Platforms

A platform in AccessHive represents a marketing tool – such as Google Analytics 4, Meta, or Shopify – that your team accesses through managed identities. Each platform defines which identity types it supports and what authentication setup is needed. Understanding how platforms work helps you connect the right tools and choose the right identity type when creating identities.

How platforms work

Every platform has a configuration (called a manifest) that tells AccessHive two things:

  1. Which identity types are supported – For example, a platform might support Shared Credentials and Service Accounts but not API Keys.
  2. What authentication infrastructure is needed – Some platforms require a Google Workspace (GWS) connection, while others only need the credentials you provide.

When you create an identity, AccessHive checks the platform’s configuration to make sure the identity type is compatible. If a platform does not support the type you selected, the system shows an error.

Platform categories

Platforms fall into three categories based on their authentication requirements.

Google Workspace-required platforms

Platforms like Google Analytics 4, Google Ads, and Google Search Console require a connected Google Workspace identity source.

  • Human Interactive and managed Shared Credential identities get a Google Workspace domain user created automatically.
  • Service Account, API Key, and OAuth App identities skip Google Workspace entirely – they carry their own credentials.
  • Your Google Workspace identity source must be connected and in provisioning mode before you can create managed identities on these platforms. See Google Workspace Setup.

Mixed platforms

Platforms like Meta and Shopify support both Google Workspace-backed and credentials-only authentication.

  • Human Interactive identities use Google Workspace when it is connected.
  • Shared Credentials on mixed platforms always use credentials-only mode – the system does not create a Google Workspace user, even when Google Workspace is connected.
  • All other identity types (Service Account, API Key, OAuth App) work with credentials only.

Credentials-only platforms

Platforms like Magento, Klaviyo, Salesforce, and BigCommerce do not need any identity provider connection.

  • You supply the credentials directly and the system stores them in the credential vault.
  • All identity types are available immediately after creation – no background setup required.

Platform readiness

Before you can create identities on a platform, it must be in the right state. You can check platform status under Settings > Platforms.

State What it means
Operational Connected and ready to create identities
Not Connected No connection established yet – connect the platform first
Action Required The connection token has expired and needs to be refreshed
Disabled An admin has manually disabled this platform
Scope restrictions for API Key and OAuth App

API Key and OAuth App identities are always tied to a single platform. The agency-wide scope option is not available for these types.

Supported identity types by category

Identity type GWS-required platforms Mixed platforms Credentials-only platforms
Human Interactive Yes (via SSO) Yes (via SSO when GWS connected) No
Shared Credential (managed) Yes No – uses credentials-only mode No – uses credentials-only mode
Shared Credential (external) Yes Yes Yes
Service Account Yes Yes Yes
API Key Yes Yes Yes
OAuth App Yes Yes Yes
Choosing the right platform setup

If your team works primarily with Google platforms, connect your Google Workspace identity source first – this unlocks managed Shared Credentials with automatic password rotation. For non-Google platforms, you can start creating identities right away using external credentials.

  • Connect a platform – Set up and verify a platform connection. See Platform Connections.
  • Identity types – Understand the five identity types and when to use each one. See Identity Types.
  • Google Workspace setup – Connect and configure your Google Workspace identity source. See Google Workspace Setup.
  • Create an identity – Walk through the identity creation wizard. See Creating Identities.