Beginner -- couple of questions -- already checked FAQ

[Andrew Bassett]

I just launched a website a few days ago, and I launched my Google AdSense at the same time.

Upon starting, is it normal to have a few hundred impressions, a few clicks, and absolutely ZERO cents in revenue? Note that I've disabled public service ads in favor of a solid color.

Thanks, and it looks like I'll enjoy this site.

[ann]

It depends on how you "launched" it. If you got listed in several good directories or managed to get some decent links from good websites then yes, it seems normal to me.

Good luck with your site and welcome to WW

Ann

P.S.

Those clicks may have been yours (PLEASE don't click to test) or reporting hasn't caught up yet. Today is not a good adsense day as you can tell by reading some posts in here.

[Andrew Bassett]

Maybe I'm just irrational, but I always click everything I set up at least once to make sure it works.

I haven't yet submitted the website in any directories other than Google. I have a small fanbase right now, so I'm not surprised about the few hundred impressions, I'm curious whether a few hundred impressions should show up as zero cents earned.

[david_uk]

I'de leave it a few days before you start to worry. Google servers have clearly been having problems.

[ann]

If you absolutely HAVE to click everything you set up then use Googles test ads for that otherwise we will soon be reading about how you were banned and didn't do a thing to cause it.

[Andrew Bassett]

Thanks for the tip; don't need the test ad now though.

Here's hoping nothing bad happens. :o

[celgins]

Maybe I'm just irrational, but I always click everything I set up at least once to make sure it works.

Doing this with banner ads through affiliate programs might be okay, but Google highly discourages it.

Use the Preview Tool to test/click links. Those clicks don't count.

[Crickey]

See,if Google knows how to disregard clicks of the publisher, then why ban them if they do click on there own ads?

Yes, I did click on my own ads a couple of times when I just got them on my site.
I guess it's a bit like 'boys and their new toys',checking it out to see how it works.

I also clicked them because I knew the ads that were displayed were ads linking to scam sites (asking money to download freeware) and I wanted the urls so I could block them on my site.

This was ofcourse before I knew there are other ways to find out what a url is behind the ad.
None of my own clicks generated any income.

[Andrew Bassett]

Crickey, I had the same curious question, but here's my theory:

- Google can detect "typical" webmaster clicks but obviously not all of them. For all Google knows, if they see 2 invalid clicks then there may be more.

BTW my AdSense revenues seem to be working now.