Hi, Thank you for contacting the Google Ads API support team.
Please find answers to your queries below: 1. Is this error caused by using a **test-mode Developer Token** with a **real user account**? Answer: The OPERATION_NOT_PERMITTED_FOR_CONTEXT error indicates that the operation is not allowed for the given context. Using a developer token with test access level for a production account should result in DEVELOPER_TOKEN_NOT_APPROVED error. But, as per the error you have encountered, it seems to be more related to the operation you are performing. In order to verify that the operation you are performing is a valid operation or not, we will need to check the complete API logs (request and response with request-id and request header) generated at your end without redacting any information. If you are not able to provide the complete API logs, try to at least provide a request ID for it. If you are using a client library and haven't enabled the logging yet, I would request you to enable logging for the specific client library that you are using. You can refer to the guides Java, .Net, PHP, Python, Ruby or Perl to enable logging at your end. For REST interface requests, you can enable logging via the curl command by using the -i flag. 2. Do I **need a production-approved Developer Token** to create Performance Max campaigns on real user accounts via OAuth? Answer: Yes, your understanding is correct. In order to make API calls to the production accounts, you will need a developer token with either ‘Basic Access’ or ‘Standard Access’. The access level controls the number of API calls you can make per day with the token, as well as the environment to which you can make calls. Please refer to this document for more information and to understand how to apply for each access level and their permissible use. In addition to it, you may refer to the Obtain a developer token document for more information. 3. Can I only use the test token with **test accounts** (those with the red "test account" banner)? Answer: Yes, your understanding is correct. As per the Access Levels section, a developer token with access level as ‘Test account access’ can only access test accounts. 4. Does the real user account require specific permissions or settings to allow campaign creation? Answer: For campaign creation in a production account using Google Ads API, you just need to follow the prerequisites for using Google Ads API, have a developer token with appropriate access level and should follow the CampaignOperation document in order to know the required fields for campaign creation. 5. Is there any workaround to test the full campaign creation flow (including asset groups and conversion actions) without production token access? Answer: If you are aiming to manage conversion actions and asset groups in your production account, you need to have a developer token with either Basic or Standard access. I understand that you are using version v18 of Google Ads API. Please note that the 'v18' is deprecated and is about to sunset in August, 2025. After this date, all v18 API requests will begin to fail. I would suggest you upgrade to the latest version, 'v21', as soon as possible to benefit from new features. You may refer to this documentation on deprecation and sunset for more information regarding the specific deprecation and sunset dates for each available version. Also, I understand that you are using NodeJS client library for using Google Ads API. Please be informed that as per this documentation, we don't test, contribute to or maintain these libraries. You may use them at your own risk. Any questions you may have should be directed to the owners of the open source projects. You can send the details via Reply privately to the author option, or direct private reply to this email. Thanks, Google Ads API Team Feedback How was our support today? [2025-08-07 04:51:46Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01syNeX:ref" (ADR-00329029) -- -- =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ Also find us on our blog: https://googleadsdeveloper.blogspot.com/ =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AdWords API and Google Ads API Forum" group. To post to this group, send email to adwords-api@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to adwords-api+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/adwords-api?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Ads API and AdWords API Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to adwords-api+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/adwords-api/yV6eb000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000T0LXIA00TNJ4qpj4SDK78BuduskSJQ%40sfdc.net.
