Google AdSense provides a way for publishers to earn money from their online content. AdSense works by matching ads to your site based on your content and visitors. The ads are created and paid for by advertisers who want to promote their products. Since these advertisers pay different prices for different ads, the amount that you earn will vary.
AdSense in three steps
1. You make your ad spaces available |
2. The highest-paying ads appear on your site |
3. You get paid |
| You make your ad spaces available by pasting ad code on your site, and choosing where you want the ads to appear. | Advertisers bid to be displayed in your ad spaces in a real-time auction. The highest paying ads show on your site. | We handle the process of billing all advertisers and networks for the ads on your site, to make sure that you receive your payments. |
Frequently asked questions
To help you find out more about how AdSense works, we've put together these FAQs from publishers:
Expand all Collapse allAbout AdSense
What is AdSense?
AdSense is a free-of-charge, simple way to earn money by displaying ads next to your online content. With AdSense, you can show relevant and engaging ads to your site visitors and even customise the look and feel of ads to match your site.
How does AdSense differ from other ad networks?
The AdSense programme differs in that it delivers ads served by Google Ads to your site. Google then pays you for the ads displayed on your site based on user clicks on ads or on ad impressions, depending on the type of ad. AdSense gives you instant and automatic access to a huge source of advertiser demand, which means competition for your ad spaces, more relevant ads and ads for all your online content.
Do I have to choose which ads to show on my website?
No. AdSense automatically serves ads on your website that are targeted to your content or audience. Learn how Google targets ads to your website.
Who decides which ads to show on my site?
AdSense uses an ad auction to automatically select the ads that will appear on your pages. The highest paying ads will show on your website. Learn more about the ad auction.
Can I view the ads on my site?
Yes, when you've got your ads up and running, you'll be able to view them on your site. An important thing to remember though, is not to click on your own ads. Clicking your own ads for any reason is not permitted by the AdSense programme policies.
If I view an ad on my site that I don't like, can I remove it?
Yes. The Brand safety page in your AdSense account lets you review individual ads and choose whether to let them show on your pages. Check out our guide to allowing and blocking ads on your site.
Costs
Do I have to pay to use AdSense?
No, participation in AdSense is free of charge. Even better, Google will pay you for clicks, impressions and other interactions with the Google ads you'll display on your website. For more details on the revenue that you can generate with AdSense, read our entry on earning with AdSense.
Sign up
How do I sign up for AdSense?
If you're ready to get started with AdSense, you can sign up here. We'll review your site to check that it complies with the programme policies.
Policies
Does AdSense have policies for participation that I must adhere to?
Publishers who choose to use the AdSense service are required to adhere to the programme policies. If you fail to comply with these policies, we may disable your AdSense account. In many cases we prefer to work with publishers to achieve policy compliance; however, we reserve the right to not display ads that violate these policies, to disable ad serving on pages that violate these policies, to withhold payment or to close offending accounts.
Please note that we may change our policies at any time, and pursuant to our Terms and Conditions, it is your responsibility to keep up to date with and adhere to the programme policies.
How do you enforce the programme policies?
We actively monitor AdSense publishers to check for continued compliance with our Programme policies. If we find publishers that do not comply with our policies or Terms and Conditions, we may suspend or terminate the account.
