As a beginner blogger looking to monetize your blog, Google AdSense is the top ad network to consider. Many new bloggers aspire to use AdSense but struggle due to its strict policies.
The good news is that by following some basic guidelines and treating your blog like a real business from the outset, you can secure AdSense approval, even with a new blog.
In this post, I’ll share essential AdSense approval tips and the 7 key steps you must take before applying for Google AdSense.
How Much Traffic Is Needed for AdSense Approval?
While there is no specific traffic requirement for AdSense approval, having good traffic does matter. Although Google does not use traffic as a direct factor for approval, in my experience, it helps. Without adequate traffic, it’s hard to make money from AdSense.
If you’re just starting out, I recommend using Pinterest to drive targeted traffic and focusing on SEO to gain organic traffic from Google.
Essential Steps Before Applying for Google AdSense
- Create High-Quality Content
Don’t plagiarize content—write unique, valuable, and engaging posts for your target audience. Ensure your posts are well-researched and over 500-600 words in length. Avoid writing content that violates AdSense policies, and focus on producing high-quality articles before applying. - Make Your Blog Posts SEO-Friendly
Optimize your blog content with meta titles and descriptions. Google AdSense uses crawler bots to review your site, so optimizing your blog posts for search engines helps improve your ranking and visibility. If you’re on WordPress, install the free Yoast SEO plugin for easy optimization. - Publish Enough Posts
While I received AdSense approval with just seven high-quality posts, I recommend aiming for 10-15 posts before applying to ensure your blog is well-rounded with sufficient content. - Create Essential Pages
Ensure your blog includes key pages such as an About, Privacy Policy, and Contact pages. A privacy policy is required by law if you collect user information, and it’s necessary for AdSense approval. Feel free to use templates or modify someone else’s privacy policy for your needs. - Confirm You’re 18+
AdSense only accepts applications from those over 18. If you’re underage, you can ask a parent or guardian to apply using their details. - Avoid Copyrighted Images
AdSense doesn’t approve blogs using copyrighted content without permission. Ensure you use royalty-free images or get permission from the image owner to avoid issues. - Design a User-Friendly, Professional Blog
Your blog should have a professional and easy-to-navigate design. A responsive, user-friendly site improves user experience and makes your blog more appealing to both visitors and Google. WordPress themes can help you create a sleek, professional design. - Create a Brand Identity and Set Up Social Media Accounts
Treat your blog like a business. Develop a logo and brand assets, and set up social media accounts on platforms like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This adds credibility and shows your blog is an authentic brand.
Applying for Google AdSense
Once you’ve set up your blog following these steps, you can apply for AdSense. Visit the Google AdSense sign-up page, enter your website and contact details, and submit your application. Ensure your name, address, and payee information are accurate.
Google AdSense Approval Process
After applying, you’ll need to add AdSense code to your blog. If you’re using WordPress, you can install the ‘Site Kit by Google’ plugin to set up AdSense. Ads will initially appear as blank spaces until AdSense completes its review. This process may take 1-2 weeks.
Once approved, you’ll receive an email confirming that your site is ready to display AdSense ads. At this point, you can start earning money as ads begin to appear on your site.
When your earnings reach $10, AdSense will send a PIN to your address for verification. Once verified, you’ll be able to receive payments. After your earnings hit $100, AdSense will transfer the funds to your bank account.
Google AdSense Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to Google AdSense, consider PropellerAds or Media.net, which also offer good payouts and have a large network of advertisers. Additionally, you could try directly selling banner ad space, although this requires more effort, such as negotiating pricing and handling invoicing. Using a plugin like Ad Inserter or AdSanity can simplify ad management on WordPress.
Affiliate marketing and sponsorships are also great ways to monetize your blog alongside AdSense.
