Getting Started with Google AdSense

Google AdSense provides an effective method for both small and large website owners to monetarize their site by allowing advertisers to display text and graphical advertisements related to the site content. This site has been participating in the AdSense program since June 2009 and now is probably a good occasion to share our experiences with those who would like to try it.

How Google AdSense works

When you sign-up as a publisher with Google Adsense, you can choose a variety of ad formats - image or text based – that you can integrate with your site’s pages. Implementing AdSense into your site is relatively easy. You choose your ad size, font and color preferences and then are provided with automatically-generated JavaScript code. Then you simply carefully select and then copy and then paste it into your web page source code at the spot you would like the ad to appear. You are allowed to re-use the JavaScript code on any on any website that complies with the Google AdSense Program Policies.

How Advertisers Participate in Google Adsense

The AdSense ads that appear on a publisher’s site are generated through the Google AdWords program. Google AdWords is the companion program to Google Adsense. Advertisers create their own ads and select keywords and phrases to bid on. Advertisers can choose to appear in the Google SERP's (Search Engine Results Pages) and/or on participating publisher sites. Generally, if the web page that your AdSense code appears on is about “making money from home” (and that keyword phrase appears throughout the page) and an advertiser has specified “making money from home” as one of the search terms they want to bid upon, then that advertiser’s ad may be featured on your site. But matching websites and advertisers isn’t as simple as that. Whether a given ad winds up on your site so depends on the popularity of the web page, where the AdSense code is placed and several other factors. The AdSense algorithm is very complex. If your web page is popular with internet visitors, that will increase the odds of higher bid ads will appear on that page. If the web page is unpopular or has few visitors, then it is likely that lower paying ads will be placed on it. Although many complex mathematical calculations go on behind the scenes, the end result of AdSense algorithm is very fast and usually very accurate. It can take a little time for the Google bot to digest the web page’s content. If you look on the top of this page, you should see some examples of AdSense advertising. If you can’t see any ads on this page, your firewall is probably configured to block advertising on web pages. I didn’t specify what the ads on this page should feature. Google analyzed this article and generated relevant advertising. As you can see, the AdSense algorithm manages to achieve a high degree of customization.

How much revenue can I earn with Google AdSense?

Even if your site generates only a few hundred page views a day, you can still earn a profit. The secret to ucceeding with a low-traffic site is to find the right niche by offering valuable content that advertisers are willing to pay to be seen with. You can estimate how much each click is worth by using Google's AdWordsTraffic Estimator. If you type in a search term, for example, “making money from home,” you’ll be able see the approximate cost for each click. Pretty interesting, huh? Some highly-competitive keywords pay more than $60 per click, for example, “mesothelioma treatment options,” because those clicks are very to get and consequently very valuable to advertisers. But as the publisher. you won't necessarily get that amount, because the value of a click depends upon many factors. But the preceding example gives you some idea of expensive keywords vs. the less-expensive keywords. Google cuts the checks for publishers approximately 30 days after the end of each calendar month, assuming that you've earned $100 or more. If you've earned less than hat, the remaining balance is carried over to the following month.

AdSense Pitfalls to Avoid

Google is strict in enforcing its AdSense program policy, and violations can get an AdSense publisher banned.

• Never but never, click on your own ads. If you want to see what an ad looks like, use the ad preview feature while logged into your AdSense account. Considering the amount some advertisers are willing to spend for even one click, Google is very sensitive to click fraud.

• The same no-click prohibition applies to everyone in your household who connects to the internet through your network. Google has seen most of the tricks people use to engage in click fraud and pursues violators vigorously.

• Don't run AdSense code where no visitor will ever see it.

• Don't create incentives by offering rewards to visitors who click on ads. Don't beg for clicks by telling visitors to support this site by clicking on ads

AdSense Tips for Success

• Color-coordinate your AdSense ads and adjust the font to match the web page.

• Compose your content with the reader in mind, but also the potential Adsense advertiser.

• Placement is important, position your ads where they are likely to be seen.

• Google permits up to three AdSense code units per page. Use all three ad units if you can, but vary the size and position. Larger ads seem to work better than smaller ones.