If you manage Google reviews, reply on behalf of clients, or track performance insights for them, you need access to their Google Business Profile.
The cleanest setup is usually for the client to add your agency Google account as a `Manager`. That gives you everything the platform needs without giving you risky ownership-level control.
What you need before starting
If the client has not claimed their Business Profile yet, they need to do that first before they can invite anyone else into it.
Google also requires 2-Step Verification for Owners and Managers, so turn that on before you ask clients to send invites.
- A Google account for your agency, either Gmail or Google Workspace
- A claimed Google Business Profile on the client side
- 2-Step Verification enabled on the Google account your agency will use
Why Manager is the recommended role
Manager access covers the practical work most agencies need to do. You can sync reviews, reply to them, view performance insights, and make normal listing updates.
What you cannot do is just as important. Managers cannot remove other users, transfer ownership, or delete the listing. That protects both sides.
| Feature | Manager access |
|---|---|
| Sync reviews from Google | Yes |
| Respond to reviews | Yes |
| View performance insights | Yes |
| Edit business information | Yes |
| Add photos and posts | Yes |
| Add or remove other users | No |
| Delete the business profile | No |
| Transfer ownership | No |
For the platform features that rely on Google Business Profile access, Manager is enough in normal agency use.
Instructions you can send to your client
The easiest way to avoid back-and-forth is to send clients one clean set of steps. Replace `[your agency email]` with the Google account you want them to invite.
- Sign in to Google with the account that owns the business profile
- Search for the exact business name on `google.com`
- Open the Business Profile panel
- Click the three-dot menu, then choose `Business Profile settings`
- Open `People and access`
- Click `Add`
- Enter `[your agency email]`
- Choose `Manager` as the role
- Click `Invite`
Copy-and-send client template
Hi [Client Name],
To give us access to manage your Google reviews and insights, please sign in to Google using the account that owns your business profile, search for your exact business name, open the Business Profile panel, click the three-dot menu, choose `Business Profile settings`, open `People and access`, click `Add`, enter `[your agency email]`, choose `Manager`, and click `Invite`.
Once that is done, we will receive the invitation and take it from there.
What happens after the client sends the invite
Once connected, the platform can begin syncing reviews, allow review responses, and pull Google performance insights for that listing.
- Accept the invitation from the inbox of your agency Google account
- Sign into the platform using that same Google account
- Open the Google integration and connect the listing
If the client cannot find People and access
This usually points to one of two simple issues.
- They have not claimed the profile yet
- They are signed into the wrong Google account
If the listing is still unclaimed, they need to claim and verify it first. If the profile is claimed already, make sure they are logged into the account that actually owns it.
If the invitation does not arrive
If nothing arrives after about 15 minutes, the most common problem is a typo in the email address or the invite being sent from the wrong profile owner account.
- Check spam or junk
- Wait a few minutes before resending
- Double-check the invited email address
- Ask the client to resend the invitation if needed
Best practice for agencies
- Use one agency Google account to manage multiple client listings
- Ask for Manager access, not Owner access
- Keep 2-Step Verification enabled permanently on the agency account
- Reconnect Google in the platform after access is accepted