Change your account type

This article will help you understand and manage your Google Ads account type.

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• Get started
• How to update your account type
• Optimize with best practices

Get started

When you first set up your Google Ads account, you can choose from 2 account types: Individual or Organization. Make sure to choose the account type that best fits how you plan to use Google Ads. Your account type and its information must be accurate for tax purposes and for passing Google Ads advertiser verification. Related documentation may be required.

• Individual: Select this option if you manage your account strictly for personal advertising needs. An individual also includes most solo business owners, like freelancers or consultants who aren’t registered as a business. To complete Advertiser verification, you may be required to submit a government-issued personal ID.
• Organization: Select this setting if you advertise on behalf of a registered business, corporation, partnership, educational institution, or limited liability company. This account category applies to business advertisers, charities, for-profit entities, and political parties, as well as sole proprietors operating under a registered trade name. To complete Advertiser verification, you may be required to submit official business registration documents based on the requirements for your country.

How to update your account type

You may be able to switch the account type once for your account in your account’s Billing Settings page through the steps below. If you can't find the pencil icon beside the Account type field, you must contact support to request the change.

1. Go to Settings within the Billing menu .
2. Open the "Payer details" section, then select the pencil icon beside "Account type".
3. Follow the steps in the pop-up window to confirm the change:
   1. Confirm why you want to change the account type.
   2. Acknowledge the potential implications of making the change as it'll require your account to switch to a different payments profile:
      1. Changing account type can only be performed once.
      2. When the process is completed:
         1. You'll be required to complete advertiser verification even if you were previously verified.
         2. Your past billing history will be accessible from the Billing transfers page.
         3. If you have a promotional credit, it won't be transferred or refunded.
         4. If you're on postpay, your payment threshold may differ from its current amount.
         5. If you have a monthly account limit, it won't transfer.
   3. Pay your open balance (if applicable). Note that a credit or debit card must be used to pay off your balance. If you have a credit balance, it'll be refunded automatically (minus any unbilled cost).
      1. If there's a delay processing your payment, you may need to wait until it's reflected in your account to start over from step #2.
      2. If you don't have a credit or debit card, you must pause your campaigns and make a payment in the Summary page using your available local form of payment. After the payment has been processed, you can start over from step #2.
   4. Select your billing country (for business account types make sure it matches with your business registration document).
   5. Create a new payment profile (name, address, primary contact, payment method, and more) or select an existing payments profile with the correct account type.
   6. Select Submit.

After the account type transfer is complete (usually immediately but may take a maximum of 24 hours), the contact associated with the payments profile you created or selected will receive email confirmation of this change.

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Go to Billing Settings

After completing your account type update, as mentioned above, you'll be required to complete advertiser verification even if you were previously verified. Ensure to check the deadline by which you need to complete advertiser verification in the in-account notification or by checking the Account page under "Admin".

Related links

• Advertiser verification
• Document requirements for advertiser verification
• Enable, pause, or remove a campaign
• Make a payment