However, there is more to profiting from your content than just joining program and pasting ads randomly on page. For one, content of your page must be useful to readers (to keep them coming back) and at same time valuable to advertisers. Website hosting, for example, is a consistently profitable phrase. Of course, that field has become crowded now. The key remains to find an untapped niche.

Also, sites are limited to three units on a page so as to not overwhelm readers. Positioning is crucial. Studies show that most viewed area of a page is toward top and left (think of where you normally start reading). Placing ads right after content or embedding them in articles are also effective techniques. Google has examples of placement to guide you once you join AdSense.

Last, but just as important, is appearance of AdSense units. The program allows their colors to be customized to match look of your site. Use this ability to make ads look like rest of links on your site and be sure to match background color as well. Visitors will respond better as they see will give text a chance instead of unconsciously rejecting them as advertisements.

There is a lot more to explore and experiment with, but by now you should have a general idea of how AdSense works. Good luck!

Of course, even if you don’t have a site you can still take advantage of this program to make money. One common technique is to sign up as an Amazon Associate (their free affiliate program) and make ads on AdWords using their links as destination. Essentially, you are paying a few cents for every click you send to Amazon, but are receiving a percentage of every purchase made on site. Moreover, you can use Amazon’s ad copy and product titles to make your ad. If done correctly, this alone can be a successful business.

There is a lot more to explore and experiment with, remember: advertising is an art, not a science, but by now you should have a general idea of how AdWords works. Good luck!