To enhance account security and minimise the impact of unauthorised access, Google Ads is updating its domain requirements for performing sensitive actions. Users accessing Google Ads via free domain email addresses (such as @gmail.com or @yahoo.com) will be blocked from completing sensitive actions and must transition to a corporate email domain.
On this page
- Sensitive actions in Google Ads
- How do you define a free domain?
- What does the advertiser need to do?
- Frequently asked questions
Sensitive actions in Google Ads
Users will be required to use a corporate email domain when completing sensitive actions, such as:
- Account linking updates
- User access changes
Note: The list of sensitive actions above is non-exhaustive and is subject to change without prior notice.
How do you define a free domain?
A free domain email is an address provided by a public, non-corporate email service where any individual can sign up for an account without proving ownership of a specific business, domain or organisation.
Unlike corporate email domains (such as [email protected]), free domain email addresses lack central administrative oversight and domain-level ownership verification.
Key rule: If your email address ends with a public domain shared by millions of consumer users rather than a private domain owned by your business or website (e.g. company.com), it is categorised as a free domain email.
What does the advertiser need to do?
All Google Ads account users who need to perform sensitive actions must make sure they are signed in with a corporate email address; e.g. ([email protected]) that has appropriate access permissions on the account.
If you already have a corporate email address
You can create a Google Account using your existing corporate email address and ask your account administrator to invite that address with the required access level.
Updating your access
Add a new user with a corporate email domain:
- Ask an account admin to sign in to the Google Ads account.
- Go to Admin > Access and security.
- Click the blue plus button (+) to invite a user.
- Enter your corporate email address ([email protected]) and assign the appropriate access level (e.g. Admin or Standard).
- Open the invitation email sent to your corporate address and accept access.
Frequently asked questions
Will adding a new corporate email user trigger multi-party approval (MPA)?
Yes, if your Google Ads account currently has 3 or more active administrators, inviting a new user or modifying administrator privileges will trigger multi-party approval (MPA). Another existing administrator on the account must approve the request before the new corporate email user can be added.
Will I need to set up a new passkey for my corporate email account, or can I use my old one?
You will need to set up a new passkey. Passkeys are specific to each individual Google Account/email address. Because your new corporate email account is distinct from your previous free domain account, you must create and associate a new passkey specifically for your corporate login credentials.
Can users with free domain emails still view or manage basic campaigns?
Users with free domain emails (@gmail.com) can continue to view reports and make routine campaign edits depending on their access level, but they will be restricted from completing sensitive actions.
What happens if I try to perform a sensitive action with a free domain email after the policy takes effect?
If you attempt a sensitive action while signed in with a free domain email, you will receive an in-app prompt instructing you to switch to an authorised corporate email domain before completing the action.
