  A detailed analysis of the structure and gauge dependence of the bulk-to-bulk
propagators for the higher spin gauge fields in $AdS$ space is performed. The
possible freedom in the construction of the propagators is investigated and
fixed by the correct boundary behaviour and correspondence to the
representation theory results for the $AdS$ space isometry group. The classical
origin of the Goldstone mode and its connection with the gauge fixing procedure
is considered.
