The developer token is a 22-character long alphanumeric string that lets your app connect to the Google Ads API. After the token is assigned to you by Google, you can view it or create a new one on the API Center page of your Google Ads manager account.
Each developer token is assigned an access level which controls the number of API calls you can make per day with the token, as well as the environment to which you can make calls.
To make API calls against your production account, you must request Basic Access or Standard Access for your developer token during the token application process. Since these access levels are not required to make calls against test accounts, you can proceed with the exercises, but you're encouraged to check out how to apply for basic access after you've completed this guide.
Do you need a new developer token?
Whether you should sign up for a new developer token or not depends on a few factors. Here are some common scenarios:
Scenario |
Next steps |
| Your company has never used the Google Ads API before and you want to develop your own apps | Sign up for a new developer token. Learn more |
| Your company is actively using or has used the Google Ads API in the past | Google usually grants one developer token per company, so if your company already uses the Google Ads API, then you should reuse your existing developer token. Learn more |
| Your company already uses the Google Ads API but is also developing a new product or tool | If you're certain that you cannot use your existing developer token, then you can apply for a new one explaining your use case in the application. For the rest of this guide, you can use your existing developer token. Learn more |
| Your company uses a third-party app | You need a developer token only if you're developing your own app. If you use a third-party app or service, then the developer of that app needs to get a developer token for the app. If you're unclear about your case, contact the API compliance team. |
How to apply for a developer token
There are two steps when applying for a developer token.
Step 1: Select or create a Google Ads manager account
If you already have a Google Ads manager account, select it when applying for the token. If this manager account is not already linked to your other accounts, we recommend putting it at the root of your account hierarchy to ease the token review process and simplify account management later on.
If you don't have a manager account, you can follow the Help Center instructions to create one.
Step 2: Apply for access to the Google Ads API
Note that the developer token review process can take some time to complete. Learn more.
Sign in to your manager account. You can verify if it is a manager account.
In the search bar at the top of the page, enter "api center" and select it from the search autocomplete. The API Center option appears only for Google Ads manager accounts and not for customer accounts or test manager accounts.
Complete the API Access form and accept the Terms and Conditions.
Ensure that your information is correct and your company's website URL is functioning. If the website is not live, Google might not be able to process your application and reject it.
Ensure that the API contact email you provide leads to a regularly monitored inbox. Google's API compliance team might reach out to this email address during the review process for clarifications. If you can't be reached, Google might not continue with your application.
You can edit your API contact email in the API Center. Keep this information up-to-date, even after the application process, so Google can send you important service announcements.
After you've completed the application process, the developer token appears in your API Center with a Pending Approval status. Your developer token now has Test Access level and you can start making API calls against test accounts.
After you've obtained your developer token, note its value as you will require it when making your first API call.
Verify if you are signed into a manager account
You must sign in to your manager account to access your developer token, and it cannot be a test manager account.
To verify if you are signed in to the manager account, follow these steps:
Sign in to your account.
Select Admin on the left. If you see Manager account settings on the upper left, then you are signed into your manager account. If you see Account settings, you are signed into a customer account.
If Test account appears in red in the upper right corner, your account is either a test manager or a test advertiser.
Where to find your developer token
You can find the developer token, if it exists, in the API Center page of your Google Ads manager account.
Sign in to your manager account. You canverify if it is a manager account.
In the search bar at the top of the page, type "api center" and select it from the search autocomplete. The API Center option appears only for Google Ads manager accounts and not for test manager accounts.
The developer token and its access level are the first values listed under API Access.