What Is Google AdSense and How Does It Work?

What Is Google AdSense and How Does It Work? (2026)

Google AdSense is an advertising platform that lets you place ads on your website or YouTube channel. Advertisers pay to appear on your content through Google’s ad auction, and you earn based on the number of ad impressions your website pages generate.

More than 51 million websites use Google AdSense as of May 2026. On YouTube alone, creators have earned a collective $70 billion by monetizing their videos through the AdSense-powered partner program.

If you have a website or blog, you can monetize its content with Google AdSense. This guide shares how to do it, the types of Google AdSense ads you can run, and tips to increase your earnings.

Table of Contents

1. What is Google AdSense?
2. Google AdSense vs. Google Ads: What’s the difference?
3. Types of Google AdSense ads
4. How does Google AdSense work?
5. How to get approved for Google AdSense
6. How to set up Google AdSense on your site
7. How much does Google AdSense pay?
8. Pros and cons of Google AdSense
9. Tips for making money with Google AdSense
10. Google AdSense alternatives
11. Can you use Google AdSense with Shopify?
12. What is Google AdSense FAQ

What is Google AdSense?

Google AdSense is a free advertising program run by Google that allows you to earn money by displaying ads on your site or YouTube channel. Advertisers pay for Google ads to appear in ad spaces on content that their target audiences visit. When someone views those ads, the creator receives a cut.

How much you can earn with Google AdSense depends on:

• Your industry. The apparel and accessories industry has the lowest median CPM, per TripleWhale’s 2026 benchmarks, which pulls down the earning potential for creators in that category.
• The ad format. Publishers earn roughly 68% of the advertiser’s spend, depending on which platform the advertiser used to buy the ad. AdSense for Search ads pays 51%.

Google AdSense vs. Google Ads: What’s the difference?

Google AdSense allows publishers to monetize their websites or blogs with ads. Google Ads, on the other hand, is a program for marketers. Brands use Google Ads to place advertisements within Google search and on publisher websites that use Google AdSense.

Shopify website owners can use Google Ads and the Google & YouTube sales channel to drive traffic and sales for their products. AdSense is a publisher-side product used to monetize content—not sell products—making it the better option if you use Shopify to run a blog.

Types of Google AdSense ads

Google AdSense offers six different types of ads you can use to monetize your website.

Google AdSense format	Where to use it
Display ads	Page margins
In-feed ads	Between blog articles in a feed
In-article ads	Between paragraphs in an article
Multiplex ads	At the end of an article
Search ads	On search results pages
AMP ads	On AMP-enabled articles

Display ads

Display ads are advertisements that appear in the margins of your webpage as horizontal banners across the top, vertical ads, or box ads along the side. Google recommends you set display ads as responsive, meaning they automatically adjust to different screen sizes and page layouts, though you can customize them to fit a fixed dimension.

In-feed ads

In-feed ads are a type of native ad, meaning it matches the format of the content on your website. If your site features a feed of blog posts, for example, an in-feed ad would appear in between two of them. It will appear stylistically similar but include a green “Ad” tag to distinguish it from your own content.

In-feed ads can be text-only or can include pictures, depending on the design of the page. There is no limit on how many you can add, provided ads don’t exceed your content. Google recommends you place at least three content blocks between each one.

In-article ads

In-article ads are native ads that appear between paragraphs within articles. They can include text and images. You can set the font and colors of the ad text yourself to make it match your content. Alternatively, you can select the option for “Google-optimized style,” which will automatically select a color and font if there are other alternatives that will perform better.

Multiplex ads

Multiplex ads are grid-style ad units that recommend related content and products to readers. Instead of interrupting the user’s focus as they read, multiplex ads provide options for continued interaction after the user is done with your content.

Search ads

Google’s search ads show up at the top of Google search results pages. Use them to earn money by including a Google-powered search engine on your site. When your site visitors use your search bar, Google Search ads will appear in the results.

AMP ads

AMP ads are a type of display ad built specifically for Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), a framework that lets content load quickly for mobile users. According to Google, responsive ads on AMP-compatible website pages see 45% higher revenue per thousand page views (RPM) than non-responsive ad units. You’ll need AMP HTML to place these ads on your site, which is a different code than other AdSense formats.

How does Google AdSense work?

Here are the steps for setting up and earning money from Google AdSense:

• Sign up for a Google AdSense account. When Google approves your website and payment information, you can start displaying ads on your site.
• Place the AdSense code on your website. Make spaces available by pasting HTML code (provided by Google AdSense) into the appropriate fields on your website. Some content management systems (CMSs), like Blogger, come pre-equipped with AdSense to speed up the process.
• Ad auctions for your spaces open. Advertisers bid on those ad placements based on your site’s content. Google places the highest bidder’s ads on your site.
• Ads load and you get a payout. The winning ad loads on your website and you earn revenue per impression. Once your account balance reaches the minimum payout threshold, Google issues payment on a monthly basis.

Using AdSense with YouTube

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) uses AdSense for payouts. If you’re a content creator who wants to monetize your YouTube channel with AdSense, you’ll need to meet the following thresholds to join the program:

• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid public YouTube Shorts views in the past 90 days

Once you’re accepted into the program, link your AdSense account to display YouTube ads and receive payments. To do this, head to YouTube Studio, click Earn, and find Sign up for AdSense and YouTube.

How to get approved for Google AdSense

All publishers need to meet Google’s eligibility requirements to join Google AdSense:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Your website must be high quality, original, and attract an audience.
• Your content must comply with Google’s Program policies.

Once you’ve created an AdSense account, connect your site by placing a code snippet between the <head> tags of your pages. Google will review your entire site to check that it complies with AdSense program policies. This usually takes a few days, but in some cases can take up to four weeks. You can start to show ads once you pass this initial review.

If your AdSense account was rejected, it may be because:

• You have a duplicate account. Google only allows one AdSense account per publisher.
• Your content doesn’t meet Google’s AdSense Program policies. Site navigation issues, content quality issues, or unsupported languages are listed reasons.

Check you have the following things in place before applying:

• Your website site is live, publicly accessible, and not password-protected.
• It contains original content across multiple pages.
• There’s a clear navigation menu with no broken links or excessive pop-ups.
• Ad code is placed on a live page that receives regular traffic.
• You’re compliant with all AdSense Program policies.

How to set up Google AdSense on your site

You’ll need a Google account and a website you own that meets Google’s criteria. Once you have those, apply to join Google AdSense with these steps:

1. Create an AdSense account. Head to the registration page and sign into your Google account. Enter the URL of the website you want to show ads on, and choose your payment country or territory.
2. Connect your website. In the AdSense dashboard, find Sites and click Add Site, then enter the URL of the site you want to monetize. Google will provide you with a code to verify your ownership. Place this code into the HTML section of your website between the <head> tags, then press Verify and click Request Review.
3. Wait for approval. Google will review your website to make sure it’s compliant. This can take up to four weeks.
4. Set up ads. Once you’re approved, start displaying ads on your website. Choose Auto ads to let Google decide which ads to show and where they’re placed, or create a display ad unit if you want full control.
5. Verify your payment method. Before you can withdraw your AdSense earnings, you’ll need to verify your identity, address, and payment method. For USD accounts, you’ll need to earn at least $100 before you can trigger a payout. The threshold varies by currency.

How much does Google AdSense pay?

Publishers keep 80% of revenue after the advertiser platform’s fee, which works out to roughly 68% when ads are bought through Google Ads.

There is no guarantee that you will make money online with Google AdSense. Actual earnings depend on a variety of factors, including:

• Your region
• The type of content you publish
• How much traffic your site receives
• How many ads you place on your site
• The time of year

Since Google AdSense moved to per-impression payouts in 2024, revenue per thousand impressions (RPM) is the most useful metric for tracking performance. It divides your total earnings by every 1,000 views. If you earned $10 from 10,000 page views, for example, your AdSense RPM would be $1. You can find these details in the Google AdSense Reports tab.

Once you meet the payout threshold for your currency, there will be a delay to receive your earnings. You’ll receive your payout between the 21st and the 26th of the following month.

Pros and cons of Google AdSense

Pros of monetizing your website with Google AdSense include:

• Low barrier to entry. Google AdSense is free to use and there are no minimum traffic requirements to join.
• Done-for-you approach. A large advertiser pool means ads can be varied without the need to find advertisers yourself, while automatic ad matching takes the pressure of choosing which ads to show.
• Control. Ad controls let you block specific ads, categories, or advertisers from displaying on your site.

Limitations of Google AdSense as a website monetization method include:

• Fixed revenue share. You can’t negotiate higher rates with advertisers when they run ad campaigns through Google Ads.
• High payout thresholds. If your account is set to USD, you’ll need to earn at least $100 before you can withdraw your AdSense earnings. There’s a one-month payout delay once you meet this threshold.
• Changes in search behavior. Google’s AI summaries reduce click-through rates. If you rely on SEO to drive traffic to your website, this affects traffic and, subsequently, AdSense earnings.

Tips for making money with Google AdSense

Build a reputable website

While Google doesn’t reveal specifics of what is required to be accepted into the AdSense program, it prioritizes high-quality websites in its advertising network. To make money blogging with AdSense, build a reputable website that:

• Is easy to navigate
• Contains original, rich content that’s valuable to your readers
• Offers a positive user experience with sufficient text

“You don’t have to invent anything,” says Kevin Esposito, founder of Epic Gardening. “You have an audience that’s helping guide you toward the things that they really care about.”

Focus your content

Google uses crawlers to assess your website and identify signals, such as keywords and page structure, that indicate what kind of content you’re sharing. Google uses that information to determine which ads are relevant to your site. Focus your content around a specific subject or category to make it easier for Google to match you with advertisers who want to reach the same target audience.

"We’ve been very consistent with our newsletters; we do about two to three a week,” says Ally Walsh, cofounder of Canyon Coffee. “They range from selling coffee products to journals, interviews with artists, musicians, chefs—content that’s related to coffee that people have found inspiring through the years.”

Use strategic ad placements

Place display ads near the top of your site so users don’t have to scroll to find them. In-feed and in-article ads can prominently display ads where your readers will be looking. Just make sure your site isn’t so saturated with ads that it makes for a poor user experience.

"When you have a media business that ends up selling a product or a service, how much do you mention it before people start to get frustrated?” says Kevin. “But if you don’t mention it enough, well, you’re not using the advantage of having a platform. You have to find some happy medium.”

Drive traffic to your website

More website traffic gives you more opportunities to display ads on your website. To increase website traffic:

• Promote your blog content on social media
• Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, like including keywords in your content, building backlinks from other websites, and creating internal links
• Guest post for other publications and divert readers back to your website

“We spend next to nothing on advertising—like less than 1% of our revenue,” says Adam Wolfe, founder and CEO of Boost Auto. “Everything we do is native marketing. We’ve never hired an SEO agency. We use Shopify, read a couple articles, and we are the number one in search for most of what we want.”

Follow Google’s guidelines

While it may be tempting to increase your click-through rate by clicking on your own ads or encouraging others to do so, Google wants all clicks to result from genuine user interest. It doesn’t bill advertisers for invalid clicks or impressions, which means the publisher doesn’t earn any revenue from those exclusions. Invalid traffic includes repeatedly clicking links, either manually or using automated bots. It also covers accidental link clicks that have no value.

Diversify your income

Google allows publishers to place affiliate links on websites enrolled in AdSense, provided you stick to their publisher policies. This gives creators an extra way to earn passive income from their website.

“Up until 2019 [when he launched an online store], I’d been doing Epic Gardening for three years full-time, and it was a YouTube channel, it was a blog, it was social media, it was a podcast—which is all media—and the business was making revenue off of that media,” says Kevin. “So, ads or affiliate deals or brand deals—some of the classic media monetization models.”

If you’re an ecommerce business, consider direct monetization methods like products or affiliate marketing over display ads.

Google AdSense alternatives

Google AdSense isn’t the only way to monetize your website. Other advertising platforms to consider include:

AdSense alternative	Requirements	Revenue model	Use for
Google AdMob	None	Not shared publicly; use the AdMob revenue calculator for an estimate	Displaying ads on your mobile app
MediaVine	More than $5,000 in annual ad revenue	Publishers keep 75% to 90% of advertising revenue, depending on their tier	Display ads on a blog
Ezoic	More than 250,000 monthly active users	Not specified	Rewarded ads on content downloads, job listings, or newsletters
Raptive	At least 25,000 page views a month	Publishers keep 75% of ad revenue	Programmatic ads, brand partnerships, and video monetization

Another option is to skip ads from brands entirely and launch your own product or service. Kevin of Epic Gardening took this approach: “I looked at the landscape and I was like, why would I just accept a deal from a brand that I like working with? What do they really want? They want access to my audience. And I have that. It’s my audience. It’s the one that I built. So why wouldn’t I try, at least, to offer something directly to the audience?”

Can you use Google AdSense with Shopify?

Google AdSense can run on Shopify. More than 484,000 Shopify websites use AdSense, according to Builtwith’s 2026 data. It makes sense if you’re running a content-first Shopify website.

That said, display ads can compete with product revenue. They send users away from your website when clicked and there’s no guarantee the same user will come back to read your content or buy your products.

Display ads can also interfere with the user experience, as Natalie Gordon, founder and CEO at Babylist, explains: “This is my pet peeve: banner ads on registries. I understand the KPI you are trying to hit with this. I understand that you probably did a test and you saw that adding these may not hurt metrics in the short term. But it’s just the antithesis of how your users are thinking about it.”

What is Google AdSense FAQ

Is Google AdSense free?

Google AdSense is free to use. To get started, create an account, register your website, and run ads on your website, once approved.

How do publishers get approved for Google AdSense?

To get approved for Google AdSense, you will need to follow Google AdSense’s Program policies and post high-quality content. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

How much does AdSense pay per 1,000 views?

AdSense doesn’t pay a set amount for 1,000 views. AdSense income depends on your region, the type of content you publish, and how many ads you place on your website.

How long does it take to make $100 with Google AdSense?

How long it takes to earn $100 with Google AdSense depends on how much traffic your website receives, where you’re located, the type of content you publish, and how many ads you place on your site. Once you meet the payout threshold determined by your account currency, payouts will start between the 21st and the 26th of the following month.

How does Google determine which ads to show on a site?

Google uses three types of targeting to determine which ads display on a website:

• Contextual targeting, which considers keywords, font size, and link structures to understand what your website is about.
• Placement targeting, based on the ad formats an advertiser has selected for their campaign.
• Personalized ads, which use audience data—such as interests or previous interactions—to customize which ads show.