How to Delete Google AdMob Account

Closing your Google AdMob account is a final step, often taken when you've sold your apps, moved to a different monetization platform, or simply decided to wrap up a project. This guide will walk you through the entire process, including the critical preparatory steps you need to take and what you can expect after the account is closed for good.

Before You Delete: Important Things to Consider

Canceling your AdMob account is permanent and has implications beyond just turning off ads. Before you click that final confirmation button, you need to be aware of a few key details to avoid losing money or creating issues with other Google services.

1. Account Deletion is Permanent

This cannot be stressed enough: when you cancel your AdMob account, there is no undo button. You will lose all access to your account's historical data, including performance reports, earnings history, and ad unit configurations. If you think you might need this information for tax purposes or future analysis, be sure to export all necessary reports before starting the cancellation process.

2. It Also Closes Your Associated AdSense Account

This is the most critical detail that many users overlook. Your AdMob account is fundamentally linked to a Google AdSense account for payment processing. When you initiate the cancellation of your AdMob account, you are also closing the associated AdSense account. If you use that same AdSense account for monetizing a YouTube channel or a website, you will lose the ability to do so. If you need to keep your AdSense account open for other properties, you should not cancel your AdMob account. Instead, you can simply remove all ad units from your apps to stop monetization through AdMob while keeping the AdSense account active.

3. Check Your Account Balance and Payment Threshold

To receive your final payment from AdMob, your account balance must meet the "cancellation threshold." This amount varies by country but is typically around $10 USD or its equivalent in your local currency.

• If your balance is above the threshold: You will receive a final payout within approximately 90 days after the end of the month in which you canceled, provided there are no payment holds on your account.
• If your balance is below the threshold: You will not be paid the remaining amount. Google's Terms of Service state that balances below this threshold are forfeited upon cancellation.

4. Resolve All Payment Holds

You cannot close your account if there are any active payment holds. These are common administrative checks that you must complete before getting paid. Sign in to your AdMob account and navigate to the Payments > Payments info section to check for any alerts. Common holds include:

• Address (PIN) verification: Google mails a physical letter with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to your registered address. You must enter this PIN in your account to verify you can receive mail there.
• Tax information: You may need to submit your tax information (like a W-9 form for U.S. publishers) before payments can be released.
• Payment method verification: You must have a valid, verified payment method selected (e.g., bank account).

Ensure you clear every single hold before attempting to cancel your account. If you don't, you won't be able to proceed with the cancellation process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Your AdMob Account

Once you've considered all the implications and completed the required preparations, you can proceed with the actual cancellation. You must be an administrator on the account to perform these actions.

Step 1: Sign in to AdMob

Head over to apps.admob.com and sign in with the Google Account associated with the AdMob account you wish to delete.

Step 2: Navigate to Settings

In the left-hand navigation menu, look for and click on 'Settings.'

Step 3: Go to the 'Account' Tab

Within the Settings area, you'll see several tabs at the top. Click on the 'Account' tab to access your account-level information and controls.

Step 4: Find the 'Account Information' Section

Under the 'Account' tab, make sure you are in the 'Account information' sub-section. Here, you'll see details like your Publisher ID, Customer ID, and the status of your account.

Step 5: Initiate the Cancellation

Look for the 'Account status' line. Next to 'Open', you should see an option to 'Cancel account.' Click on this link to begin the cancellation workflow.

Step 6: Review and Confirm

A confirmation screen will appear, reiterating the important consequences of this action. It will remind you that your associated AdSense account will also be closed and that this action is permanent. Read this information carefully.

You will be required to check a box confirming that you understand the terms of the cancellation. Finally, you will need to select a reason for canceling from a dropdown menu.

Step 7: Finalize the Deletion

After checking the confirmation box and selecting a reason, click the 'Confirm cancellation' button. That's it. Your account is now scheduled for permanent closure. You will receive an email from Google confirming your request. Ad serving to your apps will typically stop within 24 hours.

What Happens After You Cancel?

The process doesn't end the moment you click 'Confirm'. Here’s what you can expect in the following days and months:

• Ad Serving Halts: Monetization from AdMob will stop. Users of your app will no longer see ads served from your network.
• Final Payment: As mentioned, if your balance was above the verification and cancellation thresholds and you had no payment holds, you'll receive your final payment. This process can take up to 90 days from the end of the month in which you canceled. For example, if you cancel in March, your final payment should arrive by the end of June.
• Loss of Access: You'll be able to access your account for a short period after cancellation to see final payment details, but eventually, you will be unable to sign in at all.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

What if I'm below the cancellation threshold? Do I lose the money?

Yes, unfortunately. If your confirmed earnings are below the final payment threshold (e.g., $10 in the U.S.), the balance will be forfeited and will not be paid out. This is a non-negotiable part of Google's terms.

I canceled by mistake! Can I reactivate my AdMob account?

No, account cancellation is permanent and cannot be reversed. If you decide you want to use AdMob in the future, you will have to sign up for a new account using the same or a different Google Account. This new account will start from scratch, with no access to your previous data or settings.

Does deleting my AdMob account affect my Google Ads account?

No. Your AdMob/AdSense account (for receiving money from ads) is separate from your Google Ads account (for spending money to run your own ad campaigns). Closing AdMob will not affect your ability to advertise on Google's network through Google Ads.

Will this deletion impact my Google Play Console or Apple App Store Connect developer accounts?

No, your developer program accounts are entirely separate. You will still be able to manage, update, and publish your apps on both stores without issue. The only change is that any version of your apps hard-coded with your old AdMob ad unit IDs will no longer show ads.

Alternatives to Full Deletion

If you're unsure about permanent closure, consider these less final alternatives:

• Pause Ad Units: If you only want to stop monetization for a specific app temporarily, you can simply remove the ad units from your app's code or pause them in their respective platforms. This keeps your AdMob account active for future use.
• Remove Unused Apps: If you've sold or unpublished an app, you can simply archive it within your AdMob dashboard. This cleans up your interface but preserves your overall account and its history.

These actions give you flexibility without the permanent consequences of total account closure.

Final Thoughts

Deleting your Google AdMob account is straightforward, but it’s a decision that requires careful planning. By ensuring you meet the payment requirements, resolving any holds, and understanding the impact on your linked AdSense account, you can close your account smoothly without any unwelcome surprises.

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