How to Add Google AdSense to WordPress

Adding Google AdSense to your WordPress website is one of the most effective ways to start earning money from your content. If you have a blog that gets regular visitors, you can use that space to show ads and get paid for your hard work.

This guide will walk you through the process step by step, even if you are not a technical expert.

Step 1: Prepare Your Website

Before you start the technical setup, you need to make sure your website is ready. Google looks for high-quality content and a professional layout. Make sure you have:

• At least 10 to 15 high-quality blog posts.
• Standard pages like “About Us,” “Contact Us,” and a “Privacy Policy.”
• A clean design that is easy to navigate on mobile phones and computers.

Step 2: Create Your Account

The first step is to visit the official website for the ad program and sign up. You will need a Google account to do this. During the signup process, you will provide your website URL and your payment address.

Once you submit your application, Google will review your site. This can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks.

Step 3: Connect WordPress Using a Plugin

The easiest way for beginners to add ads is by using a plugin. Plugins handle the code for you so you do not have to touch the “backend” of your site.

Using Site Kit by Google

Site Kit is the official WordPress plugin made by Google. It is a great choice because it connects all your tools in one place.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins and then click Add New.
3. Search for Site Kit by Google.
4. Install and activate the plugin.
5. Click on the Set Up button and follow the instructions to verify your site.
6. Once connected, go to the plugin settings and click Connect Service under the ad section.

Step 4: Adding Ad Units Manually

If you prefer more control over where your ads appear, you can add them manually. This method is better if you want to place ads specifically inside your articles or in the sidebar.

1. Log in to your ad account and go to the Ads tab.
2. Click on By ad unit.
3. Choose the type of ad you want (Display ads are the most common).
4. Give your ad unit a name and click Create.
5. Google will give you a snippet of code. Copy this code.

Where to put the code in WordPress:

• Sidebar: Go to Appearance, then Widgets. Add a Custom HTML block to your sidebar and paste the code there.
• Inside Posts: You can use a plugin like “Ad Inserter” to automatically place the code after the first or second paragraph of every post.

Step 5: Enable Auto Ads

If you find the manual process too confusing, you can turn on Auto Ads. This is a feature where Google uses artificial intelligence to scan your site and place ads where they are likely to perform best.

To do this, you just need to paste one piece of code into the header of your site. Most modern WordPress themes have a section in the Customizer called “Header/Footer Scripts” where you can paste this. Once the code is there, you can toggle Auto Ads “On” in your Google dashboard.

Best Practices for Your New Ads

Once your ads are running, keep these tips in mind to ensure your account stays in good standing:

• Never click your own ads: This is a violation of the rules and can get your account banned.
• Do not ask friends to click: Google has smart systems to detect unnatural clicking patterns.
• Focus on traffic: The more people who read your blog, the more chances you have to earn. Focus on writing great content that people want to share.
• Don’t overdo it: Having too many ads can make your site slow and annoy your readers. Balance is key.

By following these steps, you can turn your WordPress blog into a source of income while continuing to provide value to your audience.