How to Safely Share Account Access with Your Editor or Manager

As your creator business grows, you need help. Editors, thumbnail designers, managers, and assistants all need some level of access to your accounts. But sharing access incorrectly creates massive security vulnerabilities.

This guide covers the right ways to share account access without putting your channels at risk.

The golden rule: Use platform permissions, not password sharing

Sharing your actual password should be the last resort. Most major platforms offer built-in permission systems that let you grant specific access without sharing login credentials:

• Your team member uses their own account
• You grant them specific permissions to your channel/page
• You can revoke access instantly without changing passwords
• Actions are logged and attributable to specific users
• Your login credentials remain secure

YouTube: Channel permissions

YouTube offers robust permission levels:

• Owner: Full access including transferring ownership (never give this to anyone except yourself)
• Manager: Can edit channel settings, upload videos, manage playlists -- but cannot delete the channel or remove the owner
• Editor: Can upload and edit videos, respond to comments, but cannot change channel settings
• Editor (Limited): Can edit videos, but cannot upload new ones
• Viewer: Can see analytics and revenue data, but cannot make changes

How to add: YouTube Studio > Settings > Permissions > Invite

Instagram: Professional account roles

Instagram (via Meta Business Suite) offers these roles:

• Admin: Full access to everything (use sparingly)
• Editor: Can create and publish content, respond to messages
• Moderator: Can respond to comments and messages
• Advertiser: Can create ads but not organic content
• Analyst: Can view insights only

How to add: Meta Business Suite > Settings > People

TikTok: Account managers

TikTok for Business offers:

• Admin: Full account access
• Operator: Can post content and manage comments

Note: TikTok's permission system is less granular than YouTube or Instagram. Be more cautious about who you add.

Twitter/X: TweetDeck teams

X Premium subscribers can add team members via TweetDeck:

• Admin: Full posting and account access
• Contributor: Can compose and schedule posts

When you must share passwords

Some situations require sharing actual login credentials. When this is unavoidable:

• Use a password manager with sharing features: 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane let you share credentials without revealing the actual password
• Never share via DM, email, or text: These can be intercepted, leaked, or accidentally forwarded
• Create a separate "team" password: For services without permission systems, create a password specifically for team access (different from your personal accounts)
• Change passwords when team members leave: Immediately update credentials when ending a working relationship

Vetting team members before granting access

Before giving anyone access to your accounts:

• Verify their identity: Video call, check their portfolio, verify previous work
• Start with limited access: Begin with the minimum permissions needed, expand later if warranted
• Use contracts: Written agreements about confidentiality, acceptable use, and termination
• Check their security: Ask if they use 2FA on their own accounts
• Test with non-critical access first: Before adding to main accounts, work together on less sensitive tasks

Offboarding: Revoking access properly

When a team member leaves (even on good terms):

• Remove platform permissions immediately: Do not wait -- do this the same day
• Change any shared passwords: Even if they were shared via password manager
• Revoke password manager sharing: Remove their access to any shared vaults
• Audit recent account activity: Check for any unauthorized changes
• Remove from team communication tools: Slack, Discord, shared drives
• Update API keys and tokens: If they had access to any integrations

Red flags when working with team members

Be cautious if someone:

• Asks for Owner-level access when they do not need it
• Resists using official permission systems
• Wants passwords sent via insecure channels
• Does not have 2FA on their own accounts
• Cannot provide verifiable references or portfolio
• Pressures you to skip normal vetting processes

Your team access security checklist

• Use platform-native permissions instead of password sharing when possible
• Grant minimum necessary access -- start limited, expand as needed
• If sharing passwords, use a password manager with sharing features
• Never share credentials via email, DM, or text
• Vet team members before granting access
• Document who has access to what
• Revoke access immediately when team members leave
• Change shared passwords after team changes
• Audit account activity regularly