The developer token is a 22-character long alphanumeric string that letsyour 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 Adsmanager account.
Each developer token is assigned an access level whichcontrols the number of API calls you can make per day with the token, as wellas the environment to which you can make calls.
To make API calls against your production account, you need to requestBasic Access or Standard Access for your developer token during thetoken application process. Since these access levels are not required to makecalls against test accounts, you can proceed with the exercises, but you'reencouraged to check out how to apply for basicaccess 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 fewfactors. 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 thetoken. If this manager account is not already linked to your other accounts, werecommend putting it at the root of your account hierarchy to ease the tokenreview process and simplify account management later on.
If you don't have a manager account, you can follow the Help Centerinstructions 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, then click the Search button.
Type in "api center" and select it from the search autocomplete. The APICenter option appears only for Google Ads manager accounts and not foradvertiser 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 websiteURL is functioning. If the website is not live, Google might not be able toprocess your application and reject it.
Ensure that the API contact email you provide leads to a regularly monitoredinbox. Google's API compliance team might reach out to this email addressduring the review process for clarifications. If you can't be reached, Googlemight not continue with your application.
You can edit your API contact email in the API Center. Keep thisinformation up-to-date, even after the application process, so Google can sendyou important service announcements.
After you've completed the application process, the developer token shows up inyour API Center with a Pending Approval status. Your developer token now hasTest Access level and you can start making API calls against testaccounts.
After you've obtained your developer token, note its value as you'd need thiswhen making your first API call.
Where to find your developer token
An existing developer token can be found on the API Center page of yourGoogle Ads manager account.
Sign in to your manager account, then click the Search button.
Type in "api center" and select it from the search autocomplete. The APICenter option appears only for Google Ads manager accounts and not for testmanager accounts.
The developer token and its access level are the first values underAPI Access..
