Transferring clients from one Google Ads account to another—especially within a manager account (MCC)—is a common process for digital marketing professionals. Whether you’re an agency switching clients between accounts or consolidating for simplicity, it’s important to follow the correct steps.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process in a simple, step-by-step format.
Step 1: Determine the Type of Transfer
There are two main scenarios:
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Transferring a client account from one Google Ads manager account (MCC) to another.
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Unlinking a client from one MCC and linking it to another.
Note: You can only do this if you have administrative access to the manager accounts.
Step 2: Get Access to the New Manager Account
If you’re transferring to a new MCC:
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Sign in to the destination Google Ads Manager Account.
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Click the “Tools and settings” icon in the top bar.
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Under “Setup,” select “Access and security” to confirm you have admin permissions.
Step 3: Unlink the Client from the Old Manager Account
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Log in to the current MCC account that manages the client.
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Click “Accounts” and then “Management.”
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Find the client account you wish to remove.
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Click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to it and choose “Unlink.”
Important: Unlinking the account will remove the MCC’s ability to manage campaigns, but the client’s data and campaigns will remain untouched.
Step 4: Link the Client to the New MCC
Now, you need to link the same client account to a new MCC:
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Log in to the destination MCC.
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Go to “Accounts” > “Management.”
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Click the blue “+” button and select “Link existing account.”
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Enter the Customer ID (10-digit number) of the client account.
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Send the request.
Step 5: Accept the Invitation from the Client Account
Now, sign in to the individual client account:
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Go to “Tools and settings” > “Access and security.”
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Under the “Managers” tab, accept the invitation from the new MCC.
Once accepted, the client account is now linked to the new manager account.
Optional: Set Account Permissions
Once the account is transferred:
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Go to the new MCC.
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Assign permissions to the right team members.
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You can manage access levels (Admin, Standard, etc.) from “Access and security.”
Important Considerations
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Historical data remains intact: Moving accounts between MCCs doesn’t affect data, billing, or ad performance.
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Billing is not transferred: If the MCC pays for the account, ensure new billing details are in place.
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You can’t transfer ownership of Google Ads accounts—only access rights.
Quick Tips
Always back up your campaigns before unlinking.
Check that the destination MCC doesn’t exceed its client account limit.
Use labels to organize clients if you’re managing many accounts.
Conclusion
Client transfers between Google Ads accounts are straightforward when done correctly. The key is to ensure both MCCs have proper access and that requests are accepted in a timely manner. With this simple guide, you can manage client account transitions easily and keep your advertising efforts uninterrupted.
Need help managing Google Ads professionally? Make sure you’re partnered with a certified Google Ads expert.
