how does AdSense work?

[surrealillusions]

Hi all,

Can someone explain in idiots language how this adsense works?

I could look on Google, but they will surely explain it in a way that entices you to do it and therefore they gain more money. I would like an opinion from people who haven't got a bias.

I would like to earn money from my website but not sure how to go about it.

I've always hated ads and dont particular want to put ads on my websiter, but needs must as the devil drives desperation towards me in times of need.

Any help would be appreciated

:)

[naitsirhc26]

Google ads are excellent in that they deliver targeted ads that actually benefit your viewers. Basically advertisers bid on keywords for their advertising, and then you dedicate sections of your site to Google ads. Then the server will place ads of relevant content in those areas. That's the short version synopsis of Google Adsense I guess.

If you take the time to search the forums, you will find loads of great advice and info.

[ftwb05]

it's by far the easiest way to earn a little money from your website with minimum effort, and how much the ads "stand out" and spoil your site is up to you.

You choose which type of ads, which size, colour, etc, to display, place some code on your website, and you're off.

Go for it. If you don't like it, pull the ads off.

You really need to go over to the Google adsense site and just dive in, it doesn't cost you anything.

Good luck.

[europeforvisitors]

1) Apply for AdSense.

2) When you're accepted, use Google's "AdSense Setup" dialogue to select an ad format and generate ad code.

3) Paste the ad code into your pages (or into your running page margins, if you'd like to save time and hassle).

4) Publish the modified pages and wait for payment.

[LifeinAsia]

5) As much as you may be tempted to click on your own ads, DO NOT DO IT! Otherwise, the second part of step #4 may never come.

[tim222]

You need to know how to edit your HTML code. You'll use the AdSense control panel to generate the HTML that you can insert into your pages. You can choose the size of the ad when you generate the code. You can choose the format as well. For example, you could generate the code for a 468x60 image banner. You then take that code and insert it into your HTML so that the ad appears where you want it. Google will take care of rotating the ads, so different ads will appear in that space when it's live.

The first step, as already mentioned, is to apply. It will take Google a few weeks to review your site and give you an answer, so do that now.

Good luck and have fun :)

[jomaxx]

Just read what Google says. Do you think a bunch of random comments can be a substitute for reading the actual documentation of how AdSense works and what the rules are?

[tim222]

you think a bunch of random comments can be a substitute for reading the actual documentation of how AdSense works and what the rules are?

Well I suppose you could say the same thing regarding any question that's asked in the AdSense forum. Yes, the best policy is to RTFM. But it never hurts to get other opinions.

[farmboy]

Google ads are excellent in that they deliver targeted ads that actually benefit your viewers.

That sounds like the Google PR description the OP was trying to avoid. :)

To the OP: Seriously, the above was the intent of AdSense and it worked a lot like that in the beginning.

Now however, a lot of advertisers have learned how to "game the system" and AdSense is now less than excellent in my opinion.

All the ads that appear on your site won't actually benefit your visitors. Some will frustrate your visitors with misleading ad text, ads that take visitors to pages with nothing but more ads, etc,. Since you seem to care about the quality of your site and/or experience of your visitors, this is something you'll want to consider.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just to introduce a dose of reality. In fact, I encourage you to sign up and place AdSense on a few pages of your site and monitor the ads & the results.

But if you care about the ads that might appear on your site, it's not, or at least it is no longer a plug, play and forget system. You'll need to check your pages with AdSense ads on a regular basis to make sure you're not getting undesirable ads.

FarmBoy

[naitsirhc26]

Okay, well, I guess the ads that are served up on my site are better targeted than most! :-) I am just lucky that I get highly targeted, beneficial ads for my users.

But yes, it does take work, and you do have to monitor and take care of Adsense.

[surrealillusions]

ok..thanks everyone.

I will head over to google and apply for it.

:)

[Hobbs]

AdSense works like marriage:
Invest enough time and effort into it and you might stand a 50% chance of making it through, take it for granted, abuse it, forget her birthday, tell her she is fat.. And you'll be in over your head.

[LifeinAsia]

And bring home another woman (contextual advertising program) to be in the same room at the same time? Forget it!

[surrealillusions]

haha

thats a good comparison

:)