A developer token from Google lets your app connect to the Google Ads API. Each developer token is assigned an access level which controls the number of API calls you can make per day with the token, as well as the environment to which you can make calls. Learn more.
Each Google API Console project can be associated with the developer token from only one manager account. Once you make a Google Ads API request, the developer token is permanently paired to the Google API Console project.
If switching to a developer token under a new manager account, you first need
to create a new Google API Console
project for Google Ads API requests that use
the new manager's token. If you don't use a new Google API Console project,
you'll get a DEVELOPER_TOKEN_PROHIBITED error when making a request.
Procedure
Step 1: Select or create a Google Ads manager account
You must first have a Google Ads manager account before applying for a developer token.
Manager accounts cannot be created using the same email address as an existing Google Ads account. You must therefore use an email address that hasn't already been associated with a Google Ads account to create your manager account.
Note that the manager account you select has no effect on the set of Google Ads accounts that your developer token can access. It is just used for holding the developer token.
The token itself can access any account as long as you have proper OAuth credentials. However, linking this manager account to your company's active Google Ads accounts will streamline the app review process and reduce the number of times you need to go through the authentication process to manage your accounts with the API. For details, see the Help Center article about linking accounts.
Step 2: Apply for access to the Google Ads API
Sign up for Google Ads API access through your manager account. Sign in, then navigate to TOOLS & SETTINGS > SETUP > API Center. The API Center option appears only for Google Ads manager accounts.
All fields on the API Access form must be completed, and the Terms and Conditions accepted. Make sure your information is correct and your company's website URL is functioning. If the website is not a live page, we won't be able to process your application.
Make sure the API contact email you provide leads to a regularly monitored inbox. If we cannot contact you at this email address, we won't be able to process your application, and it will be rejected.
You can edit your API contact email in the API Center.
We strongly encourage you to keep this information up-to-date, even after the application process, so we can send you important service announcements.
Step 3: Continue your application
Your pending developer token must be approved before using it with production Google Ads accounts. You can apply either for Basic Access or Standard Access.
Apply for Basic Access if your API usage is expected to be minimal.
Apply for Standard Access if your API usage is expected to be high.
Refer to the rate sheet to determine whether you need Basic Access or Standard Access. If you aren't sure about your future API usage, we recommend starting with Basic Access, and upgrade to Standard Access once your app's API usage approaches the quota limitations enforced by Basic Access on a frequent basis.
Both Basic Access and Standard Access applications are reviewed to ensure the the tool or software app you propose to use with the Google Ads API is in compliance with our Terms and Conditions and Policies, including Required Minimum Functionality (RMF) (if applicable). If your company manages Google Ads accounts for clients, you must be in compliance with our third-party policy to gain access to the Google Ads API.
We typically contact you within two business days of the date you submitted your application, at the email address you provided in Step 2. If you no longer have access to this inbox, or if you're not planning to actively monitor this email address, edit your email address in the API Center by following the instructions above in Step 2, so we can contact you.
Token review team has approved my developer token
Your assigned developer token will be activated for production environment once your application for API access is approved. Your token will be available through your API Center—accessible through the Account settings menu for the manager account from which you applied. You'll be able to access the API by including it in your request headers when interacting with our system.
It's very important that you keep your contact email current, as we send important information regarding changes or disruptions to service to the email address you specify.
If you make any changes to your tool in the future, you must report these changes to Google by filling out the Google Ads API Tool Change Form.
Token review team has rejected my application
The Token Review team examines the information you provide when you apply for access to the Google Ads API to make sure your software adheres to the Google Ads API Terms and Conditions (T&C) as well as the Required Minimum Functionality (RMF) (if applicable).
Common reasons for rejecting an application include:
- We're unable to reach you at the contact email address you provided.
- You have applied because a tool you use from a third party requires a developer token.
- Your application violates other provisions in the Terms and Conditions.
- Your application does not implement required elements of the Required Minimum Functionality (if applicable).
If you have altered your API tool to adhere to Google Ads API policy, or if you believe your application was incorrectly rejected, you can reapply by clicking the Reapply link in the API Center page of your manager account.
If you haven't received an email from us about your application within the expected time, contact the Google Ads API Compliance team.
Billing
There is no charge for Google Ads API usage. We do charge non-compliance fees for failing to comply with Required Minimum Functionality. See the rate sheet for more details.