Secure your Google Ads account: 2-Step Verification

Multi-Factor Authentication or 2-Step Verification is designed to prevent account hijacking and unauthorized access. 2-Step Verification can help keep bad actors out, even if your password has been compromised. When you set up 2-Step Verification, you’ll sign into your account using a password and a second verification step. The second verification step can involve one of the following:

• Call
• Google Authenticator App from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store
• Google prompt on a compatible mobile device
• Security key
• Text message (SMS)

The 2-Step Verification can help ensure that potential attackers can't access your account even if they have your password.

If you don’t want to enter a 2-Step Verification code or use your security key every time you sign in to your Google Account, you can mark your computer or mobile device as trusted and not be asked again.

Note: The instructions below are part of the new design for the Google Ads user experience. To use the previous design, click the "Appearance" icon, and select Use previous design. If you're using the previous version of Google Ads, review the Quick reference map or use the Search bar in the top navigation panel of Google Ads to find the page you’re searching for.

Enable 2-Step Verification

Use the following steps to enable 2-Step Verification:

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Admin icon .
2. Click Access and security.
3. From the navigation panel, select Security.
4. Under "Verification during sign-in," select 2-Step Verification, and then select Get started.
5. Follow the on-screen steps.
    

Tools for 2-Step Verification

Use the Google Authenticator App

Download the Google Authenticator App, and sign up using your Google Account. The app will automatically lead you to the 2-Step Verification screen. Learn more about verifying with the Google Authenticator App

Choose a strong, unique password

A strong password contains a combination of numbers, characters, and case-sensitive letters, so it can't be guessed easily. Don't use the same password for different websites.

Keep your account recovery options updated

Check that your account recovery options are updated to prevent getting locked out of your account.

Scan your computer for malware

Ensure your computer's antivirus protection is updated and that you periodically run a full system scan. Someone can steal your personal information by spreading malware onto your system, so run full system scans regularly to ensure that your system is free of malware. Learn more about protecting yourself from malware

Disable 2-Step Verification

Google strongly encourages all advertisers to use 2-Step Verification to log into their accounts. Using 2-Step Verification protects your account and sensitive data from attackers, even if they have your password. If you’d prefer not to protect your account, follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Disable the 2-Step Verification requirement in Google Ads

Note: You must have administrative access to make this change.

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Admin icon .
2. Click Access and security.
3. From the navigation panel, select Security.
4. Click Authentication method to expand the panel.
5. Set the authentication method to "Standard".
6. Click Save.

Step 2: Disable 2-Step Verification on your Google account

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Admin icon .
2. Click Access and security.
3. From the navigation panel, select Security.
4. Under "Verification during sign-in," select 2-Step Verification.
5. Click Turn Off.

Related links

Security hub

• Secure your Google Ads account
• Secure your Google Ads account: Best Practices
• Secure your Google Ads account: The importance of HTTPS
• Secure your Google Ads account: Suspicious emails or calls claiming to be from Google Ads

Your security options

• Secure your Google Ads account: Confirm it’s you
• Secure your Google Ads account: Allowed Email Domains
• Secure your Google Ads account: Manager Account Security Mandates