Update: I got an e-mail from the Google ad team asking me to remove the first paragraph of this entry because it was encouraging people to click on ads and not likely to gain customers for advertisers. I can see their point, but was surprised at the e-mail nonetheless. It’s good to see them watching out for the benefit of their advertisers though, and I respect that.
The text ads are far more effective than traditional banner ads because the advertisements are based on page content. In other words, if the page is about cars, the advertisements will be car-related. That dramatically increases the click-through rate which means the webmaster gets more money and the user isn’t annoyed by tacky flashing banners advertising hidden cameras. Sadly, ads are not allowed on personal sites so you’ll have to find another way to get rich through blogging.
Interesting. Do you have a tax id? I was looking through their FAQ and they will eventually require tax ids to be submitted.
Speaking of coins, doncha wish that 1913 nickel was yours?
I listed my company as individual and was hoping that my social security number would suffice. If not, I could try to get a tax ID (at least it doesn’t cost anything).
I wouldn’t mind a 1913 nickel or an 1804 dollar or a 1933 Double Eagle.
doh!
Dan,
Are you sure about your statement about “personal sites”? Google says that “personal pages” cannot contain the ads … I’m splitting hairs, but I’m sure I’ve seen these textads on blogs (see Oliver Willis’ blog for one example).
That’s very interesting. I didn’t consider personal sites and pages to be different, but maybe Google does.
When I registered they had to verify the site, so maybe I could register my blog and see if they accept it. I don’t see why they would reject places to advertise, as it only makes more money for them.
By the way, thank you all for clicking the links. You racked up $13 for the day.
We have started a NEW Open Database for Google Ad Sense Publishers. Our mission is to locate other “micro content” web sites trying to monetize their content using Google’s Ad Sense!
Open Database of Google Ad Sense Publishers
http://www.adsense.homestead.com
I think “personal site” is a euphemism for “sites of people who have nothing to say.” Oliver Willis is definitely not one of them, he is in fact influential–and many other blogs have Google ads on them. Blogging is the new journalism.
They approve the first site on a case-by-case basis, so I could put them on my blog if I wanted to. However, their new policy says, “In general, we do not accept personal pages, chat sites, or blogs into the AdSense program. However, if a site contains targeted, text-based content and/or provides a product or service, we may consider it for participation.”
I think google adsense is not for small sites, if you want to get money will be necesary a big traffic… Is it the end of the traditional sponsor companies?
It depends what you consider high traffic. I often get less than 1,000 page views a day, and yet I’ll be getting a check for over $200 for the past month. That’s way more than any affiliate I’ve ever seen.
It depends if your site promotes specific words. i think adsense doesn´t work in a normal site with 1k daily visits.
I have written an article on Adsense when it was just launched.I was perhaps the first to notice it’s potential.Belive me as the Affiliate ROI reduces because of new entrants,the more adsense becomes lucrative.It’s full dependence on Clicks makes it far better option then anything else.