[5-Step Guide] How To Set Up Google AdSense On Your Website Or Blog

So if you follow my blog, you’ll notice that the website now includes ads, specifically Google AdSense ads.

There’s a story behind this.

It all started with a sudden email: my Google AdSense account was about to be reset due to inactivity.

Well, there are some earnings inside from my university days (what a long time ago hahaha). So I don’t really want it to be reset. Hence, I decided to add it to my blog so that I can reach the minimum threshold to withdraw my earnings.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up Google AdSense. But before we jump in, let’s start with the basic question: What is Google AdSense?

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Google AdSense

Used by 2 million people, Google AdSense is an ad network where you monetize your website traffic by showing ads.

• Earn money from your site: Millions of advertisers compete for your ad space so you earn more money
• Ads optimized for mobile: Google optimizes the size of your ad units to automatically fit desktop or mobile so there’s more chance they’ll be seen & clicked
• Save time: Add one piece of code to your site & Google will automatically show ads tailored to your site’s layout, saving you time making changes to ad code

Choosing the specific ad network of Google AdSense has benefits too. Firstly, only the highest paying ads go live. This way, you’ll boost your revenue by tapping into the largest network of online advertisers who bid for your ad space. Secondly, you get to be in control. You can block ads you don’t like, customize where ads appear and choose which types fit your site best.

And all this is done by simply adding one piece of code to your site. Google will take care of the rest so you can focus on growing your business.

To succeed, do ensure that your website has interesting and original content that draws visitors to see your ads. The content needs to be created from scratch, meaning that you’re the owner. Also, do ensure that the website complies with the AdSense program policies.

1. Create Your Google AdSense Account

The first thing you need to do is sign up for Google AdSense.

You can use your Google account if you already have one. If not, create a Google account to sign up for AdSense.

Next, enter the URL of the website that you want to show ads on. You can also choose to leave this field empty and add your site later.

Select your payment country or territory. Ensure that you select the country or territory where you currently live. Google will send a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by mail which will help you get paid in the future. Note that you won’t be able to change your country or territory later in AdSense.

Then, review and accept the AdSense terms and conditions.

And you can start using AdSense~

2. Activate Your AdSense Account

Enter Your Payments Information

State your full name exactly as it appears on your banking information. Provide the full postal address of your bank account, including the zip code, so you can get paid. Also, provide a valid phone number.

Google will send a small test deposit and you’ll have to enter the amount. Thus, do ensure that your banking information is correct.

In addition, Google will send you a Personal Identification Number (PIN) mailer to the payment address you provided. You’ll have to enter the PIN in the letter. Note that your ads will stop serving if you don’t use this PIN to verify your address within 4 months. You can request a new PIN 3 weeks after the last PIN was sent.

I made the mistake of not including my unit number and thus, had to request a new PIN 3 weeks later. So just ensure that you provide your full address.

Turn On Ads

I strongly recommend that you turn on Auto ads so that ads will appear on your website as soon as your account is activated.

Connect Your Site

Google will provide you with an AdSense code. Just copy the code exactly as it is and paste the code between the <head> and </head> tags of a page that contains content and gets regular traffic.

If you use Google Tag Manager, you can add AdSense code and fire it on all pages. I’m using Elegant Themes Divi, a WordPress theme, where I can go to Theme Options and paste the code in the Integration tab under the <head> section.

Also, here are some tips to get your site approved:

• Website is live & contains enough content (If the site is under construction, doesn’t load or is difficult to navigate, Google is unlikely to activate your account)
• Correct URL
• Complies with AdSense program policies

3. Wait For Your Site To Be Reviewed

Google will review your payments information as well as your entire site to check that it complies with the AdSense program policies. You’ll receive an email when your account is fully activated. This usually takes a few days but in some cases, it can take 2-4 weeks.

If Google can’t activate your account, they’ll send an email to explain why and what steps you can take to address the issues.

If your AdSense account is fully activated, you’re ready to start showing ads. Simply set up ads on your website and start earning money. If you’ve turned on Auto ads, ads will start to show on your site.

4. Adjust Google AdSense Settings

Do take some time to look through and adjust the settings.

Under Ads, click on Overview then click on the pencil icon of your site. The first tab is Ad Settings where you can choose which ad formats to include and exclude, the number of ads to show (ad load) and page exclusions. The second tab is Privacy Messages where you can include GDPR consent message and CCPA privacy message.

Next, go to Blocking Controls. Click on Content then All sites or specific site. This is where you can set content exclusions and block ads from certain advertisers.

Advertiser URLs is where you prevent ads from individual advertisers. Simply enter the URLs and you’ll block ads leading to these URLs from appearing on your website.

Sensitive Categories is where you manage the type of ads that appear on your site that are most suitable for your audience. You can block sensitive categories of ads from appearing on your site, such as

• Alcohol
• Get Rich Quick
• Sensationalism

General Categories is where you block more general groups of ads. I wouldn’t advise blocking these because it’ll harm your revenue. You can do this if you absolutely do not want ads from these generic categories to appear on your website. Here are some general categories:

• Apparel
• Beauty & Personal Care
• Finance
• Food & Groceries
• Jobs & Education
• Real Estate
• Travel & Tourism

5. Check Ad Review Center

Next, take a look at the Ad Review Center.

After running AdSense on your site for a while, you’ll be able to see the ads that appear on your site. You can choose to block specific ads if they don’t align with your brand.

Now It’s Your Turn

Setting up AdSense should be quite straightforward since Google provides clear instructions.

Hope this guide helps~ I wish you all the best!

Note that you can choose to hire professionals from Fiverr or Fiverr Pro to set up Google AdSense on your website or blog.