Summary
Google Postmaster Tools (GPT) offers robust features for managing user access to a domain's deliverability data. This functionality is typically found within the "Users & Permissions" section, allowing administrators to invite and assign specific roles to team members or clients. There are two main permission levels available: "Full access," which grants comprehensive control over domain settings and the ability to manage other users, and "Read only," which is ideal for individuals who only need to view data without making modifications. Only the domain owner or existing users with "Full access" can manage these permissions. Establishing an organizational, role-based account as the master GPT account is a recommended best practice for long-term access management. In situations where the original setup person is no longer available and full access is lost, it may be necessary to re-verify the domain by removing and re-adding the DNS authorization.
Key findings
- User Management Feature: Google Postmaster Tools includes a dedicated "Users & Permissions" section for managing who can access a domain's deliverability data.
- Two Permission Levels: There are two primary access roles: "Full access" and "Read only," each with distinct capabilities.
- Full Access Capabilities: Users with "Full access" can manage domain settings, add new users, remove existing users, and modify permissions.
- Read Only Functionality: "Read only" users can view all data dashboards and insights but are unable to make any changes or manage other users.
- Permission Prerequisites: Only the domain owner or existing users with "Full access" permissions for a domain can invite or manage other users.
- Multiple Owners Possible: It is possible to link multiple owner-level Google accounts to a single Google Postmaster Tools domain.
Key considerations
- Original Setup User: If the person who initially set up Google Postmaster Tools is no longer available and you lack "Full access," you may need to re-verify the domain by removing and then re-adding the DNS authorization cookie.
- Organizational Master Account: To ensure long-term accessibility and avoid dependency on individual accounts, consider setting up a generic, role-based organizational account, such as brandgpt@gmail.com, as the primary owner for your Google Postmaster Tools domains.
- Appropriate Role Assignment: Assign "Read only" access to team members or clients who primarily need to view data, preventing accidental changes to settings, while reserving "Full access" for those responsible for active management.
- Separate from Gsuite Admin: Be aware that user access for Google Postmaster Tools is distinct and separate from Gsuite or Google Workspace administrative access.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Google Postmaster Tools provides a straightforward system for sharing access to your domain's deliverability insights with various team members or clients. Through the "Users & Permissions" interface, the domain owner or any user with "Full access" can invite new users by simply inputting their email addresses. Access levels are clearly defined, offering "Full access" for administrative control, including the ability to manage domain settings and other users, and "Read only" for those who only need to view the data without making changes. This tiered approach facilitates collaborative analysis of email performance while maintaining strict control over sensitive configurations.
Key opinions
- Access Management Interface: Google Postmaster Tools centralizes user management within its "Users & Permissions" section.
- Role-Based Permissions: The platform offers two distinct access roles: "Full access" and "Read only."
- Full Access Privileges: Users with "Full access" can manage all domain settings and user permissions, including adding or removing team members.
- Read Only View: "Read only" users are restricted to viewing deliverability data and reports, unable to modify any settings or user access.
- Adding New Users: New users are easily added by entering their email address and assigning one of the available permission levels.
- Granting Authority: Only existing users with "Full access" or the domain owner can grant or modify user permissions.
Key considerations
- Organizational Accounts: Establishing a generic, role-based email account (e.g., a shared team inbox) as the primary owner for GPT ensures continuity of access, even if individual team members leave.
- Strategic Role Assignment: Assigning "Read only" access to clients or team members who only require data visibility helps prevent unintended modifications, while "Full access" should be reserved for administrators.
- Multiple Owner Support: Google Postmaster Tools supports linking multiple owner-level accounts, often negating the need to remove a prior owner's access.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that it's possible to have multiple owner-level Google accounts tied to Google Postmaster Tools (GPT), so removing the prior one isn't always necessary. She recommends setting up an organizational, role-based account, such as brandgpt@gmail.com, to act as the master account for GPT.
9 Jul 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from WordStream explains that Google Postmaster Tools allows for managing team access by assigning different roles. Users can be granted "Full access" which permits managing domain settings and adding/removing users, or "Read only" access, which allows viewing data without making changes. This ensures different team members, like analysts and marketers, have appropriate access levels.
26 Jul 2023 - WordStream
What the experts say
1 expert opinions
Managing user access in Google Postmaster Tools follows a distinct authorization model, separate from Google Workspace, or Gsuite, administration. A key aspect of this system is that the individual who initially set up and verified the domain in GPT holds exclusive power to authorize other users. If this original administrator leaves and full access is subsequently lost, the common solution involves re-verifying the domain by removing and then re-adding the DNS authorization cookie. This specific method of access control is intentionally implemented by Google as a strong security measure.
Key opinions
- Access Separation: Google Postmaster Tools user management operates separately and distinctly from Google Workspace, also known as Gsuite, administrative controls.
- Original Verifier's Authority: The individual who initially set up and verified the domain within Google Postmaster Tools possesses the exclusive authority to authorize or de-authorize other users.
- DNS Re-verification for Recovery: If the original setup person is no longer available and full access to Google Postmaster Tools is lost, regaining control typically necessitates re-verifying the domain by re-adding its DNS authorization record.
- Security Protocol: This model, where the initial verifier holds unique control, functions as a deliberate security measure within Google Postmaster Tools.
Key considerations
- Proactive Access Strategy: To prevent future access complications, it is advisable to use an organizational or team-level account as the initial verifier for Google Postmaster Tools domains, ensuring access continuity regardless of individual personnel changes.
- Contingency for Departures: Should the original administrator depart, be prepared to re-verify the domain in Google Postmaster Tools by removing and then re-adding the DNS authorization record to regain full control.
- Distinction from Workspace: Always remember that user access for Google Postmaster Tools is managed independently and is not linked to your Google Workspace, or Gsuite, administrator roles.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that Google Postmaster Tools (GPT) access is separate from Gsuite admin. She clarifies that only the original setup person can authorize other users. If that person is gone and you don't have full access, you'll likely need to remove and re-add the DNS authorization cookie. She highlights this as a good security measure.
1 Jun 2022 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
User access within Google Postmaster Tools is efficiently managed through its 'Users & Permissions' interface. This capability allows domain owners or those with 'Full access' to invite new users by simply providing their email addresses. Access levels are clearly defined, providing 'Full access' for comprehensive administrative control, including user management, and 'Read only' for individuals who solely require viewing privileges. This structured approach facilitates team collaboration on deliverability insights while ensuring data integrity and security.
Key findings
- Dedicated Management Section: Access to manage users in Google Postmaster Tools is primarily handled through the 'Users & Permissions' section for a verified domain.
- Authority for User Management: The authority to add new users, remove existing ones, or modify permissions rests exclusively with the domain owner or individuals granted 'Full access' rights.
- Simple User Addition: New users are integrated into a domain's Postmaster Tools access by providing their email address within the permission management interface.
- Two Access Levels: Google Postmaster Tools offers two specific permission levels for users: 'Full access' for comprehensive control and 'Read only' for data viewing.
- Full Access Capabilities: Users with 'Full access' possess the ability to oversee domain settings, invite additional users, and manage existing user permissions.
- Read Only Functionality: The 'Read only' permission type allows users to view all available deliverability data and reports without the capacity to make any changes or manage other users.
Key considerations
- Controlled Data Access: Carefully managing user permissions ensures controlled access to sensitive deliverability data, preventing unauthorized modifications and maintaining data integrity.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Granting appropriate access levels enables effective collaboration among team members or clients who need to analyze and act upon email deliverability insights.
- Strategic Role Assignment: Assigning 'Full access' only to those who require administrative control, and 'Read only' to individuals who primarily need to monitor data, is crucial for maintaining security and operational efficiency.
- Permission Hierarchy: The system's design, which requires either domain ownership or 'Full access' to manage users, establishes a robust permission hierarchy that centralizes administrative control.
Technical article
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools Help explains that to manage users in Postmaster Tools, you must be the domain owner or have "Full access" permissions for that domain. It details steps for adding new users by entering their email address and assigning them "Full access" or "Read only" permissions. It also covers removing users and managing existing permissions.
26 Sep 2022 - Google Postmaster Tools Help
Technical article
Documentation from the Google Support Community confirms that adding users to Google Postmaster Tools involves navigating to the "Users & Permissions" section for a verified domain. It specifies that only users with "Full access" or the domain owner can invite new users by entering their email addresses and assigning them either "Full access" or "Read only" permissions, ensuring controlled access to deliverability data.
28 Nov 2021 - Google Support Community
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