How do I monitor transactions made with my VCC on YouTube Ads?

To monitor transactions made with your Virtual Credit Card (VCC) on YouTube Ads (via Google Ads), you'll need to keep track of both the Google Ads billing history and the VCC provider's transaction history. Here's how you can stay on top of your spending:

1. Monitor Transactions in Google Ads (YouTube Ads)
Google Ads allows you to track your billing history and any transactions related to your campaigns. Here's how to access it:

Steps to Monitor Your Billing and Transaction History in Google Ads:
Log in to Your Google Ads Account

Go to Google Ads and log in with your account credentials.

Access the Billing & Payments Section

In the top-right corner of your Google Ads dashboard, click on the Tools & Settings icon (wrench).

Under the Billing section, select Billing & Payments.

View Billing History

On the left-hand menu, click on Transactions under the Billing & Payments section.

Here, you'll find a detailed list of all transactions, including charges to your VCC for ads on YouTube and other Google services.

You can filter the transactions by date range or campaign to review specific charges.

Check Payment Information

You can also review your payment method history under the Payment Methods section to see which payment methods were used for specific transactions.

This will help you confirm whether your VCC was used for any charges.

Export Billing History (Optional)

You can export your billing history to a spreadsheet for better tracking and analysis. Just click on the Export button at the top-right of the Transactions page.

Set Up Payment Alerts (Optional)

In Google Ads, you can set up payment alerts to notify you when payments are processed, giving you real-time updates on transactions.

2. Monitor Transactions in Your VCC Provider Account
You'll also need to monitor your VCC provider's account to track all charges made using the VCC. Most VCC providers, such as Revolut, Privacy.com, Wise, and Payoneer, offer real-time transaction tracking and alerts.

Steps to Monitor VCC Transactions:
Log in to Your VCC Provider's Account

Access your VCC provider's mobile app or website (e.g., Revolut, Wise, Privacy.com) where you manage your VCC.

Check Your Transaction History

Most VCC providers will have a Transaction History or Activity Feed section where you can see all payments made with the VCC.

Look for charges that match your Google Ads payments for YouTube Ads. The transaction should list Google or Google Ads as the merchant, along with the amount and the date.

Set Up Transaction Alerts

Many VCC providers offer real-time alerts when transactions are made. Enable notifications for every charge made with your VCC, especially for Google Ads transactions.

This allows you to monitor any unauthorized or unexpected charges immediately.

Monitor for Unauthorized Charges

If you notice any discrepancies or charges that don't match your YouTube Ads activities, contact your VCC provider immediately to report the issue and dispute any fraudulent transactions.

3. Set Up Budget and Spending Limits in Google Ads
To better control your spending, consider setting up a daily budget for your YouTube Ads campaigns and applying spending caps in Google Ads:

Steps to Set a Budget for Your YouTube Ads Campaign:
Go to Your Campaigns in Google Ads

From your Google Ads account, navigate to the Campaigns tab.

Edit Campaign Budget

Choose the campaign you want to monitor and click to edit.

Set a daily budget limit for the campaign to control how much you spend on ads.

Apply a Monthly Spend Limit

Google Ads allows you to set a monthly cap for your account. This can prevent overspending and help you track your usage over time.

Review Billing Statements Regularly

You can manually monitor your Google Ads billing statement every month to ensure your spending is within your set budget.

4. Review VCC-Specific Limits and Alerts
If your VCC provider allows it, you can set limits on your card to restrict spending, or apply alerts when a certain transaction threshold is exceeded. These can be very helpful for keeping your YouTube Ads budget under control.

Spending Limits: Set daily or monthly spending limits for your VCC to prevent overspending.

Transaction Alerts: Enable alerts for transactions above a certain amount to ensure you're notified when large payments are processed.

Summary of Steps to Monitor Your VCC Transactions on YouTube Ads
Check Google Ads Billing History to track all charges for YouTube Ads.

Monitor your VCC provider's transaction history to track payments to Google Ads.

Set up payment alerts and transaction limits in both Google Ads and your VCC provider's account.

Regularly review your Google Ads account and VCC statements to ensure everything aligns with your budget and expectations.

By following these steps, you'll be able to keep a close eye on your VCC transactions and ensure that your YouTube Ads spending stays within the desired limits.