Update Access Overview
This guide covers how to modify roles and permissions for existing users in your Snapchat Ads accounts, including promotions, demotions, and responsibility changes.
When to Update Access
Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Current Role | New Role | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-onboarding | Admin | Advertiser | Setup complete, reduce admin access |
| Role change | Advertiser | Analyst | Moved to analytics team |
| Promotion | Analyst | Advertiser | Now managing campaigns |
| Temporary elevation | Advertiser | Admin | Billing changes needed |
| Department transfer | Advertiser | Creative | Moved to creative team |
| Add billing access | Advertiser | Finance | Taking over billing |
Prerequisites
Before updating access:
- Admin access to the account
- Business justification for the change
- User notification (inform them of the change)
- Manager approval (if required)
- Backup admin available (if demoting last admin)
Method 1: Via Business Manager
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Access Business Manager
- Go to business.snapchat.com
- Log in with your Snapchat account
- Select your Business Manager organization
Step 2: Navigate to Members
- Click Settings in the left sidebar
- Select Members
- Find the user you want to modify
Step 3: Edit User Permissions
- Click on the user's name or Edit button
- Review current permissions
- Update as needed:
Option A: Change Business Role
- Toggle between Admin and Member
- Admin: Full Business Manager control
- Member: Limited to assigned assets
Option B: Change Ad Account Role
- Find the Ad Accounts section
- Locate the specific ad account
- Click dropdown next to the account
- Select new role:
- Admin
- Advertiser
- Analyst
- Creative
- Finance
Option C: Add/Remove Ad Accounts
- Click Add Ad Account to grant access to additional accounts
- Click Remove (X) to revoke access to specific accounts
Option D: Modify Asset Access
- Find Pixels, Catalogs, or Audiences sections
- Add or remove access to specific assets
- Change permission level (view vs. edit)
Step 4: Save Changes
- Review all modifications
- Click Save or Update
- Changes take effect immediately
Method 2: Via Ads Manager Direct
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Access Ads Manager
- Go to ads.snapchat.com
- Select correct ad account (top right dropdown)
- Click Settings (gear icon)
- Select Members
Step 2: Edit User Role
- Find the user in the members list
- Click Edit (pencil icon) next to their name
- Select new role from dropdown:
- Admin
- Advertiser
- Analyst
- Creative
- Finance
Step 3: Save Changes
- Click Save
- Changes apply immediately
- User does not need to re-accept invitation
Role Change Guidelines
Upgrading Access
From Analyst to Advertiser
Reason: User now needs to manage campaigns
Checklist:
- Confirm training completed
- Manager approval obtained
- User understands campaign management
- Budget responsibility clarified
Process:
- Change role to Advertiser
- Grant pixel access if needed
- Notify user of new permissions
- Provide campaign management training
From Advertiser to Admin
Reason: User taking over account management
Checklist:
- Verify need for admin access
- Confirm billing responsibility
- Document user management authority
- Ensure another admin exists
Process:
- Verify business justification
- Get VP/Director approval
- Change role to Admin
- Brief on admin responsibilities
- Document in access log
Downgrading Access
From Admin to Advertiser
Reason: Setup complete, reduce security risk
Checklist:
- Ensure at least one other admin exists
- Transfer owned assets to other admin
- Verify billing access not needed
- Notify user of change
Process:
- Add another admin first (if needed)
- Transfer any owned pixels/audiences
- Change role to Advertiser
- Confirm user retains needed access
From Advertiser to Analyst
Reason: Role change to reporting focus
Checklist:
- Pause or transfer active campaigns
- Remove pixel editing access
- Verify reporting needs only
- Notify user of reduced access
Process:
- Change role to Analyst
- Verify they can still view reports
- Document reason for change
- Provide analytics training resources
Temporary Access Changes
Temporary Admin Elevation
Sometimes users need temporary admin access for specific tasks:
Use Case: Advertiser needs to update billing method
Process:
- Change role to Admin
- Set calendar reminder to revert (e.g., 24 hours)
- User completes task
- Revert to Advertiser role
- Document temporary change
## Temporary Access Record
User: john.smith@company.com
Original Role: Advertiser
Temporary Role: Admin
Reason: Update payment method
Duration: 24 hours
Granted: 2025-12-24 09:00
Reverted: 2025-12-25 09:00
Granted By: admin@company.com
Multiple Ad Account Management
Scenario: User Needs Different Roles Across Accounts
Example:
- Ad Account A: Admin (manages this account)
- Ad Account B: Analyst (only views reports)
- Ad Account C: No access
Via Business Manager:
- Open user in Members section
- Under Ad Accounts:
- Account A: Select Admin
- Account B: Select Analyst
- Account C: Leave unassigned or remove
- Save changes
Asset Access Updates
Adding Pixel Access
Scenario: Advertiser needs to manage tracking
- Open user in Members section
- Find Pixels section
- Click Add Pixel
- Select pixel to share
- Choose permission level:
- View: Can see pixel configuration
- Edit: Can modify pixel settings
- Save changes
Removing Catalog Access
Scenario: User no longer manages product feeds
- Open user in Members section
- Find Catalogs section
- Locate the catalog
- Click Remove (X)
- Confirm removal
- Save changes
Verification Steps
Confirm Change Applied
- Refresh Members list - User should show new role
- Ask user to log in - Verify new permissions work
- Test specific action - Have user test new capability
- Check audit log - Confirm change recorded
Test Scenarios by Role
After upgrading to Advertiser:
- Can create new campaign
- Can edit existing campaigns
- Can view all reports
After downgrading to Analyst:
- Cannot edit campaigns
- Can still view all reports
- Cannot access billing
After changing to Finance:
- Can view invoices
- Can view payment methods
- Cannot view campaigns
Documentation Requirements
Update Access Log
## Access Change Record
Date: 2025-12-24
Action: Role Changed
User: john.smith@company.com
Previous Role: Advertiser
New Role: Admin
Ad Account(s): 12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012
Changed By: admin@company.com
Reason: Taking over account management and billing
Manager Approval: Jane Doe (Marketing Director) - 2025-12-23
Duration: Permanent
Capture Screenshot
Screenshot should show:
- User's email
- New role
- Date of change
- Changed by (your username)
Notify User
Template email:
Subject: Snapchat Ads Access Updated - [Account Name]
Hi [Name],
Your access to our Snapchat Ads account has been updated:
Previous Role: [Old Role]
New Role: [New Role]
Account: [Account Name]
Effective: Immediately
What This Means:
[Describe new permissions/restrictions]
New Capabilities:
- [List what they can now do]
Removed Capabilities (if applicable):
- [List what they can no longer do]
If you have questions about your new role, please contact:
[Contact name and email]
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Troubleshooting
Issue: Can't Change Role
Possible Causes:
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Not an admin yourself | Ask another admin to make the change |
| Last admin in account | Add another admin first before demoting |
| User is Business Admin | Change in Business Manager, not Ads Manager |
| Insufficient permissions | Verify you have admin access |
Issue: Changes Not Appearing
Solutions:
- Hard refresh browser (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)
- Clear browser cache
- Log out and log back in
- Wait 5-10 minutes for propagation
- Try different browser
Issue: User Can't Perform New Actions
Troubleshooting:
- Verify role change saved correctly
- Check user is in correct ad account
- Have user log out and back in
- Verify specific permissions enabled
- Check if asset access also needed
Best Practices
Security
- Minimize admins - Only 1-2 admins per account
- Review regularly - Audit roles quarterly
- Document reasons - Record why changes were made
- Approval process - Require manager sign-off
- Temporary elevation - Revert elevated access promptly
Process
- Plan changes - Don't make impulsive role changes
- Communicate first - Notify user before changing
- Test after change - Verify new permissions work
- Update documentation - Keep access logs current
- Schedule review - Add to next audit cycle
Change Management
## Role Change Workflow
1. Request submitted with justification
2. Manager reviews and approves
3. Admin reviews technical feasibility
4. User notified of pending change
5. Change executed
6. User confirms new access works
7. Change documented in access log
8. Added to next audit review
Common Workflows
Workflow: Quarterly Access Review
1. Export list of all users and roles
2. Review with department managers
3. Identify role changes needed
4. Get approval for changes
5. Execute changes in batch
6. Notify all affected users
7. Document all changes
8. Update next review date
Workflow: Employee Transfer
Employee transferring from Marketing to Analytics team
1. Review current access (Advertiser role)
2. Confirm new role needs (Analyst role)
3. Get approval from both managers
4. Change role to Analyst
5. Remove pixel editing access
6. Verify can still view reports
7. Notify employee and managers
8. Document change
Next Steps
After updating access:
- Monitor usage - Ensure new role is appropriate
- Gather feedback - Ask if permissions are sufficient
- Schedule follow-up - Check in after 30 days
- Update documentation - Keep access records current
- Plan next review - Add to quarterly audit
Related Guides
- User Management Overview - Complete user management guide
- Add User Access - Invite new users
- Remove User Access - Offboarding process