Google AdSense Approval Checklist: Set Up Your Site to Earn

Unlock AdSense Earnings: Prepare Your Site for Approval (2025)

Dreaming of real passive income from your blog or site? You are not alone. Google AdSense is one of the simplest ways to earn, since it lets you show ads on your pages and get paid for clicks or views. The path looks easy, but new sites often hit quick rejections for preventable issues.

If you want approval fast in 2025, set your site up right. Use a custom domain with solid hosting, build trust pages like About, Contact, and Privacy, and publish original content that solves real problems. Keep the design clean, mobile friendly, and easy to navigate. Follow AdSense policies closely, since Google checks each site before ads can run.

The biggest blockers are thin or copied content, clunky UX, and traffic that looks fake. Google’s site-level review, rolled out widely in 2024, means every domain must pass checks, so quality and compliance are non-negotiable. Speed and stability matter too, so test your performance before you apply.

In this guide, you will learn the exact steps to get ready, from content benchmarks to layout tips to policy must-haves. You will also see what to avoid, so you do not lose weeks to avoidable rejections. Follow along, take action as you read, and get your site ready to start earning.

Helpful video for a quick overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0MkGY7VIfI

Meet the Basic Requirements to Qualify for AdSense

Before you worry about layouts and ad placements, get the basics right. Google checks who you are, where your site lives, and how reliable it is. Miss one of these, and your application stalls on day one.

Why Age and Google Account Setup Are Non-Negotiable

Google only accepts applicants who are 18 or older. Your birthday in your Google payments profile must match your legal ID. If it does not, your application will not move forward.

• How to verify age: Use your legal name and birthdate during signup, then complete your payments profile. Be ready to submit ID if Google requests it.
• Use a valid Google account: A Gmail-based account is easiest. If you manage multiple sites, keep a single owner account for AdSense.
• Secure your account: Turn on 2‑Step Verification, add recovery email and phone, and use a strong, unique password.
• Protect your privacy: Review your Google Account privacy settings. Limit account access on shared devices, and avoid using personal emails on public pages.

For an official overview of who qualifies, review Google’s own guide on AdSense eligibility requirements. It is the fastest way to avoid an instant denial.

Choosing the Right Domain and Hosting for Approval

A custom domain signals trust. A .com is simple, clear, and recognized globally. Free subdomains often look temporary, and many get rejected because they lack ownership signals.

• Domain tips: Pick a short, brandable .com. Use WHOIS privacy and set auto-renew so your site does not go dark.
• Hosting to start fast: Beginner-friendly hosts like Bluehost or SiteGround offer one-click WordPress installs, free SSL, and easy dashboards.
• Uptime and speed matter: Reviewers load your site on desktop and mobile. Frequent downtime or slow pages hurts user experience, which hurts approval odds.
• Performance basics: Enable SSL, use caching, compress images, and add a CDN. Keep plugins lean and updated.

Want a quick snapshot of budget-friendly options? This roundup of hosting providers highlights beginner picks and renewal caveats: Best Web Hosting Services of 2025.

Key takeaway: Be 18+, use a secure Google account, and run your site on a stable .com with reliable hosting. These basics build trust with Google, and they set you up for a smooth review.

Build a User-Friendly Site That Google Loves

A clean, easy site makes reviewers happy and keeps visitors around. Aim for clear structure, fast pages, and no broken or blank areas. Keep every page complete, with no “coming soon” notes. Your goal is a site that feels finished, simple, and helpful on day one.

Photo by Tranmautritam

Design Tips for Easy Navigation and Clean Layouts

Start with a lightweight WordPress theme. Astra is fast, flexible, and simple to set up. See the theme and features here: Astra – Fast, Lightweight & Customizable WordPress Theme.

Use a simple site structure:

• Top menu with 5 to 7 items, grouped by topic.
• One level of dropdowns at most, so users do not get lost.
• A visible search bar in the header for quick discovery.
• Footer with secondary links: About, Contact, Privacy, Terms, and sitemap.

Keep layouts tidy:

• Use one or two fonts, with clear hierarchy.
• Keep paragraphs short and scannable.
• Avoid pop-ups, auto-play audio, and sticky elements that block content.
• Limit widgets, banners, and promos so the main content stands out.

Quick win: Use breadcrumbs to show users where they are, and add a simple sidebar only on blog posts.

Make Your Site Mobile-Ready to Impress Reviewers

Google uses mobile-first indexing, so your phone experience sets the bar. Use a responsive theme and test your site on real devices. Google retired the old Mobile-Friendly Test, which they confirm here: The Search Console mobile friendly testing tool (retired). For checks, use your browser’s device mode, Lighthouse, or PageSpeed Insights.

Fix common issues fast:

• Resize and compress images to reduce load time.
• Use at least 16 px body text and clear contrast.
• Keep buttons large and spaced so thumbs do not tap the wrong link.
• Remove full-screen pop-ups and intrusive banners.
• Stack content in a single column on small screens.

Key tip: Design on mobile first, then refine desktop.

Add Essential Pages and Link Social Media Profiles

Build trust pages before you apply:

1. About: Who you are, what the site covers, and your story.
2. Contact: A simple form with your business email and any socials.
3. Privacy Policy: Data collection, cookies, and third-party services.
4. Terms of Service: Ownership, fair use, and disclaimers.

Place these links in both the main menu and the footer. Add social icons in the header or footer, and link only to active profiles. This shows a real brand, invites user contact, and can bring referral traffic.

Pro tip: Use a contact form plugin, add reCAPTCHA, and test submissions. Make sure every page loads without errors and feels complete.

Create Original Content That Drives AdSense Approval

Your content is the main approval factor. Aim for helpful, original posts that solve real problems for your audience. Keep your style clear, your advice practical, and your examples concrete. Quality beats volume, but you still need a solid base before you apply.

How Many Posts Do You Need and What Makes Them Quality?

Start with 15 to 20 high-quality posts, each 800 to 1,500 words. That gives reviewers depth, variety, and proof you can sustain a site. Keep every post unique, useful, and written for humans.

Strong post blueprint:

• Hooky intro: Set the problem in 2 to 4 lines. Promise a clear outcome.
• Body with scannable sections: Use subheadings, short paragraphs, and lists to guide readers.
• Actionable steps: Add checklists, examples, or mini tutorials.
• Clean conclusion: Summarize the key point and suggest a next step.

Example structure:

1. Problem intro: what readers struggle with and why it matters.
2. Step-by-step list: 5 to 7 steps, each with a quick win.
3. FAQs or common mistakes.
4. Conclusion with a simple call to action.

Do basic keyword research to attract search traffic. Use the free Google Keyword Planner to find search terms with clear intent and reasonable volume. Start here: Use Keyword Planner - Google Ads Help. Target one main keyword and a few related terms, then write naturally around them.

Polish matters. Run posts through Grammarly for grammar and clarity. Add original images or charts, and write descriptive alt text that explains the image, not just the keyword.

Avoid Common Content Pitfalls That Lead to Rejections

Google rejects sites for unsafe, copied, or spammy content. Avoid:

• Adult content, explicit images, or sexual themes
• Gambling, illegal drugs, or weapons
• Hate, harassment, or graphic violence
• Copyrighted material, torrents, or pirated downloads
• Misleading claims, thin content, or AI text with no editorial value

Run plagiarism checks before publishing. A quick scan with Copyleaks’ plagiarism checker helps you catch accidental matches and overused phrasing.

Keep your site fresh. Update old posts with new data, better examples, and improved formatting. Publish on a consistent schedule so Google sees ongoing activity. Even one post a week works if it is useful, original, and solves a clear reader problem.

Boost Traffic and Use Tools Before Applying

A quiet site looks unfinished to reviewers. Get a trickle of real users first, then set up Google’s tools so your content gets found and indexed faster.

Generate Initial Traffic Without Paid Ads

You do not need viral numbers, just clear signs of life. Aim for 100 to 200 monthly visitors before you apply. That shows Google your site is active and useful.

Try these free moves:

• Guest posts: Write one helpful article for a related blog. Link to a relevant guide or resource on your site.
• Forum and community replies: Share solutions on Reddit, Quora, and niche forums. Link only when it adds value.
• Email newsletter: Invite readers to join a simple weekly update. Promote new posts and quick tips.
• SEO basics: One keyword per post, descriptive titles, clean URLs, and internal links between related posts.
• Social shares: Post to your profiles and niche groups. Use short summaries and a clear benefit.

Want a quick playbook to promote your site for free? Review these ideas in 15 free website promotion strategies.

Track visitors with analytics so you can see what works. Watch sessions, top pages, and traffic sources.

Set Up Google Search Console for Faster Indexing

Search Console helps Google crawl and understand your site. It also shows errors you can fix fast. Follow this flow:

1. Create or sign in to your Google account.
2. Open Search Console, then click Add property.
3. Choose Domain (preferred) or URL prefix, then verify ownership (DNS, HTML file, or meta tag).
4. Generate a sitemap.xml with your CMS, or use your SEO plugin.
5. Submit the sitemap in Indexing, Sitemaps.
6. Paste new URLs into URL Inspection, then Request indexing.

This setup improves crawl coverage and highlights issues to fix early. For official steps and best practices, use Google’s guide on how to use Search Console.

Tip: Check Search Console weekly for indexing status, coverage errors, and search queries.

Apply for AdSense and What to Expect Next

Ready to hit submit? A clean application speeds things up and avoids back-and-forth. Double-check your site is stable, original, and policy-safe, then follow these steps with care.

Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Your Application

Here is the simple flow to apply. Take it one step at a time.

1. Sign in to AdSense with your Google account.
2. Enter your primary site URL, then confirm you own and manage the content.
3. Add a site platform if asked, then agree to the terms.
4. Verify ownership by placing the AdSense code on your site.
5. Complete your payments profile with accurate details.

You will be asked for:

• Full legal name and business type (individual or business)
• Address (street, city, state, postal code, country)
• Phone number and contact email
• Tax information (W-9 for U.S. persons, W-8BEN for non-U.S.)
• Preferred account type (personal or business)
• Payment method (bank account for EFT, or other local options)
• Beneficiary name that matches your bank records

Before you click submit:

• Confirm your Privacy Policy, About, Contact, and Terms pages are live.
• Remove any policy violations and thin content.
• Check speed, mobile layout, and basic SEO.
• Keep ads from other networks off-page during review if they clutter the layout.

What to expect: reviews often finish in 2 days to 2 weeks. You may see site-level checks during this window. Do not edit core templates heavily while under review.

Dealing with Rejections and Reapplying Successfully

Rejections are common. Most stem from low-value content or policy violations. Fix, improve, and try again after about two weeks.

Use this quick checklist:

• Content depth: expand posts to solve clear problems. Aim for unique angles.
• Originality: remove copied text, stock rewrites, or spun AI blur.
• Trust pages: add or improve Privacy, About, Contact, and Terms.
• Site quality: fix broken links, empty categories, or placeholders.
• Mobile UX: improve fonts, spacing, and tap targets.
• Speed: compress images, enable caching, and trim heavy plugins.
• Policy safety: remove adult topics, misleading claims, or illegal content.

Strengthen your next attempt:

• Publish 3 to 5 solid posts since the last review.
• Show real user signals with light traffic from search or socials.
• Keep a clean layout with ads disabled until approval.

Stay patient. Improve what you control, apply again, and keep your focus on helpful content.

Conclusion

You are ready to apply with confidence. Check eligibility and payments info, set up a clean .com on reliable hosting, publish original posts that solve real problems, connect Search Console and analytics, then submit a tidy application with trust pages in place.

Start today, even if you only publish one new post and fix one speed issue. Subscribe for more practical AdSense tips, or drop a comment with your progress so others can learn from you.

Early earnings are modest and real. With 1,000 to 5,000 monthly pageviews, many new sites see roughly $1 to $15 per month, with a broader range of about 50 cents to $100 depending on niche and RPM. Keep improving content and traffic, and those numbers grow steadily in 2025.