Secure your Google Ads account: 2-Step Verification

Multi-factor authentication or 2-Step Verification is designed to prevent account hijacking and unauthorised 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.

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, then select Get started.
5. Follow the on-screen steps.
    

Tools for 2-Step Verification

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

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 that it’s you
• Secure your Google Ads account: Allowed email domains
• Secure your Google Ads account: Manager account security mandates