How Do I Qualify For Google AdSense?

If you’re thinking about making money from your blog or website, chances are you’ve heard about Google AdSense. It’s one of the easiest and most trusted ways to earn passive income online.

You place ads on your site, and Google pays you when people view or click them. Sounds simple, right? But getting approved for AdSense isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

I’ve seen so many people apply, get rejected, and have no clue why. So I decided to break it all down—no tech jargon, no guessing, just clear, real-world advice.

If you’re asking yourself, “How do I qualify for Google AdSense?”, you’re already on the right track. Let’s walk through everything you need to know.

What Is Google AdSense?

Google AdSense is a free program by Google that lets you earn money by displaying ads on your website, blog, or even YouTube channel.

You don’t need to talk to advertisers or manage ad inventory—Google handles all of that for you.

Once you’re approved, you just copy and paste a bit of code into your site.

Google starts showing ads, and you start earning money based on impressions (how many times the ad is seen) or clicks (how many times someone clicks the ad).

Simple on paper, but there are some very clear rules and steps to qualify.

Why Should You Even Care About AdSense?

AdSense can be a solid source of passive income—especially if your website already gets decent traffic. Even small blogs can earn something, and with the right content and audience, you can scale that up.

Some bloggers make a few hundred dollars a month. Some earn thousands. But you don’t get there without passing the first (and sometimes most frustrating) hurdle: getting approved.

How Do I Qualify for Google AdSense?

Here’s the checklist I give to anyone asking this question. You don’t need to be a pro, but you do need to get a few key things right.

1. You Need Your Website or Blog

First off, you need a live site. Google won’t approve you if your blog is empty or under construction. Make sure:

Your site has real, valuable content.
It’s easy to navigate.
There are no “coming soon” pages.
It’s publicly accessible and mobile-friendly.

If you’re applying with a YouTube channel, the process is slightly different and goes through YouTube Studio, not directly through AdSense.

2. Original and High-Quality Content Is Non-Negotiable

Google wants to show ads on sites that offer something useful. That means:

Write your articles (don’t copy from other sites).
Focus on helpful, clear writing.
Cover topics people are searching for.
Aim for at least 20-30 posts before applying.

Each post should be at least 500 words, but quality matters more than word count.

Google’s algorithm can detect spun or low-quality content. So don’t use AI tools without editing and adding your personal touch.

3. Your Site Should Be at Least 6 Months Old (Sometimes)

In countries like India, China, or Pakistan, Google typically wants to see a site that’s at least 6 months old. In other regions, this isn’t always required.

That said, having a few months of consistent publishing history helps build trust with Google.

4. Have Essential Pages Set Up

These pages help show that you’re running a real, trustworthy site:

About Page – Explain who you are and what your site is about.
Contact Page – Include an email, social handles, or a form.
Privacy Policy – A simple policy explaining how you collect and use visitor data. You can use this free privacy policy generator if needed.
Terms of Service (optional but good to have)

These pages don’t need to be complicated. Just be clear and honest.

5. Follow Google’s Content Policies

Google has strict rules about what kind of content is allowed. You won’t get approved if your site has:

Adult or violent content
Copyrighted material (movies, music, images, etc.)
Hateful or misleading information
Excessive profanity

Stick to clean, useful content that helps your audience. You can read the full list of content policies here.

6. You Need to Be At Least 18 Years Old

If you’re under 18, you can still run a site, but the AdSense account must be created in the name of a parent or guardian.

7. Decent Traffic Helps, But It’s Not Required

There’s no minimum traffic requirement to get approved for AdSense. But more traffic usually means more chances to earn.

Still, even a small site with good content can qualify. Google’s focus is on quality and compliance—not size.

8. Your Website Must Use a Supported Language

Google AdSense supports many languages, but not all. Make sure your content is written in one of their supported languages. You can check the full list here.

9. Use a Professional Domain Name and Design

You don’t need a fancy design, but your site should look clean and organized. Also:

Avoid free subdomains like yourblog.blogspot.com
Buy a custom domain (like yoursite.com)
Use a simple layout with easy-to-read fonts

This builds trust with Google and with your visitors.

10. No Broken Links or Placeholder Text

Go through your site before applying:

Fix any broken links
Remove “Lorem Ipsum” text
Make sure all pages are complete and work well on mobile

A tidy site gives you the best shot at approval.

How to Apply for Google AdSense

Once you’ve gone through the checklist above, here’s how you apply:

Go to https://www.google.com/adsense/start
Sign in with your Google account
Enter your website URL
Connect your site by adding the AdSense code to your header
Wait for approval (usually takes a few days to a week)

If you’re rejected, don’t panic. Google usually explains why, and you can fix the issues and reapply.

How Much Can You Make With AdSense?

This varies a lot. Your earnings depend on:

Your traffic
Where your visitors are from
Your niche
Click-through rate (CTR)

According to recent data from MonetizeMore, the average RPM (revenue per thousand impressions) ranges from $0.25 to $25 depending on niche and audience location.

For example:

Finance blogs can earn $15–$25 RPM
Lifestyle blogs may earn $1–$5 RPM
Gaming sites usually land on the lower end

More info here: https://www.monetizemore.com/blog/adsense-rpm-rates/

FAQs

Do I need a custom domain to qualify?

It’s highly recommended. Free domains like .blogspot or .wordpress may work, but a custom domain gives you more control and looks more professional.

How long does it take to get approved?

It usually takes between 2–7 days, but sometimes it can take longer.

Can I use AdSense on a site built with Wix or Squarespace?

Yes, but not all site builders allow full access to your site’s code. You may need a paid plan to add the AdSense verification code.

Will Google accept a new blog with just a few posts?

It’s possible, but rare. I recommend having at least 20 posts with strong, useful content before applying.

Can I reapply if I’m rejected?

Yes. Fix the issues mentioned in the rejection email and try again after a couple of weeks.

Final Thoughts

Qualifying for Google AdSense isn’t hard—but it does take some planning. If you focus on quality content, a clean design, and a trustworthy website, you’ll have a solid shot at getting approved.

Getting turned down doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means there’s something to fix—and now you know how to fix it.

So now that you know what it takes…

How do you plan to qualify for Google AdSense?