How to Give Agency Access to Your Google Search Console
Meta Description: Learn how to grant agency access to Google Search Console. Step-by-step guide to adding users as owners or full users for SEO management and reporting.
Introduction
Google Search Console is an indispensable tool for understanding how your website performs in Google Search. It reveals which queries bring visitors to your site, identifies technical issues affecting your rankings, and provides critical insights for search engine optimisation.
When you work with an SEO agency, they need access to your Search Console data to conduct audits, monitor performance, submit sitemaps, and implement technical improvements. Granting this access appropriately ensures your agency can do their job effectively while you maintain control over your property.
This guide provides detailed instructions for adding agency access to Google Search Console, explains the different permission levels available, and helps you resolve common issues that may arise.
Prerequisites
Before granting agency access to your Google Search Console property, confirm the following:
1. Verified Property Ownership
Your website must be verified in Google Search Console before you can add users. If you have not verified your site, you will need to complete the verification process first.
2. Owner-Level Access
Only verified Owners can add other users to a Search Console property. If you are listed as a Full User, you cannot add new users—you will need an Owner to grant you Owner status first.
3. The Agency's Google Account Email
Your agency will provide a Gmail or Google Workspace email address. This must be associated with a Google account.
4. Knowledge of Your Property Type
Search Console supports different property types: Domain properties (covering all subdomains and protocols) and URL-prefix properties (covering a specific URL path). Ensure you know which type you are managing.
5. Understanding of Required Access Level
Decide whether your agency needs Full User access (read all data, perform some actions) or Owner access (full control). For most SEO work, Full User is sufficient.
Understanding Google Search Console Permission Levels
Google Search Console offers two primary permission levels:
Owner
Owners have complete control over the Search Console property. They can view all data, access all features, add and remove other users, configure settings, submit sitemaps, request indexing, and delete the property. There are two types of Owners:
- Verified Owner: Someone who completed the verification process
- Delegated Owner: Someone granted Owner status by a Verified Owner
Full User
Full Users can view all data and use most features, including viewing performance reports, inspecting URLs, accessing the coverage report, and viewing most settings. However, they cannot add or remove users, and some administrative functions are restricted.
Restricted User (Legacy)
In older interfaces, there was also a Restricted User level with limited access to some reports. This has largely been replaced by the Full User model, but you may encounter it in some situations.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Adding Agency Access
Step 1: Access Google Search Console
Open your web browser and navigate to search.google.com/search-console. Sign in with the Google account that has Owner access to your property.
Step 2: Select the Correct Property
If you manage multiple properties, use the property selector dropdown in the top left corner to choose the website you want to share. Ensure you select the correct property type (Domain or URL-prefix).
Step 3: Navigate to Settings
Look for Settings in the left-hand navigation menu, typically near the bottom of the sidebar. Click on it to access property settings.
Step 4: Open Users and Permissions
In the Settings panel, click on Users and Permissions. This displays a list of all users who currently have access to the property, along with their permission levels.
Step 5: Add a New User
Click the Add User button, represented by a plus icon or the text "Add User" in the top right area of the panel.
A dialog box will appear requesting an email address and permission level.
Step 6: Enter the Agency's Email Address
Type the Google account email address provided by your agency into the email field. Double-check the spelling to ensure accuracy.
Step 7: Select the Permission Level
Below the email field, you will see options for permission levels:
- Owner: Full control including user management
- Full: Read access to all data and most features
For most SEO agency relationships, Full permission is appropriate. Select Owner only if the agency needs to manage other users or requires specific administrative capabilities.
Step 8: Add the User
Click Add to grant access. The user is added immediately—there is no invitation process to accept. The agency can now log into Search Console and see your property.
Step 9: Notify Your Agency
Contact your agency to inform them that access has been granted. They should be able to see your property in their Search Console dashboard immediately upon logging in.
Adding Agency Access via Property Settings Alternative
Another path to the same destination:
Step 1: Access Settings via Gear Icon
From any page in Search Console, look for a gear icon or settings menu. Click it and look for user management options.
Step 2: Follow Standard Process
The user management interface is the same regardless of how you access it. Enter the email and select permissions as described above.
Domain Properties vs URL-Prefix Properties
Understanding the difference between property types is important:
Domain Property
Covers all URLs under a domain, including all protocols (http, https) and all subdomains (www, blog, shop, etc.). Domain properties require DNS verification.
If you grant access to a Domain property, the agency can see data for your entire domain—all subdomains and paths.
URL-Prefix Property
Covers only the specific URL prefix you verified (e.g., https://www.example.com). Different subdomains or protocols would be separate properties.
If you have URL-prefix properties for different sections of your site, you may need to grant access to each one separately.
Granting Access to Multiple Properties
If your website has multiple Search Console properties (common for sites with separate mobile versions, subdomains, or protocol variations):
Step 1: Add to Each Property Individually
There is no bulk-add feature. You must add the agency to each property they need access to.
Step 2: Consider Domain Property
If you have a Domain property, granting access to it may eliminate the need to add access to individual URL-prefix properties, since the Domain property covers everything.
Step 3: Document What You Shared
Keep a record of which properties you granted agency access to for easy management later.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Issue: Cannot See the Add User Button
You do not have Owner-level access to the property. Only Owners can add users. Check the Users and Permissions section to see your own permission level. If you are a Full User, you need an Owner to either add users on your behalf or grant you Owner status.
Issue: Email Address Not Accepted
The email must be associated with a Google account. Personal emails from other providers (Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) that are not registered as Google accounts cannot be added.
Issue: Agency Cannot See the Property
Ensure the agency is logging in with the exact email address you added. Google accounts are case-sensitive for purposes of identification—if you added john@agency.com but they log in as John@agency.com, there should not be an issue, but different email addresses entirely will not work.
Issue: Property Not Verified
If your property shows as unverified, you need to complete the verification process before you can add users. Follow the verification prompts provided by Search Console.
Issue: Multiple Properties Needed
If your website has www and non-www versions, or http and https versions, as separate URL-prefix properties, you may need to add the agency to each. Consider setting up a Domain property to simplify management.
Issue: User Has Wrong Permission Level
You can change a user's permission level after adding them. Go to Users and Permissions, click on the user, and modify their permission level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my agency access my Google account?
No. Adding someone to Search Console grants access only to that specific Search Console property. They cannot access your Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google services.
Can the agency make changes to my website?
No. Search Console provides data about your site and some tools like URL inspection and sitemap submission, but it does not grant the ability to modify your website content or code.
Can the agency remove my ownership?
Delegated Owners can remove other Delegated Owners, but they cannot remove Verified Owners. If you completed the original verification, you cannot be removed except by yourself.
What data can the agency see?
Full Users and Owners can see all Search Console data, including search queries, clicks, impressions, average position, coverage issues, security issues, and more. No data is hidden from Full Users.
Can I add agencies to Google Analytics and Search Console together?
They are separate systems with separate user management. You need to add users to each platform individually.
Can I limit access to specific date ranges?
No. Users with access can see all available historical data for the property.
How do I remove agency access?
Go to Users and Permissions, find the user you want to remove, click on them, and select Remove Access. The change is immediate.
Is there a cost to add users?
No. Google Search Console is free, and there is no charge for adding users.
Conclusion
Granting agency access to Google Search Console enables your SEO partners to analyse your search performance, identify technical issues, and implement improvements. The process is straightforward—add their Google account email and select the appropriate permission level.
For most agency relationships, Full User access provides everything needed for comprehensive SEO work. Reserve Owner access for situations where the agency needs to manage other users or requires administrative control.
Review your Search Console users periodically to ensure only current partners have access, and remove former agencies promptly when relationships end.
If you are looking for expert SEO services, Core Operative AI provides comprehensive search optimisation solutions. From technical audits to content strategy and link building, we help businesses achieve higher rankings and increased organic traffic.
Ready to improve your search visibility? Contact Core Operative AI today to discuss how we can help you rank higher and attract more qualified traffic.
Last updated: February 2026