Can I have 2 adwords accounts?

Is it against Google's TOS?

[gnotte]

As a solution to the Google changes (10th July) some people recommended openining a new adwords account and buying a new domain name.

Still, I want to keep my old account with all the historical data and payments in it.

So my question is:
Can I open another adwords account or is it against Google's TOS?

If it's against Google's TOS, how can I hide from them?

Is it enough to register with a different name / postal address /e-mail or should I use another credit card as well?

Thanks!

[QualityNonsense]

It's against their TOS to have two accounts. I've reported a competitor for using two accounts to maintain two slots in the top 10 SERPs for a competitive keyword, and - unlike search spam complaints - Google act promptly.

Presumably Google track IP addresses etc for suspicious patterns of behaviour (eg, click fraud). Oh, and they have two AdWords staffers who are regulars on these forums too.

[ronmcd]

It must be said theres a difference between opening a new account to kick start your ads, and having two accounts running at the same time using the same keywords to double serve. It's unlikely you will actually get in trouble for having two accounts, just dont advertise the same things.

[sailorjwd]

It is ok to have two accounts as long as you ask first.

You need to become an Account Manager (master account), where you manage multiple accounts within the master account, typically for other folks.

The problem you'll have is giving them a good reason why you need this. Managing 'another domain' may be good enough.

[JustinSch]

Maybe someone can grab a snippet direct from google TOS, but I am pretty sure you can have as many accounts as you want so long as you are not "double dipping" i.e. selling 2 different dog training tips ebooks, one from each account, both using the same keyword.

I don't think your required to have a master account and use the MCC either.

As long as you do not run 2 ads on the same keywords at the same time, than to the best of my knowledge, you can have 2 accounts.

If someone can show us a snippet from google TOS or quote from a google rep, confirming or denying this, please let us know.

Justin

[ronmcd]

Individuals advertising for themselves or for their own businesses may only have a single AdWords account. However, your account may contain multiple Ad Groups and ads triggered by the same or similar keywords.

Only client managers (such as third parties or search engine marketers) who use a My Client Center can have multiple AdWords accounts. All associated accounts must be linked to the manager's My Client Center account.

[wrgvt]

I joined AdWords almost as soon as it started years ago, and there wasn't anything in the guidelines then about having multiple accounts. I eventually set up several accounts, each account dedicated to a specific site or a specific geographic area. I didn't serve multiple ads in the same geographic areas from the same keywords.

Over time, it became too much of a pain to deal with multiple accounts, and I eventually merged them all into one account. The other accounts are still active, but all the campaigns are paused. I occasionally dig through them for some ads or keyword lists I used to run.

[QualityNonsense]

It is ok to have two accounts as long as you ask first.

Correct, of course. I didn't make myself clear, but meant it's against the TOS in the context of the original post, which posited the question: "If it's against Google's TOS, how can I hide from them?".

[gnotte]

Thanks for the helpful responses guys.

So basically, if I pause my campaigns (which aren't even running because of the $10 bid) in my first account, then Google won't mind me having another account with those campaigns in an active state, right?

I mean it's still against their TOS, but they aren't likely to ban me.

Honestly, I could request a master account from Google, but seeing their crappy and disgusting attitude towards advertisers there is no way I'm contacting them.

They didn't even respond for my request to re-evaluate my ads after the change!

Thanks!