What are the basic requirements to get approved for a Google AdSense account?

To get approved for a Google AdSense account, your website or blog must meet several key requirements. Firstly, your content must be original, high-quality, and comply with Google’s policies. Your site should be fully functional, with clear navigation and sufficient published content (typically at least 20–30 quality posts). You must also be over 18 years old and own the rights to the website. Additionally, Google requires that your site complies with its Webmaster Guidelines and does not promote prohibited content such as adult material, violence, or copyrighted content without permission.

How much traffic do I need before applying for AdSense?

Contrary to popular belief, Google AdSense does not have a strict minimum traffic requirement. However, having some level of consistent traffic improves your chances of approval. This is because it demonstrates that your site offers value and has an engaged audience. While it's possible to get approved with low traffic, sites with daily visits, organic search presence, and engaged users often get approved more quickly.

Does my website need to be a certain age before applying for AdSense?

In some countries, especially in Asia and the Middle East, Google requires websites to be at least six months old before applying for AdSense. This policy is intended to ensure that the site is established and not created solely for monetization. However, if your content is of very high quality and you’ve built a strong user experience, some newer sites may still be considered for approval.

Can I use AdSense on a free blog or domain?

Yes, you can use AdSense on free platforms like Blogger, as long as your blog complies with all AdSense policies. However, using a custom domain (like .com or .net) typically increases your chances of approval, as it presents your site as more professional and credible. Free domains may also have restrictions depending on the platform, which can affect your ability to insert AdSense code or fully control your ad placements.

What kind of content gets rejected by AdSense?

Google AdSense is strict about content quality and policy compliance. Sites that include copyrighted material without permission, adult or explicit content, hateful speech, excessive profanity, or misleading claims are typically rejected. Also, thin content (pages with little to no original value), excessive ads, and poorly designed sites with difficult navigation are common reasons for disapproval. Google wants to see that your site offers a positive user experience and valuable information.

AdSense Account Requirements: Easy Approval Guide

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What is Google AdSense?

Google AdSense is a free program offered by Google that allows website owners to earn money by displaying ads on their content. When users click on or view those ads, publishers receive payment.

Why are AdSense account requirements important?

Before you can start earning, Google must ensure that your site is high-quality, secure, and compliant with its policies. Many first-time applicants get rejected simply because they didn’t follow the basic rules. That’s why understanding the AdSense account requirements is crucial for fast approval and long-term success.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly what you need to qualify for AdSense. From content and website traffic to layout and legal pages, we’ll cover everything you need to prepare. If you’re serious about monetising your site the right way, this guide will help you get approved faster, with fewer mistakes and no guesswork.

Key Takeaways

To be approved quickly, follow these AdSense account requirements:

A minimum of 15 to 30 blog posts, each with 800 words or more, improves AdSense approval chances. High-quality, helpful content is key to passing the manual review process.
Websites must have HTTPS, be mobile-responsive, and load quickly to be approved. Technical performance and user experience are crucial in Google’s review process.
AdSense approval typically takes 2 to 14 days, but the process can be extended if issues arise. While waiting, you can improve site quality or test AdSense alternatives.
If rejected, fix content or design issues and wait 2 to 4 weeks before reapplying. Avoid creating multiple accounts, as this violates Google AdSense policies and can result in account suspension or ban.

How Does Google AdSense Work?

Image source: Google AdSense

Google AdSense is a free advertising program that allows website owners (also called publishers) to earn money by displaying ads on their sites. When a visitor clicks or views these ads, the publisher earns a small portion of the revenue that advertisers pay Google. This makes AdSense one of the easiest ways to monetise online content, especially for bloggers, niche site owners, and news publishers.

How AdSense Works: At A Glance

Step	What Happens
Sign up for AdSense	Create a free account and link your website
Google reviews for the site	Your site must meet AdSense account requirements
Add ad code to the website	You copy and paste a code snippet onto your site
Ads display automatically	Google serves targeted ads based on your content and user interests
Earn from clicks or views	You earn money when users click or view those ads

Types of Google AdSense Ads

Image source: Webnots

Ad Type	Description
Text Ads	Simple, clickable text links relevant to your content
Display Ads	Visual ads (banners or images) placed in the content or sidebar
Video Ads	Short video clips that appear before or during media content
Responsive Ads	Auto-adjusting ads that fit different screen sizes (mobile, tablet, desktop)

Real-Life Example: How a Food Blog Earns with AdSense

Let’s say you run a recipe blog called SimplyBites.com. After approval:

Google displays ads for cookware, meal kits, or grocery deals.
When your readers click or view those ads, you earn revenue.
Even one blog post with steady traffic can generate passive income daily.

Tip: AdSense earnings increase with higher traffic and engaging, SEO-optimised content.

AdSense Account Requirements

To get approved for Google AdSense, your website must meet specific eligibility requirements. Here’s the official checklist to help you pass AdSense review on the first try.

Google AdSense Approval Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old: Google only approves accounts registered by adults (18+). Use your real legal name when signing up.
You must own a website with original content: Your site must have unique, valuable, and human-written content, not AI-generated spam or copied text.
Your website must comply with AdSense policies: Avoid adult, pirated, or illegal content. Follow Google’s Program Policies.
The website should be at least 6 months old (depending on the country): In some regions (like India, China, and Pakistan), Google prefers domains that are 6+ months old.
Sufficient traffic (not mandatory, but highly recommended): While Google doesn’t list a traffic minimum, consistent organic traffic improves your chances.
Install an HTTPS/SSL certificate: Secure websites (with a lock symbol) are trusted more and required for AdSense approval.
Have straightforward navigation and a user experience: Avoid broken links, confusing layouts, or pop-up overload. A clean, mobile-friendly design is best.
Create essential pages: Privacy Policy, About, and Contact: These build trust and show you run a legitimate, user-focused website.

Website Eligibility: What Google Looks For

To pass the AdSense review process, your website must meet specific AdSense eligibility standards. Google focuses on content quality, policy compliance, and user experience before approving any site for monetisation.

Key Website Approval Requirements for AdSense

Unique, high-quality content: Google prioritises original, informative, and well-written content. Avoid AI-only articles or clickbait. Your content should solve a user’s problem or answer a specific question.
No copyrighted or scraped content: Never copy content from other websites, even with credit. Scraped or plagiarised pages are immediate red flags and often lead to rejection.
No adult, violent, or misleading content: Content must follow family-safe guidelines. Avoid promoting hate, misinformation, gambling, or graphic material.
Minimum content requirement: 15 to 30 blog posts: Ideally, each post should be 800 to 1,000 words or more. A fuller site signals credibility and effort.
Mobile-friendliness and fast loading speeds: Your site must work smoothly across all devices. Use responsive design and optimise images to reduce load times.

Tip: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test to ensure your site meets performance standards before applying.

How to Prepare Your Site for Easy AdSense Approval

Want to get AdSense approved fast? Follow these essential steps to make your website AdSense-ready from day one. These are the exact signals Google looks for during manual and automated reviews.

Step-by-Step Preparation Checklist

Build a strong content base: Publish 15 to 30 high-quality blog posts, each with 800 to 1,000+ words. Focus on original, helpful, and SEO-optimised content that answers specific user queries.
Create core legal and trust pages: Add the following pages to your site’s footer or header:
1. About: Explain who you are and what your site offers
2. Contact: Include a contact form or email address
3. Privacy Policy: Let users know how you collect and handle data
Use a clean layout with simple navigation: Choose a fast and mobile-friendly theme with clear, intuitive menus. Avoid clutter, excessive ads, or pop-ups before approval.
Submit your site to Google Search Console: Verify ownership of your domain and request indexing. This indicates to Google that your site is real and ready for discovery.
Ensure your domain is aged (where required): In regions such as India, Pakistan, or China, Google prefers domains that are at least six months old.
Install an SSL certificate (HTTPS): Secure sites with HTTPS are mandatory for AdSense. Ensure your site displays a padlock in the browser bar.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for a Google AdSense Account

If your site is ready and meets all the requirements, here’s how to apply for an AdSense account in just a few minutes.

How to Apply for an AdSense Account (Easy and Quick Steps)

Sign in with your Gmail account: Go to Google AdSense and click “Get Started”. Log in using your active Google (Gmail) account.
Enter your website URL: Provide the full domain of your site (e.g., https://yourwebsite.com). Subdomains and certain platforms (such as Blogger and YouTube) are also supported.
Choose your site’s primary language: Select the primary language your content is written in. Only languages supported by AdSense are eligible for approval.
Submit your payment and contact information: Fill in your name, address, and payee details carefully. These must match your bank records for future payments to be processed.
Add AdSense code to your site: Google will generate a small HTML snippet. Paste it into your website’s <head> section or use a plugin if you’re on WordPress.
Wait for Google’s review (2 to 14 days): Most reviews take a few days, but they can vary by country. You’ll receive an email once your site is approved or if changes are needed.

Tip: Make sure your site remains live and unchanged during the review period to avoid delays or rejections.

How Long Does AdSense Approval Take?

If you’re wondering about AdSense approval time, the process usually doesn’t take long, provided your website meets all the requirements.

Standard AdSense Approval Timeline

Typical review time: 2 to 14 days: Most applicants receive a decision within a week. In rare cases, it may take up to four weeks, especially during peak periods or when manual review is required.
Instant approval (in some cases): Sites built on Google products, such as Blogger or YouTube, with a verified history may receive near-instant approvals.

What to Do While Waiting for AdSense Approval

Continue publishing new blog posts: Show Google that your site is active and offers ongoing value.
Check Google Search Console regularly: Fix crawl errors, page speed issues, or broken links that may hurt your site’s credibility.
Double-check AdSense code placement: Make sure you’ve correctly pasted the HTML code into the <head> section of your homepage.

Common Red Flags That Delay Approval

Thin or low-quality content (under 300 words)
Copyrighted or duplicated articles
Missing Privacy Policy, Contact, or About page
No SSL certificate (HTTPS)
Unverified site ownership in Google Search Console

What To Do If Your AdSense Application Gets Rejected?

Getting your Google AdSense application rejected can feel discouraging, but it’s often fixable. Google usually provides clear reasons, and with the right steps, you can reapply successfully.

Step 1: Review the Rejection Email Carefully

Google will send an email outlining the exact reason your site was denied. Common rejection reasons include:

Insufficient content
Policy violations (e.g., adult, copyrighted, or misleading material)
Site navigation issues
No Privacy Policy, Contact, or About pages

Tip: Compare your site to Google’s AdSense Program Policies for full compliance.

Step 2: Fix Content, Navigation, or Technical Issues

Update or rewrite low-quality articles. Aim for 800+ words per post.
Improve site speed and mobile-friendliness.
Add missing pages (About, Contact, Privacy Policy).
Ensure content is unique and helpful.

Use tools like Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights to check performance and usability issues.

Step 3: Wait Before Reapplying

Avoid rushing. Wait at least 2 to 4 weeks before reapplying to show meaningful improvements. Submitting too soon may result in repeated rejections.

Important: Don’t Create Multiple AdSense Accounts

Creating multiple accounts is a violation of Google’s Terms of Service. Always reapply using the same Gmail account, even if you change domains.

Pro Tip: Join forums like AdSense Help Community for real-world advice and feedback from other publishers.

AdSense Alternatives While Waiting for Approval

If you’re still waiting for approval or your AdSense application was rejected, don’t let your traffic go to waste. Several trusted AdSense alternatives can help you start monetising immediately, with no approval delays, and some even accept brand-new sites.

Best AdSense Alternatives for Beginners

Ezoic (AdSense Certified Publishing Partner)

AI-driven ad optimisation
Requires some traffic (5000+ monthly visits recommended)
Offers higher RPM than AdSense for many niches
Great for content sites already getting traction

Media.net

Yahoo-Bing network alternative
Works best with US/UK traffic
Native, contextual ads that blend with content
A solid AdSense alternative with decent payout thresholds

PropellerAds

Allows monetisation of new sites
Supports pop-unders, push notifications, and native ads
Easy setup and fast approval
Ideal for websites with low to moderate traffic

Other Ways to Monetise While Waiting for AdSense

Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services via platforms like Amazon Associates, Impact, or ShareASale. Earn commission for every sale or lead.
Newsletter Monetisation: Start collecting emails and offer sponsored content, affiliate links, or even sell your products. Tools like Substack or ConvertKit make this easy for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the minimum requirements for AdSense?

To get approved for AdSense, you must be 18+ years old, own a website with original content, and ensure your site follows Google’s AdSense Program Policies. Your site should have straightforward navigation, a Privacy Policy, and be secured with HTTPS.

Can I apply for AdSense without a website?

No, you need a content-based website to apply for AdSense. Exceptions include YouTube creators and Blogger users who can monetise via AdSense directly on those platforms once they meet platform-specific eligibility.

How many posts do I need for AdSense approval?

There is no official number, but it’s recommended to have 15 to 30 high-quality blog posts, each with a minimum of 800 words. Focus on helpful, original, and SEO-optimised content that adds value to users.

How long does AdSense approval take?

Approval typically takes 2 to 14 days, depending on the quality, traffic, and compliance of your website. In some cases, it may take up to 4 weeks if a manual review is required.

What if my AdSense account gets disapproved?

Review the rejection reason in your email, fix the issues (e.g., low-quality content, missing pages, or policy violations), and wait 2 to 4 weeks before reapplying. Never create a second account because this violates Google’s policies.

About the Author

Tom Koh

Tom is the CEO and Principal Consultant of MediaOne, a leading digital marketing agency. He has consulted for MNCs like Canon, Maybank, Capitaland, SingTel, ST Engineering, WWF, Cambridge University, as well as Government organisations like Enterprise Singapore, Ministry of Law, National Galleries, NTUC, e2i, SingHealth. His articles are published and referenced in CNA, Straits Times, MoneyFM, Financial Times, Yahoo! Finance, Hubspot, Zendesk, CIO Advisor.

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