If you want to monetize your blog, Google Adsense is a great option. Once you have Google approval for one blog, you can add it to other sites without having to ask for approval each time. You do need to be sure you’re following Google’s TOS (terms of service).
Getting Approval From Google
The fastest way to get approval from Google is to show them what your plans are. Start a blog and post regularly in it before you apply for approval. Wait a few weeks before you apply so Google can see regular posting and content on your site. If you send in an application and don’t show Google that your website is valuable, you might not get approved. They do want to maintain integrity in their program and if you look like a spammer or splogger, you won’t get very far.
How much money can you make on Google?
Google doesn’t reveal their formula for money making potential but there are website owners and bloggers that have significant Google earnings. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by trying to make all your money from one online source but adding Google to your multiple streams of income is a great idea.
About Sean Rasmussen
Hi Sean,
Well I have that right but it was from more good luck than good management as I only found I could use the same code on all my sites by accident so all’s good there.
Hello Sean,
I need to look into Getting Approved. It makes sense to have it on your blog, because if you have traffic and you are attracting attention – then you should have all the applications added so that blogging can become a paid pastime (passion).
Love knowing more and more from your head of knowledge.
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Sean,
I am looking forward to the time when it will all come together for me and I will know what I am doing to have a successful blog up and running.
Thanks for this great info, loving it!
Hi Sean,
I am approved to use Google Adsense but as yet, I haven’t used it. Just after I was approved I read a post that said I would probably do better if I used a few well placed affiliate product ads than I would using Adsense. This was said by someone I have a lot of respect for so that’s the reason for my hesitation.
I think their reasoning was that with Adsense, you don’t have any control over the ads that Google places on your blog. Sometimes, it might be a bit of a reach for the ads to actually relate to your content, even though they’re supposed to be contextually targeted to your site. Thus, the reasoning that choosing your own affiliate products will produce better results. Sean, do you have any advice that will help me decide?
Why not have both. Even if adsense doesn’t make you a fortune, the reveue will increase as you add more and more quality content. I look it as the cream on the top. Revenue without work.
You can get a sort of control on the ads – if you have well chosen keywords and matching content. I also look for the high paying KWs to seed into it, but then need to be careful that content, title etc match.
I was approved pretty rapidly. Initially I had Adsense installed on my sites but have since moved to banner advertisements and removed the Adsense. I didn’t want to appear too spammy
I use Google Adsense on one of my sites, but it doesn’t bring in that much as of yet. The ads displayed are on topic, but somehow no one clicks them …
You should take a look at some of the white papers that Google release regarding adsense Renee. They offer some great tips on placements, colours to use, which ads perform better, etc. It wont skyrocket your revenue, but it may increase your CTR.
Good tip Cemil. Also, there is a really handy Adsense ‘heatmap’ that Google have released that can help regarding where to place the ads: https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=17954
Going back to Jazz’s comment. Personally I think there is no doubt having Google Adsense is ideal for helping to monetize your blog. Having an affiliate product or not having an affiliate product shouldn’t matter. If I am understanding the use of the ads. They are chosen by Google based on your keywords and that’s where good SEO comes into play for your blog. The ads will be still relevant to your content.
It doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of both in my opinion Helen. And yes, the Adwords ads will be relevant to your blog topic and content.
Hi Helen
You make a good point there, that the adds are chosen by Google and Google match their adds to your keywords, so there would be some good SEO attraction for starters.
I am getting to understand how all of this works.
I’ve been considering using Adsense on my Genealogy site. However, the front page of the site frequently displays obituaries and eulogies.
The question is: am I going to be displaying Adsense ads for Funeral Homes and morticians’ supplies?
That would likely chase away some of the visitors. 
Ha! Try it and see – would be an interesting exercise to see how the keywords and content work!
You may even find that you might get adverts from newspapers for submitting classifieds as well as genealogy companies – or even a mix. Depends on the KW’s, LSI and who is the highest bidder.
Hi Sean
I have only recently learned that it takes about 3 months to be approved by adsense so I will have to get my blog up and running as I will be needing adsense for my LCM sites.
I will take your advice to Helen and try a couple of adsense ads on my affiliate marketing site and see how it goes. You don’t know until you try and there is no cost for having a trial run.
Adsense can create a steady stream of income once you have set it up properly – but as pointed it is vital that you keep within the rules to avoid the “Google Slap”.