Google Search Console (GSC) is a powerful tool that helps website owners, SEO specialists, and developers understand how their site is performing in Google Search.
Whether you’re running technical audits, analysing keyword data, or fixing indexing issues, sometimes you’ll need to share access with others.
This guide will walk you through why and how to add a user to your GSC property, what each permission level means, and how to manage user roles securely.
Key Takeaways
- Only Google Accounts can be granted access to GSC.
- Choose the right permission: Owner, Full User, or Restricted User.
- Access can be added or removed in the Settings section.
- Use Full User for collaborators who need to work in GSC but don’t need admin rights.
- Review and manage access regularly to maintain control over your data.
Why give someone access?
If you’re working with an SEO agency, content manager, or developer, they need GSC access to view reliable, direct data – like keyword performance, indexing issues, crawl status, and more.
This is far more accurate than third-party tools like SEMrush that rely on estimates.
What are the permission levels?
GSC offers three roles:
- Owner: Full control – including managing users and settings.
- Full User: View data and make basic site changes.
- Restricted User: View only. No changes allowed.
These distinctions are essential to prevent under or over-granting access.
How to add a user (step-by-step)
- Go to Settings (scroll to bottom) → Users & permissions within GSC.
- Click Add User, enter the person’s Google-linked email.
- Assign the correct role and click Add. The access takes effect immediately.
Note: The email must be tied to a Google Account (Gmail, Workspace, or other).
How to remove a user
If you need to revoke access, simply go to the Users & permissions section, click the three dots next to the user, and select Remove access. This takes effect immediately.
Permission level comparison table
| Role | Can View Data | Submit Sitemaps & Indexing | Manage Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Full User | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Restricted User | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Tips & Troubleshooting
- You must be an Owner to add or remove users.
- You can’t use email groups. Only individual Google accounts.
- GSC allows up to 100 non-owner users per property.
- Verified owners can’t be removed unless you delete their verification token.
- The added email must be tied to a Google Account, even if it’s a custom domain.
Can I give GSC access to someone using a non-Gmail email address?
Yes, but the email must be linked to a Google Account. This includes Gmail, Google Workspace accounts, or even custom domain emails that are registered with Google.
Why can’t I see the ‘Add User’ button in my account?
Only verified property owners can add or remove users in GSC. If you don’t see the option, you likely don’t have Owner-level access.
Can I assign multiple roles to one user in Google Search Console?
No. Each user can only have one role per property. If you need to change a role, you must edit the existing user’s permissions.
Will the user I add get notified by email?
No, Google doesn’t send an automatic email notification when a user is added to GSC. You’ll need to inform them manually.
Can I restrict access to only one section of GSC (like Indexing or Performance)?
Not currently. GSC only supports the three fixed permission levels – there’s no way to grant access to specific tools or reports only.
Conclusion
Giving the right people access to your Google Search Console account is crucial for collaboration and site growth. Make sure to assign the appropriate role and keep permissions tidy to maintain security. If you’re ever unsure, start with “Full User” and adjust as needed.
Need help with GSC? Get in touch or drop a comment below the YT video!
