Google AdSense Review (2025): How to Make Money as an Affiliate
What Is Google AdSense?
Google AdSense is one of the world’s most popular ad networks that allows publishers, bloggers, and content creators to earn money by displaying targeted ads on their websites, blogs, or YouTube videos.
Launched in 2003, AdSense revolutionized online monetization by enabling small creators and large publishers alike to earn passive income through contextual advertising — meaning ads automatically match your content and audience.
💡 In simple terms: AdSense pays you whenever visitors view or click the ads on your site.
How Does Google AdSense Work?
AdSense connects advertisers (via Google Ads) with publishers (website owners).
Advertisers bid in real-time to display their ads on your website. When a user clicks or views an ad, you earn revenue.
For Publishers:
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Sign up at Google AdSense.
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Add your website or YouTube channel for approval.
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Once approved, place AdSense ad code on your site.
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Google automatically serves relevant ads based on content, user behavior, and keywords.
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You earn money each time a visitor clicks (CPC) or views (CPM) the ad.
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Get paid monthly via direct deposit once you reach the $100 threshold.
💡 Pro Tip: AdSense uses machine learning to determine the most profitable ad placements and formats for your site. The more traffic and engagement you have, the higher your potential earnings.
Who Should Use AdSense?
👩💻 For Bloggers and Publishers
AdSense is perfect if you:
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Run a content-based website or blog
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Want to earn passive income from free or organic traffic
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Write about evergreen topics (finance, health, tech, travel, education)
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Prefer Google’s trusted payment system
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Have consistent, real traffic (not bots or incentivized clicks)
📺 For YouTubers
AdSense powers YouTube Partner Program (YPP) payments.
You can connect your YouTube channel to AdSense to get paid for:
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Ad views before, during, or after videos
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Memberships, SuperChats, and Shorts bonuses
Pros and Cons of Google AdSense
✅ Pros
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Free and easy to join (for qualified sites)
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Highly trusted — backed by Google
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Automatic ad optimization and targeting
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Multiple ad types (display, text, in-feed, matched content, video)
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Supports global audiences and multiple languages
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Transparent reporting through AdSense dashboard & Google Analytics
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Integrates with Blogger, YouTube, and other Google platforms
❌ Cons
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Strict approval process for new sites
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$100 minimum payout
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Violating policies (invalid clicks, duplicate content) can lead to bans
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RPMs (revenue per 1,000 impressions) can be low in some niches or GEOs
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Limited customization compared to networks like Ezoic or Mediavine
Best-Performing Ad Types on AdSense
| Ad Format | Description | Best Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Display Ads | Image and text ads shown across your site | Within content & sidebar |
| In-Feed Ads | Blend into your article or category lists | Between posts or product listings |
| In-Article Ads | Native ads between paragraphs | Mid-content |
| Anchor Ads | Sticky banner that stays visible while scrolling | Mobile bottom or desktop top |
| Auto Ads | Google automatically places ads for max revenue | Entire site |
💡 Pro Tip: Enable Auto Ads to let Google experiment and place ads where they perform best — or manually fine-tune using AdSense’s “Ad Balance” tool.
How to Get Started with AdSense
Step-by-Step:
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Go to Google AdSense.
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Click “Get Started.”
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Enter your website URL and Google Account.
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Wait for manual review and approval (can take 1–7 days).
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Once approved, log in and generate your ad code.
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Paste it into your website’s
<head>or ad slots. -
Start earning as visitors view and click ads!
Payment Methods: Direct Deposit, Wire Transfer, Western Union (some countries)
Payment Frequency: Monthly (after reaching $100 threshold)
Minimum Payout: $100
AdSense vs Other Ad Networks
| Feature | Google AdSense | Ezoic | Monetag | Mediavine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | CPC / CPM | AI-Optimized CPM | CPM / SmartLink | Managed Premium Ads |
| Approval | Strict Manual Review | Easier | Easy | High Traffic (50k+) |
| Minimum Payout | $100 | $20 | $5 | $25 |
| Optimization | Automatic | AI / Testing | Smart Tag | Human Team |
| Best For | Small-Medium Sites | Growing Sites | Global Traffic | Established Publishers |
Verdict:
AdSense is the best entry-level monetization platform for publishers who want a trusted, stable, and beginner-friendly ad income stream.
Once your traffic grows, you can scale up with Ezoic or Mediavine for higher RPMs.
How to Make Money with AdSense
1. Create High-Quality Content
Focus on evergreen topics that advertisers bid heavily for:
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Finance & Investing
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Health & Wellness
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Technology & Software
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Education & Careers
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Travel & Lifestyle
2. Increase Targeted Traffic
Organic search traffic from Google tends to have higher CPC (Cost Per Click) rates.
Use SEO to rank for long-tail keywords that attract buyers and readers with intent.
3. Optimize Ad Placement
Experiment with ad positions and densities:
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Above the fold
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Inside articles
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Sticky sidebars
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After key paragraphs
4. Improve Site Speed
Faster pages = better user experience = higher ad engagement.
Use Google PageSpeed Insights and caching plugins.
5. Comply with AdSense Policies
Avoid invalid clicks, duplicate content, and deceptive ad placements.
Always read Google’s Publisher Policy Center.
💡 Affiliate Tip: Combine AdSense with affiliate offers or email opt-ins for dual monetization — turning every visitor into either ad revenue or an affiliate lead.
Common Questions About Google AdSense
Is AdSense legit?
Absolutely. It’s owned by Google and used by millions of publishers worldwide.
Can I use AdSense with other ad networks?
Yes, as long as they don’t violate AdSense policies (avoid overlapping or auto-refreshing ads).
How much can I earn with AdSense?
Depends on niche, traffic source, and GEO. Typical ranges:
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$2–$10 RPM for general niches
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$15–$50 RPM for finance, tech, or insurance keywords
Do I need a website?
Yes, unless you’re monetizing a YouTube channel via the YouTube Partner Program.
When do I get paid?
Monthly, once your balance reaches $100.
Final Thoughts
Google AdSense remains the most trusted and widely-used ad network for website and YouTube monetization in 2025.
It’s beginner-friendly, reliable, and fully integrated into the Google ecosystem — making it an ideal first step for anyone looking to earn passive income online.
Once your site’s traffic grows, you can easily transition to higher-RPM networks like Ezoic or Mediavine to maximize earnings.
If you’re serious about building a long-term online income, AdSense is where you start.
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