Getting Started with Adsense

Getting started with Adsense is not as difficult as many might think. If you have created your own website, you will need to know how to add the code provided by Google Adsense to the HTML code of your website in the proper place, yet you do not need know HTML or any other programming code.

You must already have an active website in order to use Google Adsense. If you do not have a website already, your first step is to create your website. Click here for the easiest way to build a website with Adsense ads already built in.

If you do not wish to create your own website, you may want to try using pre-made Adsense websites or website templates in which all you do is plug in your Adsense account ID and upload to your website hosting account. Click here to find the best website hosting companies for hosting your Adsense website.

Once you have your website up and running, it is time to place Adsense on your website. Remember, your website needs to have relevant and original content before you try to display Adsense ads on it. Click here if you need help with content for your website.

Set up an Adsense Account with Google.

1. Go to the Google Adsense website to register for an Adsense account.
2. Verify your email address to activate your account by clicking on the link in the email you will receive from Google Adsense.
3. Once Google has activated your account, log-in to your Adsense account.
4. Create ads to place on your website

Create Adsense Ads for Your Website

1. In the Google Adsense website, click the tab that says "Adsense Setup"
2. Click the "Adsense for Content" option.
3. To set up a normal Adsense Ad Unit, choose "Ad Unit" and select "Text Ads Only" in the dropdown box. Click the "Continue" button.
4. Choose the FORMAT for the Adsense ads that you would like to include on your website. The most popular formats are the 200x200 small square or the 250x250 square to include as part of the main content on your site, or the 120x600 skyscraper to include on the sidebar next to your main content.
5. Select the colors for your ad units to use in the display of Adsense ads on your website. The default colors are popular, but not as effective as adapting colors for headings, text and links to match the colors of your website. It is advisable to use no border and the same background color as your website so the Adsense ad units appear as part of your content rather than separate advertising.  
6. Select the "Show Public Service Ads" under the Alternate Ads options.
7. You may Preview your ad layout choices to see what your Adsense ad units will look like when displayed on your website. Ignore the ad content of the previewed ads, since it is not relevant to your website yet.
8. Click Continue.
9. Choose or create a Channel to track your Adsense Ad Units. Channels help you track ad units when you include Adsense on more than one website or in different formats. You do not have to create a Channel. Click Continue.
10. Input a name for the Adsense Ad Unit you just created. Use a name that will help you identify the purpose of topic of the website to which you will be including this Adsense ad unit.
11. Click the "Submit and Get Code" button.
12. Click in the code box to highlight the code for your Adsense ad unit. Right-click and choose "Copy" or press Ctrl-C to copy the Adsense code.
13. Locate the spot on your website page where you want Google Adsense Ads to appear. Right click and choose "Paste" or press Ctrl-V to paste the Adsense code into the HTML code of your website.
14. Save your website page and upload to your website to update your page file.

Other Adsense Options for Your Website

1. Adsense for Search is a great way to provide your visitors with a convenient way to search the internet right from your site and earn money doing it. Follow the directions in the Adsense Setup to include a Search Box on your site.
2. Adsense Link Units display a simple list of links relelvant to your content without the accompanying text. You can configure them in a variety of formats to fit into your site content, but they are most effectively used when they look like part of your navigation links in a horizontal bar across the top of your page.
3. If you would like to include video on your Website, you may want to try adding Video Units to your site to enhance the other content you have there. Click the Video Units option under the Adsense Setup tab and follow the directions to configure your video unit the way you want it to appear. The most effective formats seem to be the horizontal and vertical menu bars that offer several videos that relate to your content, or the player with the menu bar attached if you have the room on your website page.

More Help Getting Started with Google

If you would like more help getting started with Google Adsense on your website, check out other Adsense websites and Adsense blogs, or view one or more of the videos displayed on the right side of this page. Also, there are several articles about getting started with Adsense in our Adsense Articles directory.

For more information and hints about how best to utilize Adsense ads for the greatest profit, check out our directory of Adsense Articles.