The AdSense Factor By F. Terrence MarkleGoogle describes AdSense as "a fast and easy way for web site publishers of all sizes to display relevant Google ads on their web site's content pages and earn money." The AdSense ads displayed by Google on your site are matched to Google's interpretation of content theme of your site. In this manner, AdSense ads will be of interest to your site visitors looking for unique content your site offers to them.
AdSense is a system where Google places its AdWords ads on content pages of non-Google web sites. It is a pay-per- click (PPC) service where webmasters are paid a portion of revenue collected by Google from advertisers. The advertiser pays Google a pre-determined amount each time a web site visitor clicks on an AdSense advertisement.
AdWords is Source of AdSense Income
AdWords ads are source of all AdSense income you are able to generate. As a result, you need to fully understand AdWords system in order to appreciate how AdSense system works.
Google describes AdWords as "a quick and simple way to purchase highly targeted cost-per-click (CPC) advertising, regardless of your budget." These paid ads (sponsored links) are displayed by Google on search engine results page along with non-paid (natural results) for a given keyword search.
In order to create a Google AdWords ad, it is necessary to specify what keyword or keyword phrase must be input by visitor before your AdWords ad will be displayed. In addition, you need to set maximum amount that you will pay to Google for each click on your AdWord.
There is a nominal activation fee but Google does not have a minimum monthly charge. Google provides an account Control Center that allows you to track performance of your ad. The ad will be displayed within minutes to searchers after your account billing information has been submitted to Google.
AdWords ads must adhere to specific Google requirements. The title can contain up to 25 characters, ad text can have up to 70 characters and display URL must be less than 36 characters.
AdWords Ranking
Google will rank an AdWords ad based on maximum CPC, click through rate (CTR) and relevancy of ad text. Google prefers relevant and well-targeted AdWords ads. Google determines ad placement using value formula: CPC x CTR. The ad is placed higher as valuation rises. It’s possible for an advertiser to have a high rank position with a low CPC if CTR makes value to Google higher than other ads with a higher CPC.
Google requires a minimum CTR in order to protect AdWords program value for its users. The CTR of all AdWords ads are monitored by Google on a continuous basis. An under-performing AdWords ad may be disabled by Google if CTR does not improve.
AdSense Program
You need to apply and be accepted by Google before you can display AdSense ads on your web site. They are very particular about sites that are eligible and accepted. Google’s name is on ads and they cannot risk hurting perceived value of AdSense and AdWords programs.
Google requires you to comply with their program policies if your website is accepted into AdSense program. Otherwise, your website may be dropped from program.
Your site must be content-focused to be accepted. Google wants sites that offer high quality information or rich in relevant content. You should have lots of interesting and informative content for your site visitors.
As previously mentioned, AdSense is a program in which you get paid for your web site visitors clicking on targeted AdWords ads placed on your site. A click through is when a visitor clicks on one of ads. The ads are placed in a display box that you put on your website in a location that earns you money.
You have a chance to make a significant amount of money if AdSense box is placed in a strategic location on your site and you have sufficient targeted traffic.
The AdWords advertiser pays as little as $0.05 per click up to $100 per click depending on unique keywords. The AdWords campaigns are usually budgeted for a specific period of time by advertisers.
Contextual Advertising
Google uses proprietary algorithms to determine content on each page of your web site with an AdSense box. It will identify AdWords ads that are contextually relevant to your website visitors based on content of your site. The identified AdWords ads are then displayed in your AdSense box. The ads on your site are same ads that appear on right side of a Google search results page for a specific keyword.
Contextual advertising is process of displaying ads on a web site that are targeted to individuals visiting specific web site. The Google contextual advertising system scans content text on your web site for keywords on each web page with AdSense box. Google will display ads on each web page based on what it believes is keyword theme for that specific page.
For example, if Google determines that theme of a specific web site is about "fishing" then fishing-related AdWords ads will be displayed in AdSense box. The ads about fishing are an approximate fit to context or subject of web page as determined by Google.
Monetize Your Content Rich Website
Every webmaster with high-quality and focused web page content can monetize their knowledge and expertise by using AdSense. You need interesting and informative content on your site in order to bring free and targeted traffic to your web site and capitalize on AdSense model.