Google Ads MCP Server

This skill configures the google-ads-mcp server for live Google Ads API access through Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, or any MCP client.

Quick Setup

1. Install

pip install git+https://github.com/itallstartedwithaidea/google-ads-mcp.git

2. Configure Credentials

Create a .env file or set environment variables:

GOOGLE_ADS_DEVELOPER_TOKEN=your-developer-token
GOOGLE_ADS_CLIENT_ID=your-oauth-client-id
GOOGLE_ADS_CLIENT_SECRET=your-oauth-client-secret
GOOGLE_ADS_REFRESH_TOKEN=your-refresh-token
GOOGLE_ADS_LOGIN_CUSTOMER_ID=123-456-7890

Or point to an existing google-ads.yaml:

GOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS=/path/to/google-ads.yaml
GOOGLE_ADS_LOGIN_CUSTOMER_ID=123-456-7890

3. Run

python -m ads_mcp.server

Claude Code Configuration

Place .mcp.json in your project root:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-ads": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "ads_mcp.server"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS": "${GOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS}",
        "GOOGLE_ADS_LOGIN_CUSTOMER_ID": "${GOOGLE_ADS_LOGIN_CUSTOMER_ID}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code auto-discovers .mcp.json and loads the server on startup.

Claude Desktop Configuration

Add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-ads": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "ads_mcp.server"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_ADS_CREDENTIALS": "/path/to/google-ads.yaml",
        "GOOGLE_ADS_LOGIN_CUSTOMER_ID": "123-456-7890"
      }
    }
  }
}

Available Tools (29)

Read Tools (9)

Tool	Description
list_accessible_customers	List all accessible customer accounts
list_accounts	List accounts under an MCC with details
execute_gaql	Run custom GAQL queries
get_campaign_performance	Campaign metrics with date range
get_keyword_performance	Keyword metrics and quality scores
get_search_terms	Search term report with wasted spend
get_ad_performance	Ad creative performance
get_account_budget_summary	Budget utilization analysis
generate_keyword_ideas	Keyword Planner search volume and CPC

Audit Tools (7)

Tool	Description
get_auction_insights	Competitive auction data
get_change_history	Recent account changes
get_device_performance	Performance by device type
get_geo_performance	Performance by location
get_recommendations	Google's optimization suggestions
get_pmax_performance	Performance Max campaign data
get_impression_share	Impression share and lost opportunity

Write Tools (11) — dry-run by default

Tool	Description
update_campaign_budget	Change daily budget
update_campaign_status	Pause or enable a campaign
update_ad_group_status	Pause or enable an ad group
update_keyword_bid	Change keyword CPC bid
add_keywords	Add keywords to an ad group
add_negative_keywords	Add negative keywords
remove_negative_keyword	Remove a negative keyword
create_campaign	Create a new campaign (paused)
create_ad_group	Create a new ad group
switch_bidding_strategy	Change bidding strategy
generic_mutate	Raw Google Ads API mutation

All write tools use confirm=False by default (dry-run preview). Pass confirm=True only after reviewing the preview.

Doc Tools (2)

Tool	Description
get_gaql_reference	GAQL syntax and field reference
get_workflow_guide	Step-by-step workflow instructions

Credential Sources

Value	Where to Get It
Developer Token	ads.google.com → Tools & Settings → API Center
Client ID	console.cloud.google.com → Credentials
Client Secret	console.cloud.google.com → Credentials
Refresh Token	OAuth Playground or google-ads Python auth helper
Login Customer ID	Your MCC account ID (top of Google Ads UI)

Troubleshooting

Problem	Fix
UNAUTHENTICATED	Refresh token expired — regenerate via OAuth Playground
PERMISSION_DENIED	Account not accessible under your MCC
DEVELOPER_TOKEN_NOT_APPROVED	Apply for Basic Access at ads.google.com → API Center
Rate limit exceeded	Basic Access: 15K ops/day. Use LIMIT clauses and filters.

Related

• google-ads-mcp repo — Full source code
• google-ads-api-agent — Python agent with 28 tools
• googleadsagent.ai — Production system (Buddy)