Granting Read-Only Access in Webmaster Tools

Overview

Webmaster Tools is a free service available through Google Adword Expert which allows site administrators to monitor and maintain their website’s presence throughout search engine results. The data it provides helps refine your marketing strategy and optimize your website’s performance.

You can safely share access to your Webmaster Tools data with outside users by granting restricted permission made available through the account settings. Adding a new user with restricted access ensures they can view the site data but cannot make sensitive changes to your account.

Adding a Restricted User

To add a new restricted user, begin by logging into Webmaster Tools and select the relevant managed web property — you’ll be directed to its dashboard. *Note that if the web property is marked as Restricted Access, you will not be able to add new users.

From the dashboard, look toward the top right of the screen and find the icon. Click to access the drop down menu, and select Users & Site Owners from the available options. If you don’t see this as an option, your account may not have full access.

From the Users & Site Owners page, you will see a list of users with specified levels of access to the web property.

To add an additional user(s), select near the top right of the page. You’ll receive a dialog box requesting the new user’s email address and a drop down box denoting the permission level. *Note that Restricted access is the default permission.

Enter the required information and click Add. The newly added user will need to confirm access through their email. Once completed, you should see this user included on the Users & Site Owners index.

For more information on the differences between restricted and full access, visit Google Web Master Central.