account settings.
If your Google Ads account has three or more administrators, adding a new administrator or changing administrator permissions will trigger Multi-Party Approval. Another administrator must approve the request before the change is completed.
If you switch to a different Google Account that uses your corporate email address, you will also need to create a new passkey. Existing passkeys cannot be transferred between different Google Accounts.
