Hi there! I just opened my first ever advertising account today. I haven't even uploaded a banner yet, and they are already asking for my passport. Is it normal for brand new accounts to get hit with this immediately? I thought I had some time to test things out first.
Greetings! Yes, it is becoming very common now. Google has tightened its security, so almost every new advertiser gets flagged for a check right away to prevent spam. It feels a bit discouraging when you are just trying to learn the ropes of digital marketing. When I started my second niche site, I decided to go with BuyGoogleAdsAccount. Getting through the Google Ads verification https://www.buygoogleadsaccount.com/google-ads-verification/ phase with their help allowed me to focus on my keywords instead of worrying about my ID being rejected. In my opinion, starting with a verified account from a professional source is much more stable for a beginner. It gives you a clean slate and much higher trust from the automated bidding system from day one. If you want to skip the hassle, you can start your work immediately without any technical delays or the fear of a sudden suspension before you even get your first click.