Starting a blog is fun but it’s even more fun when you start earning from it. Learning how to set up Google AdSense for your blog will help you make money by showing ads to your readers.
Google AdSense is a platform that puts ads on your blog and each time your visitors click or view the ads you earn money. But getting your blog ready for AdSense is more than just signing up.
I remember when I started my blog in 2015. I made many mistakes but I learned in the process. I got my first Google AdSense account in 4 days of applying.
You may have heard how blog publishers make money online through Google AdSense and you want to know how it’s done right?
Don’t worry; I packed my long time experience to share with you. This guide will be your Google AdSense account setup guide, I will detail the steps to activate Google AdSense successfully.
One thing you must understand is originality is king. User experience is key and meeting the searches of end users is important.
When monetizing your blog with AdSense, write your articles from scratch; don’t copy others work or images.
Follow Google AdSense best practices and you’ll also find AdSense tips for new bloggers.
If you must use any images online, please reference the owner. That’s someone’s intellectual property and hijacking it can lead to penalties or lawsuits.
How to Set Up Google AdSense for Your Blog
Step 1: Meet Google AdSense Requirements
Google has some rules that every blog must follow to join the AdSense program. Follow these rules and you’ll increase your chances of getting approved. Here are the steps:
- Age Limit: You must be at least 18 years old. If you’re younger, a parent or guardian can apply for you on your behalf.
- Unique Content: Your blog must have original content. Don’t copy others content, this can lead to rejection.
- Key Pages: You must have a Privacy Policy, About Page and Contact Page. Google likes blogs that have these pages.
- Blog Traffic: Google doesn’t have a specific number of visitors but having some traffic will help.
- Clean Layout: Make sure your site is well organized. No broken links or missing images.
Follow these and you’re good to go for Google AdSense approval.
Step 2: Create a Google AdSense Account
Once you’re sure your blog is eligible, follow these steps to create your AdSense account:
- Visit the AdSense Website: Go to the official Google AdSense page. Look for the “Sign Up” button and click on it to start.
- Log in with Your Google Account: Use your existing Gmail account to log in. If you don’t have one, you can create a new Google account in seconds.
- Enter Your Blog URL: Enter the exact link to your blog. Make sure to double check for any typo, an incorrect URL can cause issue with your application.
- Select Your Blog’s Language: Choose the language you use on your site. This will help Google show the right ads to your audience.
- Submit: Click submit. After submitting, you will get a code to paste on your blog, which is required to link your site to AdSense.
This is the first step in how to set up Google AdSense for your blog. Be careful with your application to avoid waiting.
Step 3: Add AdSense Code to Your Blog
After creating your AdSense account, Google will give you a unique code. You need to paste this code on your blog to complete the setup. This code allows Google to review your site and verify that it’s ready for ads. Follow these steps to add the code:
1. Copy the Code: Log in to your AdSense account. Find the HTML code and copy it. Make sure you copy the whole code without missing any part.
2. Add Code to Your Blog:
- If you are using WordPress, go to the “Appearance” and click on “Editor.” Here you can add the code in the header or widget area where needed.
- If you are using other blogging platforms, go to the theme editor and add the code in the right place.
3. Test the Code: After adding the code, make sure it’s working. You can check this by viewing your blog’s source code. Right click on the page and select “View Page Source” to see if the code is there.
Adding this code is part of the AdSense activation process. Google will use this code to verify your site is ready to show ads.
Step 4: Wait for Google’s Approval
Google’s approval process for your AdSense account can take 48 hours to 2 weeks. During this period, do not make any major changes to your site. Here are some important tips to help you get approved:
- Follow AdSense Rules: One of the biggest mistake you can do is to click on your own ads. Don’t do that and don’t ask others to click for you either. This can lead to your account being banned.
- Prohibited Content: Make sure your site doesn’t have illegal or adult content. Google wants to make sure your blog is safe for all audiences.
- Organic Traffic: During the approval process, do not use paid ads to drive traffic to your site. Google prefers organic traffic as it means your content is actually attracting visitors.
If approved, you will receive an email. If not, they will give you the reasons so you can fix the issues and reapply. Follow these tips to align with Google AdSense best practices.
Step 5: Verify Your Identity and Payment Info
Once your AdSense account is approved you need to verify your identity and payment details to receive your earnings. Google does this to ensure secure transactions and protect your info. Here’s what you need to do:
- Identity Verification: Google may ask you to provide a government issued ID, like a driver’s license or passport. This is to confirm you are who you say you are.
- Add Payment Info: Next you need to add your bank account details in the AdSense dashboard. Make sure to double check everything to avoid any mistakes. This info is super important to get paid.
- Enter the PIN: When you reach $10 Google will send a PIN to your registered address. Once you receive it, enter this PIN in your AdSense account to complete the verification process.
These steps are super important because they ensure your AdSense earnings get deposited into your bank account. Once you complete these verifications you are ready to start making money by monetizing your blog with AdSense!
Step 6: Optimize Ad Placement on Your Blog
How and where you place ads on your blog can make a big difference. Here’s how:
- Use Responsive Ads: Choose responsive ads that adjust to the screen size of both mobile and desktop users. This way your ads look good and are easy to click on regardless of the device.
- Place Ads Above the Fold: Ads above the fold usually get the most views. This is where visitors look first when they open your blog so placing ads here can increase visibility.
- Try Different Layouts: Experiment with different ad sizes and locations to see what works for your audience. You might find some layouts get more clicks than others.
- Don’t Overdo It: Don’t overwhelm your visitors with too many ads. Too many can annoy them and reduce the time they spend on your blog.
By doing this you’ll make more money and keep your blog user friendly.
Step 7: Monitor Your AdSense
Once ads are showing on your blog, you need to monitor how they’re performing. Google AdSense gives you several metrics to help you track your earnings:
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): This shows the percentage of visitors who clicked on an ad. A higher CTR means your ads are appealing to your audience and can lead to more money.
- Cost-Per-Click (CPC): This is how much you earn per ad click. Knowing your CPC helps you know the value of your ads and how they contribute to your total income.
- Revenue Per Thousand Impressions (RPM): This shows your earnings per 1,000 views on your blog. It helps you know how well your ads are performing in terms of visibility and engagement.
Check these regularly because it helps you know what’s working and what needs to be improved. By looking at these stats you can make informed decisions to move your ads around and increase your earnings over time.
Step 8: AdSense Policies
Google’s rules are strict and if you break them, your account can get banned. Stay updated with AdSense policies. Here are some key rules:
- Do Not Click Your Own Ads: Google can detect invalid clicks and it can lead to account suspension.
- Keep Content Original: Don’t publish copyrighted material or duplicate content.
- Maintain Site Quality: Fix broken links, make sure your site loads fast and keep your blog organized.
I’m telling you for free, if you follow these policies, your AdSense account will remain active and your income stream will be problem free.
Conclusion
Setting up Google AdSense for your blog is one of the simplest way to monetize your content and earn passive income. Now that you’ve followed this complete Google AdSense account setup guide, you know how to activate Google AdSense and start earning. Make sure your blog meets the requirements, add the AdSense code and optimize your ad placements for maximum results.
Monetizing your blog with AdSense takes some work, but with the right strategies you can turn your blog into a money maker. Be patient with the approval process, follow AdSense tips for new bloggers and monitor your performance regularly. Now that you know how to set up Google AdSense for your blog, go ahead and apply these steps and start earning from your content!
