Here’s one great method to make more money online: convince Google to pay you. Does it sound intriguing? We’ll go on.
Yes, you can get Google pays publishers through its Google Adsense Service. It’s an excellent way to get ads on your site and increase your revenue.
However, there is a lot you need to know about Google Adsense before you sign up. We’ve created this quick guide to help you.
How It Works
The first thing you’ll need to do is create an Adsense account and embed a Javascript provided on your website.
The great thing about Adsense ads is that you don’t have to worry about losing any credibility because of them. The script will make sure the ads match your website and are relevant to the online content you have.
When one of your users clicks on these ads, you earn money. Users aren’t required to purchase anything, so there’s a greater chance of increasing your revenue by hosting these ads.
Getting Approved
Unfortunately, not all Adsense publishers get approved. If you want to get Google to pay you, you’ll have to go through an approval process, where you file an official request, and then someone will review it.
And during that review process, Google will take a close look at your website and analyze it. Now, here lies the problem. Many people can have their request declined because their website is not up to par with the Google standards.
If you have a decent website that is mostly up to Google’s standards, then that gives you a better chance of getting the Adsense request approved.
Getting Started
Let’s say your website is of high-quality, and you’re fairly confident the request will get approved. Well, to get started with Adsense you’ll need three things:
- A Google Account
Anything from your Gmail to any other account in the vast Google universe counts. If you don’t, then quickly sign up for one, because you’ll need that account to sign into Adsense (and also because everything is Google these days).
- Original Content
Here, original means that’s yours, like a website or a blog where you create and publish content. Fair warning: the content must adhere to Google’s program policies.
Here are some pages Google doesn’t want to display ads on:
- Pornography or adult content;
- Shocking content;
- Material that is discriminatory, harrases, incites hatred;
- Excessive profanity;
- Content that promotes certain illegal acts (like advertising products made from endangered species, or things on illegal hacking).
Those are just some of the things Google does not like, so be sure to check the full list to see if your website is in the clear.
- A Phone Number and a Postal Address
Don’t worry; Google won’t be making any late-night calls to you. This information will be associated with your bank account so that you can get paid for hosting the ads. Also, it’s non-negotiable, so if you want to complete this process, you’ll have to provide this information.
Optimize for Adsense
Your Adsense earning depends on the number of people that click on the targeted ads you host. Because of this, once you get approved, you should also consider optimizing your website layout to increase the chances of your website visitors clicking on these ads.
Here’s what you can do:
- Add Leaderboard Banner
Here’s a highly effective ad placement: a large banner placed right at the top of the page. For most sites, one with a 728px width and a 90px height is enough, though depending on your layout, you may even go wider than that. Even Time Magazine has one.
- Add a Sidebar
Sidebars can let you increase the number of ads displayed on a page, without making it seem too crowded. You can choose from rectangular shapes or even skyscraper banners at various sizes. Plus, sidebars lets you add extra information, like signing up for your newsletter.
- Add a Horizontal Banner
You have two options with horizontal banners. First, you can place it right at the end so that readers can see it once they’ve finished reading the content. Or, you can add the bar right through the middle to increase the chances of it getting clicks.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Here’s what Google frowns upon when it comes to ad placement:
- Using pop-ups;
- Emails;
- Software;
- Pages where a dynamic element is the main focus (like a live chat);
- Pages created just for showing ads, with no relevant content.
Any violation of these terms can get your Adsense account suspended. Moreover, don’t think you can ask your readers in the content to click on the ads either. Google specifically forbids it in its Adsense community policy page.
Start Making Money
Your request is approved, your website layout is optimized, so now it’s time to make some money. First, you’ll have to choose the type of ad that’s best suited for your website.
The next step is to get a piece of code for the ad, which you’ll have to copy paste to your website exactly where you want it to appear. Advertisers will start bidding for getting their ads displayed on your site.
Once the bidding is complete, the highest paying ads go live. You start earning money every time someone clicks on the ad, and then you’ll get the money once you meet a certain payment threshold.
Back to You
Adsense is a great way to make extra money, but it can be difficult to check every box and get approved. If you want some extra help, call Australian Internet Advertising today, and we’ll get your website in top shape for Google’s standards.
