Learn how to locate your Google Ad Manager network code easily to set up and manage your ad inventory effectively.

🖋 By Meenakshi – AZAD Architects, Barnala

Where can I find my Google Ad Manager network code?

Your Google Ad Manager network code is a unique identifier that plays a crucial role in managing your ad inventory and configuring ad tags. Whether you are setting up new ad units or troubleshooting existing ones, knowing where to find this code is essential. 

In this blog, we will guide you step-by-step on how to locate your Google Ad Manager network code within your account dashboard.

What Is a Google Ad Manager Network Code?

Explanation of the network code’s purpose and significance in your GAM account:

• Unique Identifier: A Google Ad Manager (GAM) Network Code is a unique numeric ID assigned to every GAM account.

• Essential for Ad Tag Integration: It is used in ad tags (like GPT tags) to connect your site’s ad units with your specific GAM account.

• Found in URL & Admin Settings: You can locate your network code in the URL when logged into GAM (e.g., https://admanager.google.com/1234567/home) or in the Admin section under “Global settings”.

• Links Website to Ad Manager: When placing ad units or configuring ad inventory, this code ensures that the impressions and data are routed to your account correctly.

• Required for API Access: Developers need the network code to access GAM APIs for automating tasks or managing inventory.

• Security & Account Identity: It acts like an account fingerprint—keeping your ad configuration distinct from others.

• Used in Multiple GAM Functions: Whether you are setting up ad slots, line items, or creatives, the network code ties all data back to your specific account structure.

• Not Sensitive but Crucial: While not private or secret, it is crucial for accurate implementation of ads and campaigns.

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your Network Code

Detailed instructions on navigating the GAM interface to locate the code:

1. Sign in to Google Ad Manager

• Go to https://admanager.google.com
  

• Log in using your Google account credentials.
  

2. Check the URL in Your Browser

• After logging in, look at the URL in your browser’s address bar.
  

• It will look something like: https://admanager.google.com/1234567/home
  

• The number 1234567 is your Network Code.
  

3. Use the Admin Settings for Confirmation

• Click the gear icon (⚙️) or navigate to Admin > Global settings from the left-hand menu.
  

• You will see Network settings which includes your Network Code, Time zone, Currency, etc.
  

4. Alternative Location — Ad Tags or GPT Script

• If you have already implemented ad tags on your website, open the ad code.
  

• Look for a line like: googletag.pubads().setPublisherId('1234567');
  

• That publisher ID is the same as your network code.
  

5. Note the Format

• The network code is always numeric and typically 6 to 10 digits long.
  

• It does not contain letters or special characters.

Using Your Network Code for Ad Tag Setup

How and where to use the network code when generating and placing ad tags:

✅ 1. Understand the Role of the Network Code

• The network code ensures your ad requests are linked to the correct Google Ad Manager account.

• Without it, your ad tags will not deliver impressions or report data to your account.

🧾 2. Use It in GPT (Google Publisher Tag) Scripts

• When you generate ad tags via GAM, the code is embedded automatically in the script.

• Example:

<script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script>
<script>
  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};
  googletag.cmd.push(function() {
    googletag.defineSlot('/1234567/homepage-banner', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-123456789-0').addService(googletag.pubads());
    googletag.enableServices();
  });
</script>

🔎 /1234567/homepage-banner — the 1234567 is your network code.

🌐 3. Insert It While Generating Tags

• In GAM, go to:

📁 Inventory → Ad units → Select/Create an Ad Unit

➡️ Click Tags → Choose Google Publisher Tag (GPT)

➡️ The code generated will automatically include your network code in the slot path.

🧱 4. Place the Tag on Your Website

• Copy the entire GPT script and paste it into your website’s HTML where you want the ad to appear.

• Make sure the div id matches the ad unit ID in the script.

📌 5. Important Considerations

• ✅ Always use the correct network code to avoid misreporting or empty ad slots.

• ✅ For multiple sites under the same GAM account, the same network code is used.

• ✅ Do not edit or remove the code from the slot path unless you are customizing a complex tag.

Troubleshooting Common Issues Related to Network Codes

Tips on resolving problems like incorrect codes and mismatched ad units:

⚠️ 1. Incorrect Network Code in Ad Tags

• Symptom: Ads not rendering or blank ad slots.

• Solution:

• Double-check the ad tag’s slot path (e.g., /1234567/adunit-name) matches your actual network code.
  

• Use the correct code visible in your GAM URL or Admin > Global Settings.
  

🔁 2. Mismatch Between Ad Unit Names and Slot Paths

• Symptom: Error in console logs like “Slot not defined” or no ad call is made.

• Solution:

• Ensure the ad unit path in the script exactly matches what is created in GAM Inventory.
  

• Format should be: /network-code/parent-unit/child-unit if nested.
  

🧱 3. Wrong Network Code in GPT Library

• Symptom: Ads load incorrectly or do not report data in your account.

• Solution:

• Re-generate the ad tags using the "Generate Tags" option inside GAM to avoid manual error.
  

• Always verify that your network code appears in both the script and the slot path.
  

🧩 4. Multiple GAM Accounts – Wrong Account Used

• Symptom: Confusion when managing multiple websites or agencies with multiple GAM accounts.

• Solution:

• Make sure you are logged into the correct Google account tied to the correct GAM property.
  

• Verify the network code shown in the URL matches your intended site/project.
  

🧪 5. Testing with Incorrect Div IDs

• Symptom: No ad loads despite correct network code.

• Solution:

• Ensure the div id in your HTML matches the one declared in the ad tag script.
  

• Example: If script says 'div-gpt-ad-123456789-0', your HTML must contain
  

• <div id="div-gpt-ad-123456789-0"></div>
  

🧰 Bonus Tips:

• 🛠 Use browser developer tools to check for ad call errors in the console.

• 🧪 Test ad units in a staging environment before pushing to live.

• 🔁 Clear cache or use Incognito Mode when troubleshooting script changes.

📌 Thank you!

Follow Finance (AZAD Architects, Barnala) for practical tips from an architect, blogger, technical expert, and financer's lens.

Finance (Azad Architects, Barnala)