Google Ads Boosts Security with Multi-Party Approval Feature

I recently discovered an exciting update from Google Ads that promises to enhance the security of high-risk account changes. They have silently introduced a multi-party approval feature that ensures a second administrator must approve specific actions before they are finalized. This step adds a critical layer of protection against unauthorized or malicious changes, enhancing the overall safety of our accounts.

This new feature is particularly important as our ad accounts grow larger and carry more value. A single unauthorized change can quickly disrupt campaigns and even affect our billing. By requiring approval from another administrator, this feature effectively reduces such risks without hindering our regular campaign management processes.

For agencies and large teams like mine, this tool becomes invaluable. It helps us avoid costly mistakes and significantly bolsters our account security. I appreciate how Google is responding to the increasing necessity for robust access control.

Here’s how it works: when I, as an admin, initiate a sensitive change, Google Ads automatically sends an approval request to other eligible admins. This request is delivered as an in-product notification, requiring an action within 20 days—either approval or denial—otherwise, it simply expires, and the change will not be implemented.

Moreover, tracking the status of these requests is hassle-free. Each change request is tagged as Complete, Denied, or Expired, allowing my team to easily monitor and review our account changes.

To manage these approval requests, we can head over to the Access and security section within the Admin menu. It’s quite straightforward and keeps us in the loop with all ongoing requests.

This update points to a growing concern about account security, especially for advertisers managing large teams with multiple user permissions. With reports of expensive hacks escalating, this added security is a much-welcomed relief for us.

In the end, although multi-party approval may add a bit of friction to the process, it’s definitely a good kind. It grants us more control over who can make vital changes to our accounts, thus protecting them from unauthorized access. In my opinion, it’s a prudent step towards safer, more secure ad management.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.