How to Transfer Google+ Ownership: A Comprehensive Guide

Google+ may be long gone as a dedicated social platform, but the underlying technology and principles relating to account ownership and transferring administrator privileges still apply to various Google services like Google My Business (now Google Business Profile), YouTube channels associated with Brand Accounts, and even Google Groups. Understanding how to transfer ownership and manage administrator roles is crucial for businesses and organizations. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, covering different scenarios and providing step-by-step instructions.

Why Transfer Google+ (or Related Service) Ownership?

Even though Google+ is defunct, the concept of transferring ownership or administrator rights persists within the Google ecosystem. Here are some common reasons why you might need to transfer ownership or administrative control:

* **Employee Departure:** When an employee responsible for managing a Google Business Profile, YouTube channel, or Google Group leaves the company, you need to transfer their administrative access to another team member to maintain control.
* **Business Restructuring:** During mergers, acquisitions, or internal restructuring, you may need to consolidate or redistribute ownership of various Google assets.
* **Change in Management:** If a new manager or team takes over responsibility for online marketing or community management, they’ll need the appropriate access rights.
* **Account Recovery:** In rare cases, if the original owner is unavailable or unable to access the account, transferring ownership might be necessary for recovery and continued management.
* **Retirement/Succession Planning:** To ensure the continued operation of a business, transferring ownership to a successor is a crucial step in long-term planning.

Understanding the Different Google Services and Associated Accounts

Before diving into the transfer process, it’s important to distinguish between different Google services and the types of accounts associated with them. This will help you understand the specific steps required for each scenario.

* **Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business):** This service allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. A Google Business Profile is typically associated with a Google Account. You can assign multiple users with different access levels (Owner, Manager, Site Manager).
* **YouTube Channels:** YouTube channels can be linked to either a personal Google account or a Brand Account. Brand Accounts allow multiple users to manage a channel without sharing personal login information. Transferring a YouTube channel often involves transferring the Brand Account’s ownership.
* **Google Groups:** Google Groups are online forums where users can collaborate and communicate. Google Groups have owners and managers who control membership, permissions, and content. Transferring ownership involves assigning a new owner to the group.
* **Google Workspace (formerly G Suite):** This suite of tools provides businesses with professional email, cloud storage, and collaboration apps. Google Workspace accounts have administrators who manage users, settings, and security. Transferring ownership involves assigning a new super administrator.

Transferring Ownership of a Google Business Profile

This is arguably one of the most common scenarios. Here’s how to transfer primary ownership of a Google Business Profile:

**Prerequisites:**

* **Both parties must have Google Accounts:** The current owner and the new owner must have active Google accounts.
* **New owner must be a manager or site manager:** The person you want to transfer ownership to must already be added as a manager or site manager to the Google Business Profile for at least 7 days. This is a security measure implemented by Google.

**Steps:**

1. **Sign in to Google Business Profile Manager:** Go to [https://www.google.com/business/](https://www.google.com/business/) and sign in with the account that currently owns the Google Business Profile.
2. **Select the Business Profile:** If you manage multiple profiles, choose the one you want to transfer.
3. **Go to ‘Users’:** In the left-hand menu, click on “Users”.
4. **Find the User:** Locate the user you want to make the primary owner. They must already have “Manager” or “Site Manager” permissions.
5. **Change Role to ‘Primary Owner’:** Click the three dots (ellipsis) next to the user’s name. Select “Primary Owner”.
6. **Accept the Transfer (by the new owner):** The intended new owner will receive an email notification. They must click the link in the email and accept the transfer. They will need to sign in with *their* Google account.
7. **Confirmation:** Once the new owner accepts, the original owner will receive a confirmation notification. The original owner’s role will be downgraded to “Manager”. If the original owner no longer needs access, they can then remove themselves from the profile.

**Important Considerations for Google Business Profile Transfers:**

* **7-Day Waiting Period:** The new owner must be a manager or site manager for at least 7 days before they can be promoted to primary owner. This is a key security feature to prevent unauthorized transfers.
* **Email Notifications:** Pay close attention to email notifications, as they contain crucial links and instructions for accepting the transfer.
* **Downgrade of Original Owner:** The original owner’s role will automatically be downgraded. They must manually remove themselves if desired.
* **Impact on Reviews:** Transferring ownership typically does *not* impact existing reviews or other profile data. However, it’s always a good idea to back up important information before making any significant changes.

Transferring Ownership of a YouTube Channel (Brand Account)

If your YouTube channel is linked to a Brand Account (recommended for businesses), transferring ownership involves transferring ownership of the Brand Account.

**Prerequisites:**

* **Channel Must Be Linked to a Brand Account:** Verify that your YouTube channel is connected to a Brand Account. You can check this in your YouTube settings.
* **New Owner Must Be a Manager:** The person you want to transfer ownership to must already be added as a manager to the Brand Account for at least 7 days.

**Steps:**

1. **Sign in to YouTube Studio:** Go to [https://studio.youtube.com/](https://studio.youtube.com/) and sign in with the account that owns the Brand Account associated with the YouTube channel.
2. **Go to Settings:** In the left-hand menu, click on “Settings”.
3. **Go to Permissions:** In the Settings menu, click on “Permissions”.
4. **Manage Permissions:** Click on “Manage Permissions”. This will take you to the Brand Account settings.
5. **Manage Permissions Again (Brand Account):** You will likely need to re-authenticate your Google account to proceed. Then, click on “Manage Permissions” again.
6. **Choose a Role:** Find the person you want to make the owner. If they are already a manager, you can select “Owner” from the dropdown menu.
7. **Transfer Ownership:** Next to the user’s name, you will see a dropdown. If they’re a manager already, you can select the “Primary Owner” role from there. Note, you can’t directly assign a user as a primary owner – they *must* be a manager for at least 7 days first.
8. **Accept the Invitation (by the new owner):** The intended new owner will receive an email notification inviting them to become the primary owner. They must accept this invitation.
9. **Accepting the Transfer**: The invitee must open the invitation email and click the link to accept. They’ll need to confirm by signing in with their Google account and following the prompts.
10. **Wait 7 Days**: Google requires a waiting period of 7 days after the new user accepts the ownership invitation.
11. **Complete the Transfer (by the original owner):** After the 7-day waiting period, the original owner must return to the Brand Account settings and finalize the transfer. After that, you will be able to choose the new owner from the manager’s list. This step formally transfers the ownership. Select “Transfer” to finalize ownership.
12. **Confirmation**: Once the transfer is complete, the new owner will have full control of the Brand Account and the associated YouTube channel.

**Important Considerations for YouTube Channel Transfers:**

* **Brand Account is Key:** The key to transferring a YouTube channel is managing the associated Brand Account. Make sure the channel is linked to a Brand Account before attempting to transfer ownership.
* **7-Day Waiting Period:** As with Google Business Profiles, there’s a 7-day waiting period before a manager can be promoted to owner.
* **Email Notifications:** Pay close attention to email notifications, as they contain crucial links and instructions.
* **Permissions:** Familiarize yourself with the different permission levels (Manager, Editor, Viewer) within Brand Accounts to ensure the right people have the appropriate access.
* ** Impact on Channel Content:** Transferring ownership typically does *not* impact existing videos, playlists, or other channel content.

## Transferring Ownership of a Google Group

Google Groups provide a platform for online discussions and collaboration. Transferring ownership involves assigning a new owner to the group.

**Prerequisites:**

* **You Must Be the Current Owner:** You must be the current owner of the Google Group to transfer ownership.
* **The New Owner Must Be a Member:** The person you want to make the owner must already be a member of the Google Group.

**Steps:**

1. **Sign in to Google Groups:** Go to [https://groups.google.com/](https://groups.google.com/) and sign in with the account that owns the Google Group.
2. **Select the Group:** Choose the Google Group you want to manage.
3. **Go to Group Settings:** In the left-hand menu (usually accessible via a gear icon), look for “Group settings”.
4. **Go to Members:** Find the section related to “Members” or “Member management”. This may be listed under “People” or “Manage”.
5. **Find the Member:** Locate the member you want to make the owner.
6. **Change Role to ‘Owner’:** Click the three dots (ellipsis) next to the member’s name. Select “Make owner”.
7. **Confirmation:** Google will prompt you to confirm the transfer. Click “OK” to proceed.
8. **New Owner Confirmation**: The new owner will receive an email notifying them of the ownership change. They do not need to take any specific action to accept the transfer (unlike Google Business Profile or Brand Account transfers).

**Important Considerations for Google Group Transfers:**

* **Membership Requirement:** The new owner must already be a member of the group.
* **Immediate Transfer:** Unlike Google Business Profile and YouTube channels, the transfer of Google Group ownership is typically immediate.
* **Notification:** The new owner will receive an email notification, but they don’t need to actively accept the transfer.
* **Role of the Previous Owner:** The original owner will typically remain a member of the group with the role of “Manager” after the transfer. They can choose to leave the group if desired.

Transferring Ownership of a Google Workspace Account (Super Admin Role)

Transferring the super administrator role in a Google Workspace account is a critical process that requires careful planning and execution. The super administrator has the highest level of access and control over the entire Google Workspace environment.

**Prerequisites:**

* **You Must Be a Super Administrator:** You must be a current super administrator to transfer the role to another user.
* **The New Super Administrator Must Be a User in the Organization:** The person you want to make the super administrator must already be a user within your Google Workspace organization.
* **The New Super Administrator Must Have a Standard User License:** The intended new super admin cannot be on a restricted type of user license.

**Steps:**

1. **Sign in to the Google Admin Console:** Go to [https://admin.google.com/](https://admin.google.com/) and sign in with your super administrator account.
2. **Go to Users:** In the Admin Console, click on “Users”.
3. **Find the User:** Locate the user you want to make the super administrator.
4. **Open the User’s Account Page:** Click on the user’s name to open their account page.
5. **Admin Roles and Privileges:** Click on “Admin roles and privileges”.
6. **Activate the Super Admin Role:** Toggle the “Super Admin” role to the “On” position.
7. **Verify Account Recovery Information (Important):** Before assigning the super admin role, ensure the user has properly configured their account recovery information (e.g., recovery email address, phone number). This is crucial for regaining access to the account if the user forgets their password or encounters other login issues.
8. **Confirmation:** Google will prompt you to confirm the transfer. Carefully review the implications of granting super administrator privileges before proceeding.
9. **Make Super Admin:** Click “Update User” to save the changes. The user now has super administrator privileges.
10. **Revoke Your Own Super Admin Privileges (Optional but Recommended):** After successfully transferring the role, it’s generally recommended that you revoke your own super administrator privileges to limit the number of users with unrestricted access. You can do this by following the same steps and toggling the “Super Admin” role to the “Off” position for your account.

**Important Considerations for Google Workspace Super Admin Transfers:**

* **Security Implications:** Granting super administrator privileges gives the user unrestricted access to all Google Workspace data and settings. Exercise extreme caution when assigning this role.
* **Account Recovery is Critical:** Ensure the new super administrator has properly configured account recovery information before transferring the role.
* **Principle of Least Privilege:** Follow the principle of least privilege by granting only the necessary permissions to users. Avoid giving super administrator access to more users than absolutely required.
* **Documentation:** Document the transfer of super administrator privileges and the rationale behind the decision.
* **Regular Audits:** Conduct regular audits of user roles and permissions to ensure they are still appropriate.
* **Communicate the Changes**: Inform the new Super Admin of their responsibilities and the importance of protecting the Google Workspace environment.

Troubleshooting Common Transfer Issues

Even with careful planning, you might encounter some issues during the transfer process. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

* **User Not Found:** Ensure the user you’re trying to assign the role to has an active Google account and is properly added to the relevant service (e.g., Google Business Profile, Brand Account, Google Group).
* **Insufficient Permissions:** Verify that you have the necessary permissions to perform the transfer. You typically need to be the current owner or a super administrator.
* **Email Not Received:** Check the spam or junk folder of the intended recipient’s email account. The email notifications from Google might be misclassified.
* **Link Expired:** The links in the email notifications might expire after a certain period. If this happens, you’ll need to initiate the transfer process again.
* **7-Day Waiting Period:** Remember the 7-day waiting period for Google Business Profile and YouTube channel transfers. The option to promote a manager to owner won’t be available until the waiting period has elapsed.
* **Account Restrictions:** The user’s account might have restrictions that prevent them from being assigned the desired role. Check the account settings and ensure there are no conflicting policies or permissions.
* **Incorrect Account Login**: Ensure you are logged into the correct Google account that has the permissions to make the transfer. A common mistake is being logged into a personal account when needing to use a work account.

Best Practices for Managing Google Account Ownership

To avoid confusion and ensure smooth transitions, follow these best practices for managing Google account ownership:

* **Use Brand Accounts:** For business-related YouTube channels, always use Brand Accounts instead of personal Google accounts. This allows multiple users to manage the channel without sharing personal login information.
* **Document Ownership:** Maintain a clear record of who owns and manages different Google assets. This will help you keep track of responsibilities and facilitate transfers when needed.
* **Regularly Review Permissions:** Periodically review user roles and permissions to ensure they are still appropriate. Remove unnecessary access to minimize security risks.
* **Implement Strong Security Measures:** Enforce strong password policies, enable two-factor authentication, and educate users about phishing and other security threats.
* **Have a Backup Plan:** In case the primary owner is unavailable, designate a backup owner or administrator who can take over if necessary.
* **Train Staff:** Educate staff on the procedures for transferring ownership and managing Google accounts. This will help ensure consistency and prevent errors.
* **Consider a Password Manager:** For shared accounts where multiple people need access (discouraged where possible, but sometimes unavoidable), use a reputable password manager to securely share login credentials.

Conclusion

Transferring ownership and managing administrator roles within the Google ecosystem is a critical task for businesses and organizations. By understanding the different Google services, following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this guide, and adhering to best practices, you can ensure a smooth and secure transition of responsibilities. Remember to prioritize security, document ownership, and regularly review permissions to maintain control of your valuable Google assets. Although the Google+ platform no longer exists, these strategies are vital when handling all Google services associated with business and organizational accounts. This comprehensive guide offers a good place to start, but always consult the official Google support documentation for the latest information and features.