How to troubleshoot report access for Google Ads

Troubleshooting report access in Google Ads

If you're facing issues accessing or viewing reports in your Google Ads account, here's a structured approach to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Verify user permissions: Ensure the Google account you are using has the necessary permissions to access reports within the Google Ads account.
   • Sign in to Google Ads: Go to ads.google.com and log in.
   • Check Access and security: Click "Tools and settings", then select "Access and security" under Setup.
   • Confirm Admin status: In the table, under the "Access level" column, verify that your account has "Admin" permissions. If not, an existing admin will need to adjust your access level.
2. Check for account integration issues (if using a CRM): If you're using a CRM or third-party platform connected to Google Ads for reporting, ensure the integration is properly connected and configured.
   • Verify integration: Confirm that your Google Ads account is integrated with your CRM or reporting platform.
   • Check connected Gmail address: Make sure the Gmail address linked to the integration is the same one associated with your Google Ads account and has the necessary permissions (admin role is recommended).
   • Exclude invalid accounts (if using Looker Studio or BigQuery): If you are using Looker Studio or BigQuery for reporting, consider excluding invalid accounts to potentially resolve connection issues.
3. Investigate report discrepancies (if data is missing or inconsistent):
   • Review data thresholds and conversion window settings: Check if your data meets the required thresholds and that your conversion window is still open.
   • Examine account-level location changes: Verify if any changes to account-level locations have occurred, potentially impacting store visit reports.
   • Check conversion settings: See if there have been changes to conversion settings (e.g., conversion window, conversion status) that coincide with the date range of concern.
   • Compare report data with clicks and impressions: Assess if fluctuations in store visits align with trends in clicks or impressions for the account.
4. Address potential API issues (if using the Google Ads API):
   • Verify API connectivity: Ensure your application has access to the Google Ads API and a correct setup.
   • Examine credentials: Confirm that you are using the correct credentials, ensuring they are embedded correctly in your requests.
   • Handle HTTP errors: Carefully address any HTTP errors returned, ensuring you are reaching the intended services.
5. General troubleshooting:
   • Clear browser cache and cookies: Sometimes, browser-related issues can affect report viewing. Clearing the cache and cookies might resolve the problem.
   • Try a different browser: Test accessing the reports in a different web browser to rule out browser-specific compatibility issues.
   • Check for known issues: Visit the Google Ads Help Center for any announcements about service disruptions or known issues impacting reporting.