I can’t delete a duplicate account (identical copy of the main one) and Google continues to ask me to confirm my identity every day for months at every single interaction.

Managing Duplicate Google Accounts and Persistent Identity Verification Issues: A User’s Experience and Potential Solutions

Introduction

Many users rely heavily on their Google accounts for various online activities, from email correspondence to social media and content consumption. Sometimes, account management challenges arise, particularly when dealing with duplicate accounts and associated verification processes. This article explores a typical user scenario involving duplicate account deletion struggles and ongoing identity confirmation prompts, and offers insights into potential resolutions.

Case Overview

A user created multiple Gmail accounts primarily for registering on sites or services perceived as spam sources. Over time, they aimed to clean up their digital footprint by deleting these auxiliary accounts. They successfully removed most of them but encountered a complication with the last remaining account, which, despite having different credentials, appeared linked or synchronized with their primary Google profile.

The Issue

When attempting to delete this final duplicate account, the user observed an alarming pattern: deleting the account resulted in the loss of all associated data—photos, contacts, emails, and other linked information. This synchronization suggested a deep link between the account and the main profile, complicating deletion.

Beyond deletion difficulties, the user experienced a persistent problem: for the past four months, every time they logged into Google services such as Chrome or YouTube, they faced daily identity verification requests. Initially, this caused concern over potential account breaches. After resetting passwords and disconnecting synchronized devices and apps, the problem persisted. The continuous prompts severely impacted usability, preventing timely reading of emails and messages due to verification delays.

Potential Causes

Such issues often stem from:

• Duplicate or linked accounts with complex synchronization settings.
• Security measures designed to confirm user identity after account restructuring.
• Changes in account activity or recovery options that trigger repeated verification prompts.
• Sensitive data association across linked profiles.

Recommendations for Resolution

If you encounter similar challenges, consider the following steps:

1. Verify Account Links and Settings:
   Check Google Account settings to identify account connections or linked profiles. Remove or adjust connections that are no longer relevant.

2. Use Google’s Account Recovery and Security Tools:
   Navigate to Google’s Security Checkup and Account Recovery pages to ensure your account settings are optimal and secure.

3. Clear Browser Data and Cookies:
   Sometimes, cache and cookies can interfere with authentication processes. Clearing them might reduce verification loops.

4. Disable Two-Factor Authentication Temporarily:
   If enabled, temporarily disable 2FA, then attempt to verify and re-enable it afterward, being cautious to maintain security.