How to get a password out of Google

Their online help feature is useless!

[oddsod]

I've bought a site that has Google Analytics code on it. It's had that code for a while but the owner can't remember which email address he used to sign up for Google Analytics.

Without that email address is the account (and all the data) effectively lost? That seems crazy! If Google's password assistance could take the domain name they could send the password to whatever email address they have for this account. But they don't - they require an email address first! If you've run many sites with hundreds/thousands of emails addresses redirected to a catchall - you'll understand the problem he's having coming up with the exact address.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Would appreciate any advice.

[oddsod]

No one?

[shakeel moosa]

try all the possible e mail address the owner owes.
Or else check out this link.

[google.com...]

[oddsod]

Sometimes it's just not possible to try all the email addresses as the person who setup the account may not be around or even alive. All you may have is the domain name.

Unfortunately, that help page does not say what to do if you don't have the login email address.

[cgrantski]

If they have a big enough AdWords account and have a human contact at Google, contact that person, or contact Google to find out who that person is. All you'll need is the Google Analytics ID number which is in every tag. They have the ability to send an email to the email address associated with that ID number. This'll work if your owner buddy actually gets that email or has a clue about how to check his apparently many email addresses.

You could always try a direct email to AdWords Help (not GA Help).

Other than leveraging the ID number and a sympathetic Google employee, you just might have to start over. In your frustration, remember that Google may be motivated by protecting people's data, and that someday you might be in a situation where you're really thankful for their tough policy. This time, you are an innocent bystander. But I think I'd be more frustrated at the disorganized former owner than at Google.