Google Ads Customer List Import from Google Sheets Error
If you’re trying to upload a customer list into Google ads from Google Sheets and are seeing this error:
“The data source is inaccessible, not found, or not authorized. Check your data source connection and permission settings, and try again. (Error code: 1035)”
There’s a chance the issue could be a permissions error between Google sheets, in which case I’ll put the instructions below. But, if your situation was the same infuriating one as mine, then the issue actually has nothing to do with the data source being inaccessible and here’s how you solve it.
What the Issue Actually Was
For myself, the issue had absolutely nothing to do with Google’s connection to the Google sheet, even though that’s all the error mentions. It was actually an issue with additional column headers being included.
If you have additional columns in your Google sheet, Google may show this entirely unrelated error so update your Google sheet to only include the columns below and use this exact wording, capitalization, etc. for the headings.
Only ‘Email’ is mandatory, but the others are recommended as well if you have them available:
Email
Phone
First Name
Last Name
Country
Zip
How to Solve the Issue if it’s Not Connection Related
If your columns are correct, you may have to re-authorize the Connection since the “handshake” between Google Ads and Google Sheets may have expired or broken.
- In Google Ads, go to Tools & Settings > Audience Manager.
- On the left, look for Data Sources.
- Find Google Sheets and click Details or Manage.
- Unlink or Remove the current connection.
- Start the upload process from scratch; you will be prompted to “Authorize” Google Ads to access your Drive again.
Hopefully that saves you a lot of headache.