AdSense on your blog: best practices for approval and revenue

Monetizing a blog with AdSense is common, but approval and long-term success depend on quality and policy compliance.

Before you apply

• Enough content: Dozens of original, useful posts are better than a handful. Avoid thin or copied content.
• Clear structure: A real homepage, blog listing and individual posts. Navigation and footer with links to key pages.
• Policy pages: Privacy Policy and Terms (or Terms of Use). Mention use of cookies and third-party ads (e.g. Google). A contact or about page helps trust.

Layout and UX

• No aggressive ads: Avoid too many units, popups that block content or ads that look like navigation. AdSense policies restrict misleading placement.
• Mobile-friendly: Most traffic is mobile. Responsive layout and readable tap targets matter for both users and policy.
• Reserve space: Use fixed-height containers or min-height for ad slots to reduce layout shift (CLS). Lazy-load below the fold if needed.

After approval

• Experiment with placement: One or two units above the fold and one in the middle or end of posts often works. Don’t overcrowd.
• Monitor policy: Stay updated on program policies. Avoid prohibited content (e.g. adult, dangerous, misleading).
• Cookie consent: If you’re in the EEA or similar, use a consent solution and load ads only after consent when required.

AdSense works best on sites that already serve users well. Focus on content and UX first; then ads can complement without hurting experience.