Google AdSense is one of the most common ways bloggers start earning from display ads. It’s free to join, works with most blogging platforms and handles finding advertisers for you. But approval isn’t automatic, and earnings depend heavily on your traffic and niche. Here’s what to know before you apply.
How AdSense works
- You apply and add a small piece of code to your site.
- Google reviews your site.
- Once approved, Google shows ads on your pages from advertisers bidding to reach your readers.
- You earn a share of the revenue, mainly based on views and clicks.
What Google looks for
Google doesn’t publish an exact checklist, but its program policies and guidance point to a few clear themes:
- Original, valuable content: written for people, not copied or auto-generated filler.
- Enough content: a site with a handful of short posts may be considered too thin.
- Easy navigation: a clear menu, categories and working links.
- Transparency: About and Contact pages, and a privacy policy that mentions advertising cookies.
- Policy compliance: no prohibited content (for example, adult content, dangerous products, copyrighted material you don’t own).
- A working, accessible site: no “under construction” pages or broken sections.
Before you apply
- Publish a solid base of helpful posts in your niche.
- Check every page on mobile.
- Fix broken links and remove placeholder content.
- Make sure your privacy policy mentions Google and advertising cookies.
- Use your own domain if possible.
After approval: ads.txt
Google will ask you to add an ads.txt file to your site. It’s a small text file that declares which companies are authorized to sell ads on your domain. Your AdSense account shows the exact line to use. Many hosts and plugins make adding it easy.
Placing ads without ruining your blog
AdSense offers “Auto ads”, which places ads automatically, or manual placement. Whatever you choose:
- Limit ads above the first paragraph.
- Avoid ads that push content far down on mobile.
- Don’t place ads where they could be confused with navigation or downloads.
- Review your pages as a reader. If it feels cluttered, reduce ads.
Rules you must never break
- Never click your own ads or ask others to click them.
- Never use wording like “click the ads to support us”.
- Don’t place ads on pages with prohibited content.
- Don’t buy low-quality traffic to inflate views.
Violations can get your account suspended.
Realistic earnings
AdSense earnings vary widely depending on niche, audience location, season and how many people visit. New blogs with modest traffic typically earn small amounts. Ads become more meaningful as traffic grows, and many bloggers later move to premium ad networks with higher minimum traffic requirements. Read how much do bloggers really make?
If your application is rejected
- Read the reason given in your account.
- Add more original, helpful content.
- Improve navigation and remove thin or duplicate pages.
- Check your legal pages and site accessibility.
- Apply again after making real improvements.
FAQs
How many posts do I need for AdSense?
There’s no official number. What matters is that the site offers enough original, useful content to be valuable to visitors. Many bloggers wait until they have a few dozen quality posts.
Is AdSense worth it for a small blog?
It’s a simple way to start learning how ads work, but income will be modest at first. Combine it with other income streams. See how to make money blogging.