Set up a Google API Console project

Page Summary

• Creating and configuring a Google API Console project for Google Ads API access depends on your chosen OAuth 2.0 authorization scenario (service accounts or user authentication).

• A Google API Console project is necessary to create OAuth 2.0 credentials and enable the Google Ads API, which are needed to generate tokens for API calls.

• While a single developer token can be used across multiple projects, each project can only use one developer token.

• To set up for Google Ads API use, you need to select or create a Google API Console project and enable the Google Ads API within it.

• For service account authorization, you must create a service account and download its key in JSON format.

The steps to be followed for creating and configuring a Google API Console project depends on the type of OAuth 2.0 authorization scenario you are building in your application. Choose the authorization scenario you are building for; this guide will be customized based on your choice.

Service accounts User authentication

You need a Google API Console project for creating OAuth 2.0 credentials, and enabling the Google Ads API for your app.

The credentials are needed for the authentication and authorization of Google Ads users by Google servers. These credentials let you generate OAuth tokens to be used in calls to the API.

Select or create a Google API Console project

Note: If you already have a Google API Console project and want to use it to create credentials, you can skip to Enable the Google Ads API in your project. However, you should ensure that your Google API Console project also has API access.

Follow the instructions to create a project. Enabling billing for your project is optional. If you have billing enabled, select a billing account for the new project. There is no charge for using the Google Ads API, but there is a quota on the total number of Cloud projects.

Enable the Google Ads API in your project

To enable the Google Ads API in your project, follow these steps:

1. Open the API Library in the Google API Console. If prompted, select your project or create a new one. The API Library lists all available APIs, grouped by product family and popularity.

2. Use search to find the Google Ads API if it isn't visible in the list.

3. Select the Google Ads API, then click the Enable button.

Enable Google Ads API

Apply for API access

Next, visit the Google Ads API Overview page. The page displays your current API access level. If your current API access level is Test Account Access level, then expand the Apply for next access level section. Follow the instructions to apply for Explorer Access level.

Once you complete your application, Google will automatically review your application and upgrade it to Explorer Access in most cases.

Create a service account and key

Note: If you are already using another Google API and have created an OAuth 2.0 service account and key, you can skip this step and reuse the existing credentials.

Start by creating a service account and credentials. Next, create credentials for the service account. Download the service account key in JSON format and note the service account ID and email.