InsideGoogle

AdSense Force Migrating Everyone To Google Accounts

Had a little problem today with my wireless network, thought it was a problem with AdSense, and wound up learning some interesting things from my AdSense rep. Turns out that at some point in the near future, Google will be forcing all AdSense accounts to migrate to a Google Account login, and it is warning publishers now so they have time to plan. For the most part, the transition should be easy for most AdSense users, except me.

See, my AdSense login email address is the same as my Google Account login, because I got it before there ever was a Google Account (before I got my Gmail invite, remember those?). That’s not a problem either, and if you have both as the same email address you should be able to migrate just fine by visiting https://www.google.com/adsense/migrate-login-1 after you’ve logged into your AdSenseaccount.

However!

If you’ve got an AdWords account, there is a problem. For some reason, AdSense and AdWords cannot be used on the same account, at least at the moment, and that means that if you have an AdWords account linked to your Google Account, you can’t migrate over your AdSense account to that Google Account.

And don’t bother waiting them out. Yes, Google does plan on fixing the problem that doesn’t allow AdSense and AdWords accounts on the same Google Account, but it almost definitely will not be fixed before the forced migration happens. So, one way or another, you will be moving your AdSeense account to a new Google Account if you have AdWords, and you’d better prepare for it now.

I sent my AdSense rep two questions:

I was wondering, is it possible to transfer control of a Google Account to another Google Account? Like, down the road, after I migrate this AdSense account to a new Google Account, and then eventually you guys make it possible to have AdWords and AdSense on the same account, would I be able to transfer control of my AdSense account from that Google Account to my regular one?

Also, I don’t really use my AdWords account, just very occasionally, and for testing purposes. Can I delete my AdWords account (or transfer it to a new Google Account) and then move my AdSense account to my regular Google Account, or is that not possible because the account used to have an AdWords account?

As soon as I have an answer, I’ll let you guys know.

The original email explaining the transition:

Our team would like to inform you of an upcoming change to your AdSense account.

Over the coming months, publishers will be required to update their existing logins to the Google Accounts system. Using Google Accounts will allow you to access your AdSense account along with the rest of your Google products using a single login and password. It will also enable us to offer new features and functionality that were not previously possible.

We’d like to give you an early opportunity to update your account, so we can offer you additional support before we ask all our publishers to make the transition. In order to update your account, first sign in to AdSense as usual, then visit the link at the bottom of this email and follow the simple instructions.

At this time we’re still unable to link AdSense and AdWords accounts, which means that the email address you update to must not have been associated with another Google ads account (AdWords or AdSense) at any point in the past. You’re welcome to use your current AdSense login, as long as it’s not used as an AdWords login.

If you have any trouble transitioning your account, please reply directly to this email.

Quick steps:
* Log into your AdSense account at http://www.google.com/adsense with your existing username/password.
* Visit the migration link: https://www.google.com/adsense/migrate-login-1
* Use an email address that has never been associated with another AdWords or AdSense account.

April 26th, 2007 Posted by Nathan Weinberg | AdSense, AdWords, Advertising, General | 2 comments