If the account has been canceled or taken over completely and you no longer have access, you need to contact Google Ads Support directly. Google Ads Support can help in situations where an account was taken over by someone else and help restore your access.
Steps to Contact Google Ads Support:
- Visit the Google Ads Help Center.
- Scroll to the “Contact us” section and choose an option (phone, email, or chat) to reach out to Google Ads support.
- Explain the situation in detail, providing information such as:
- The email address associated with the Google Ads account.
- Any verification information that proves you are the rightful owner of the account (such as billing information, account ID, or previous payment details).
- The fact that the account was taken over by a former employee and now needs to be reactivated with updated contact details.
Google’s support team will be able to assist you in verifying your ownership and reactivating the account.
4. Submit a Recovery Request
If the account was canceled by the former employee or if you cannot access the account, Google Ads has a specific recovery process for such cases.
Steps to Submit a Recovery Request:
- Go to the Google Ads Help Center.
- Under the “Account Access and Security” section, look for the option that mentions “Account Recovery” or “Account Access Issues”.
- Submit a form detailing the issue. You will need to verify your identity and provide proof of ownership of the account, such as:
- The billing address or credit card details used for the account.
- Email addresses associated with the account.
- Any other identifying information related to past campaigns or payments.
Once your request is submitted, Google will investigate and attempt to restore access.
5. Change the Primary Contact Information
Once your account has been reactivated and access is restored, you can update the primary contact details to your own.
Steps to Update Primary Contact Information:
- Log into your Google Ads account with the restored credentials.
- In the top right corner, click on the tools icon (wrench).
- Under the “Setup” section, select “Account Settings”.
- In the Account Settings page, look for the Contact Information section.
- Edit the Primary Email Address and Phone Number to your own details.
This will ensure that any future communication, alerts, or billing information goes directly to you.
6. Ensure Account Security
After restoring access and changing the contact information, it is crucial to improve the security of your Google Ads account to prevent future unauthorized access.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Protect your account with two-factor authentication by linking your Google Ads account to a mobile device or authentication app.
- Review User Permissions: Ensure that only authorized users have access to your Google Ads account. Remove any old or unnecessary users from the account.
7. Follow Up with Google Ads Support
If, after following these steps, you are still facing issues or have not received a response from support, it’s important to follow up with Google Ads support regularly. Mention your case number (if available) to speed up the process.
Conclusion
Recovering access to your Google Ads account after it has been taken over by a former employee can be a challenging process, but by following the steps above, you should be able to regain control. By resetting your password, contacting Google Ads support, submitting a recovery request, and ensuring your contact information is updated, you’ll be able to reactivate your account and secure it for the future.
If needed, always be persistent in reaching out to Google Ads Support to resolve the issue in a timely manner.