Updated September 2026: If you manage Google Ads for multiple clients, use a Google Ads Manager Account (historically called MCC/My Client Center) instead of juggling separate logins. A Manager Account gives you one dashboard for linked client accounts, cross-account reporting, user access, alerts and—in eligible setups—consolidated billing.
Quick answer: Create one Manager Account for your agency, link each client’s existing Google Ads account, give team members only the access they need, keep each client’s billing and advertiser identity accurate, and avoid creating replacement accounts to bypass policy or verification problems.
What Is a Google Ads Manager Account (MCC)?
A Manager Account is an umbrella Google Ads account that can link to multiple individual Google Ads accounts and other manager accounts.
Google says Manager Accounts let you:
- use one sign-in to access multiple client accounts;
- view and compare performance across accounts;
- create and manage campaigns in linked accounts;
- run cross-account reports;
- receive alerts;
- create or link new client accounts;
- grant users different access levels;
- use monthly invoicing/consolidated billing when eligible.
Official reference: About Google Ads Manager Accounts.
Who Should Use an MCC?
- Google Ads agencies;
- PPC freelancers;
- large advertisers with several accounts;
- brands operating separate accounts by market/business unit;
- teams that need centralized access and reporting.
If you manage more than one or two accounts regularly, an MCC usually becomes much cleaner than separate logins.
How to Link an Existing Google Ads Account
- Sign into the Manager Account.
- Go to the Accounts section.
- Choose the option to link an existing account.
- Enter the client’s Google Ads customer ID.
- Send the request.
- Have the client/admin accept the link request.
Linking does not merge the accounts. Each client account keeps its own campaigns, billing, history and identity.
Manager Account Access Levels
Google currently provides five manager-level access types:
- Administrative — can manage the account and hierarchy.
- Standard — can view/edit but not manage hierarchy.
- Read only — can view data.
- Email only — receives selected notifications.
- Billing — can view/edit billing information.
Official reference: Manager Account user access levels.
Do Not Share Passwords
One of the main advantages of an MCC is that clients and agencies do not need to share Google login passwords.
Best practice:
- client retains admin access to its own account;
- agency links through MCC;
- team members get role-based access;
- former staff are removed promptly;
- 2-Step Verification is used where required/recommended.
How Many Accounts Can an MCC Manage?
Google’s account-limit documentation says a Manager Account can be linked to as many as 85,000 non-manager accounts in total, although the number of active non-manager accounts you can manage depends partly on recent account spend and other eligibility factors.
A single email address can also be associated with up to 20 Google Ads accounts, including manager accounts—another reason a proper MCC is useful for agencies.
Official reference: Manager Account limits.
Create a New Client Account From the MCC
You can create a Google Ads account directly inside a Manager Account without creating a separate Google login for it.
Important: Google says a newly created account has no direct user until you invite one. If you ever want to unlink it from the manager, first add an administrative user to the client account.
Official reference: Create accounts from a Manager Account.
Agency Best Practice: Client Should Own the Client Account
For normal client work, I prefer the client to retain meaningful ownership/access to its advertising account rather than making the agency the only route in.
This helps with:
- transparency;
- agency transitions;
- billing accountability;
- advertiser verification;
- business continuity.
Advertiser Verification and MCCs
An MCC does not mean the agency should verify every client using the agency’s identity.
The advertiser identity should reflect the real advertiser/business relationship and Google’s verification requirements.
Using the same agency documents, identity or billing setup across unrelated client accounts can create verification and policy risk when the facts do not match the actual advertiser.
Billing Across Multiple Accounts
Client accounts can maintain their own billing, or eligible agencies can use monthly invoicing/consolidated billing.
Do not confuse an MCC hierarchy with a requirement to put every client on the same card/payment profile. Billing should reflect the legitimate business arrangement.
Cross-Account Reporting
The Manager Account lets you compare performance across accounts and run reports from one place.
Useful standardized agency columns include:
- cost;
- conversions;
- qualified conversions where available;
- CPA;
- conversion value;
- ROAS;
- Search impression share;
- budget status;
- policy/disapproval counts.
Do not compare clients purely by CPA when their customer values and conversion definitions are different.
Use a Naming Convention
At scale, naming discipline matters.
Example:
CLIENT | COUNTRY | OBJECTIVE | CHANNEL
For example:
DentalCo | UAE | Leads | Search
This makes cross-account reporting and troubleshooting faster.
Use Google Ads Editor for Bulk Work
Google Ads Editor can save time when you need bulk changes, campaign duplication or offline review.
For cross-account campaign copying, Editor is especially useful because the normal Google Ads web interface does not directly paste a campaign from one account into another.
Account Hierarchy for Larger Agencies
Manager Accounts can link to other Manager Accounts, which allows agency hierarchies such as:
Top-level MCC → regional/sub-team MCC → client accounts
Use sub-managers when there is a real operational reason, not just to create complexity.
Policy Risk: Do Not Use New Accounts to Bypass Suspensions
If a client account is suspended, creating a new account under the MCC to keep advertising can create a Circumventing Systems issue.
The right process is:
- identify the suspension reason;
- fix the underlying business/site/account problem;
- prepare legitimate evidence;
- use Google’s appeal/review process.
Agency MCC Checklist
- Create one primary agency Manager Account.
- Link client accounts instead of sharing passwords.
- Give staff minimum required access.
- Keep client Admin access where appropriate.
- Standardize account/campaign naming.
- Standardize reporting columns.
- Separate real client identities and billing facts.
- Use cross-account alerts and recommendations carefully.
- Use Editor for bulk/cross-account work.
- Review policy status across accounts.
- Do not create replacement accounts for suspended clients.
- Remove ex-employees and old agency access.
Google Ads Manager Account FAQ
Is MCC still the correct name?
Google now primarily calls it a Manager Account, but many advertisers and agencies still use the historical term MCC/My Client Center.
Can one MCC manage multiple MCCs?
Yes. Manager Accounts can link to other Manager Accounts to create a hierarchy.
Can I pay all client accounts from one invoice?
Eligible Manager Accounts can use monthly invoicing/consolidated billing, subject to Google’s billing eligibility and setup.
Can I create a client account without a new email?
Yes. Google lets Manager Accounts create new Google Ads accounts directly.
Does linking an MCC give ownership automatically?
Not necessarily for existing linked accounts. Ownership and access depend on the specific account relationship and permissions.
Related Guides
Final Takeaway
A Google Ads Manager Account should make agency operations safer and simpler: one login, controlled access, cross-account reporting and a clear hierarchy. It should not blur client identity, billing or policy responsibility. Keep each advertiser’s facts accurate, preserve client access, and use the MCC as an operational layer rather than a workaround for enforcement.