Google Adsense…it’s often touted as one of the easiest ways for new bloggers to start earning passive income through display ads. I recently explored this approach after reading a post on The She Approach, where the author shares how she cashed in her first payment in just a couple of months. It sounded straightforward, so I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” Spoiler: It wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped. In this post I’ll walk you through the key steps to apply for Google Adsense, what you need to know about getting your first payment, and why my experience left me disappointed (read on as it may not be a problem for you!).
Why Choose Google Adsense for Blog Monetisation?
Google Adsense is popular among bloggers because it’s reliable and beginner-friendly. Unlike premium ad networks that demand massive traffic (think thousands of page views per month), Adsense approves smaller sites quickly. The ads are contextual—they match your content automatically, increasing click-through rates and potential earnings. Plus, it’s passive: once set up, you earn from impressions and clicks without much ongoing effort.
From what I learned, earnings depend on traffic quality and volume. More visitors mean more ad views and clicks, leading to higher payouts. The payment threshold is £60, paid via direct bank transfer. It sounds ideal.
What You Need Before Applying to Google Adsense
Before jumping in, make sure your blog is ready. Based on best practices, here’s what to check off:
1. A Self-Hosted Blog
Free platforms like Blogger or WordPress.com limit monetisation and often run their own ads. To use Adsense, you need a self-hosted site (e.g., on WordPress.org). I already had this sorted—tick! If you’re starting out, hosts like Bluehost (which is where this blog is hosted) offer affordable plans with a free domain.
2. An Established Blog with Quality Content
Don’t apply on day one. Your site should be live for at least a few weeks with 10-20 high-quality posts (if I could get it up and running, I could do with a few more of my own). Google reviews your content for professionalism. Thin or spammy sites get rejected. My blog met this criterion, but if yours doesn’t, focus on building content first.
3. Essential Pages: About, Contact, and Privacy
These are non-negotiable. An About page introduces you, a Contact page lets visitors reach out, and a Privacy Policy complies with Adsense policies (use a free generator if needed – WordPress has a good plugin). I had About and Privacy covered, but realised I was missing Contact—oops! I need to add that ASAP.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Google Adsense
Applying is simple—or so it should be. Here’s the process:
1. Search and Sign Up: Google “Google Adsense” and head to the official site https://adsense.google.com/start/. Log in with your Google account or create a new one.
2. Fill Out the Form: Enter your website URL and basic details. It’s quick.
3. Verify Your Site: Paste a provided code into your site’s HTML to prove ownership. Wait a few days for review.
Once approved, set up ad units in your dashboard. Choose responsive sizes for better mobile fit, and place them strategically (e.g., sidebar, footer, or in-post). Avoid overdoing it—stick to 2-3 per page to keep things user-friendly. I personally despise websites that are full of ads, I immediately leave the site if that happens.
Earnings build from clicks and impressions. Track them in the dashboard, and once you hit the threshold, verify your bank details (they send a small test deposit). Payments issue monthly after approval.
So why didn’t it work for me?
Inspired by The She Approach post, I followed the steps eagerly. But things went south during verification. Adsense required phone number confirmation, but it wouldn’t work—no code arrived, despite multiple tries. Frustrated, I created a new Google account to bypass it but the same problem occurred. Why these glitches? I have no idea.
I usually love Google products—they’re intuitive and reliable. But this? Painful. There’s zero direct support; it funnels you to forums where responses were generic and unhelpful (much like basic AI suggestions). I posted my issue, but got nowhere. I even left feedback with Google, hoping for improvements.
As a result, I couldn’t set up Adsense. It’s disappointing because it seems like a solid earner for bloggers—reaching that first $100 payment could motivate anyone. But based on this, I wouldn’t recommend it if you value customer care. The lack of real help makes it feel unreliable for beginners who might hit snags.
