Who owns the ad account when you leave a marketing agency?
Whoever the account was created under. If the agency created your Meta ad account, Google Ads account, CRM or domain inside their own business manager, they own it and you leave with nothing: no audiences, no conversion history, no reviews data, sometimes not even your website. Before signing with any agency, confirm in writing that every asset is created in your name and that you keep admin access.
By Marco Savone, co-founder of Scusa Media. Sold and marketed for a Metro Detroit exterior remodeler before starting the agency.The assets that walk out the door
Meta ad account and pixel, with years of conversion data and the audiences built from it.
Google Ads account and its quality-score history, plus Local Services Ads verification.
The CRM with every lead, note and automation.
The domain, the website files and hosting.
The Google Business Profile, if the agency was made primary owner.
Ad creative, video and photos.
How to check right now
Meta: Business Settings, Ad Accounts. If your business manager is not listed as owner, you do not own it.
Google Ads: the account should sit under your Google Ads manager or your own login; the agency should be linked as a manager, not the owner.
Domain: log in to the registrar. If you cannot, you do not control it.
Google Business Profile: Business Profile settings, Managers. You should be primary owner.
What to put in the agreement
All accounts created in the client's name; agency added as manager or partner.
Admin access for the client at all times.
On termination, agency removes itself within 5 business days and hands over any logins it created.
Content and creative produced for the client belong to the client on payment.
How we do it
Ad accounts, CRM, domain, site code, pixels and audiences live in your name from day one. If we part ways, it all stays with you. It is one of the four promises on our home page because it is the number one thing contractors tell us they got burned on.
Questions people ask next
The agency says it is easier to run everything under their business manager. Is that true?
It is easier for them. Meta partner access lets an agency run your account from their business manager while you keep ownership. There is no operational reason for them to own it.
Can I get the account back after leaving?
Sometimes, by asking. Legally, if it was created under their entity and the contract is silent, it is theirs. Get it in writing before, not after.
What about the reviews and the Google Business Profile?
Reviews belong to the profile. Make sure you are primary owner of the profile and the agency is a manager.
Related: Roofing marketing · Remodeling marketing · HVAC marketing
Proof from clients
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Read the answerWant this handled for your business?
Book a free 45-minute call. We look at your numbers and tell you what to build first, whether or not you hire us.