Making Content: Words for AdSense

Language, Grammar & Spelling

This is one of the largest areas of non-compliance and rejected sites that we see in the forum (usually the rejections are for a site that "doesn't comply with AdSense policy or Webmaster Guidelines", or it says something like insufficient content; or little to no useful content).  I write about this all the time; constantly ... because it is important, and hopefully if I write about it enough, publishers will get it.

Some of these problems are the result of users who choose to write in English, but whose native language isn't English. The results can be ... everything from badly written to pure gibberish, and aren't suitable for AdSense.

Although I don't want to discourage new publishers from creating content, if you aren't able to write well in English, then don't write in English. AdSense supports many other languages, so if your native language is one that is supported (see: Languages AdSense Supports) then write in your own language. (Visitors who don't read your language can choose to translate it themselves if they need the content).

Even more unfortunate (but thankfully rarer) are the people who don't read (illiterate - which doesn't make them stupid or not intelligent. Surprisingly even today when so many resources are available, there are people who cannot read at all, or only a grade 1 or 2 level.)  Without a great deal of help from others, this type of individual wouldn't be able to even come close to a suitable blog (unless purchased, but then they wouldn't be able to update ... that's a whole other issue). Best option for them would be to create content for a YouTube channel (thankfully, AdSense has opportunities for almost everyone).

YouTube Making More Changes to Publisher Accounts

In the last week or two (maybe slightly longer) the AdSense help forum has noticed a large influx of questions from YouTube publishers; lower earnings, more views but less impressions, lower CPCs, ads not showing in videos, etc. have been plaguing YouTube creators in recent weeks (a lot of complaints over the last week in particular).

According to the YouTube Creators official blog ... there are even more changes coming.  This will impact newer publishers, and smaller channels with low view rates more so than any of the larger channels though; and it may be part of the reason for some of the above complaints (at least those related to ads not appearing in newly uploaded videos).

To quote youtube's own article:

"Starting today, we will no longer serve ads on YPP videos until the channel reaches 10k lifetime views. This new threshold gives us enough information to determine the validity of a channel. It also allows us to confirm if a channel is following our community guidelines and advertiser policies. By keeping the threshold to 10k views, we also ensure that there will be minimal impact on our aspiring creators. And, of course, any revenue earned on channels with under 10k views up until today will not be impacted."

Inserting AdSense Code into Wordpress Header/Foot

In a post I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I made note that AdSense was retiring (deprecating) their official Wordpress Plugin, and linked to recommendations made by AdSense - in particular the "QuickStart" Ads option for WordPress users. That's the official recommendation, but they also indicate you can simply paste your code into a text widget, which is fine if you want to put it in a sidebar area. What that won't do is insert code into your header or footer area of your site, so when using a wordpress site to apply for AdSense (or a host account upgrade) if you aren't able to (or comfortable with) editing your php files, you may feel a little lost. There have been a fair number of users coming to the forum asking what they should do now.

I can understand this myself. I've edited php files very few times, and each time felt like I could very easily screw something up, so I'd be pretty uncomfortable editing the header file myself. For those who need an easier solution, there are other plugins available that can do that - insert codes into your header or footer. And there are themes that will allow you to do that directly from a box in the "customizing" options of your theme, without manually editing the php files.

For new wordpress users and non-coders, this might be the best option. At least until you feel comfortable editing your theme files yourself.

Adsense, US Tax Info, & W-9 Forms

Let me just say that I am NO expert in this area because I'm not an American citizen, and don't have an AdSense account with a US address. I live and work in Canada, and only visit the US for several months of the year. 

I'll attempt to address this in the simplest way, because this year, we seem to be getting a lot more (more than usual) questions about the W-9 (which AdSense doesn't offer help with) forms, and while some of the problems come from US citizens having problems with the form submission, many are from individuals who don't live in the US, and who aren't citizens in the US, and students who don't qualify to work while in the US. The latter are the issues I'm hoping to help explain a little, so this is for individuals who don't have a US-registered business; who don't live in the US; who don't have permission to work in the US. 

This information is NOT for those with US Business accounts, US citizens, Green Card Holders, etc.

AdSense is Retiring their Official Wordpress Plugin

For publishers hosting their sites on wordpress.org sites, this recent information will be of interest to them, particularly if any of you are using the official AdSense Wordpress Plugin. They'll be saying good-bye to plugin pretty soon.

Key dates

• Early March, 2017: New publishers will not be able to sign up for AdSense by using the plugin.
• Early April, 2017: Existing publishers will not be able to change their ad settings or ad units through the plugin.
• Early May, 2017: Google will no longer provide support for the plugin.

AdSense Help Center Article 

Early March has already come and gone, so any new publishers trying to sign up for AdSense through the plugin probably won't be able to, and since it will no longer be much use to publishers after the beginning of May, it doesn't make much sense to install it now. If you've tried to apply through the plugin and get an error notice, you'll probably need to re-apply at the Adsense homepage; if you applied in March through plugin and don't receive any notices from AdSense in about 4 weeks or so, I'd suggest you will probably need to reapply as well.