When I first applied for Google AdSense, I was hopeful—but not fully prepared. Like many beginner bloggers, I believed that writing decent content and getting a few views was enough to qualify. I was wrong.
My application got rejected with a simple but frustrating message:
"Your account wasn't approved. You need to fix some issues before you can use AdSense."
At first, I didn’t understand what I did wrong. But after some digging—and a bit of hard truth—I realized that my blog wasn’t as AdSense-ready as I thought. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I cleaned up my blog, step by step, to give it the best shot at getting approved.
🧹 Step 1: Removing Violating Content
After reading Google’s policies carefully, I discovered that a few affiliate posts I had written were promoting adult content through third-party affiliate networks. Even though the content wasn’t explicit, the links led to adult-related websites—and that’s a big no in Google’s eyes.
This kind of content violates AdSense’s Adult Content Policy, and even one or two such links can get your entire site disqualified.
✅ What I did:
-
Deleted all posts containing adult affiliate links
-
Removed banners or widgets that linked to external adult/NSFW sites
-
Went through each blog post to make sure my links aligned with Google’s policies
Lesson: Clean links = clean chances. If you're using affiliate marketing, make sure the products or services are AdSense-friendly.
📄 Step 2: Adding Required Pages
One major thing missing from my blog was professionalism. I had no About Page, Contact Page, or Privacy Policy—all of which Google checks for when reviewing your site.
These pages prove that your blog is trustworthy, transparent, and operated by a real person.
✅ What I added:
-
About the Author: A personal introduction explaining who I am, what my blog is about, and why I write.
-
Contact Page: A simple form with my email address and a message field so readers (and Google) can reach me.
-
Privacy Policy: A clear outline of how my site collects, uses, and protects user data. I generated one using a free Privacy Policy generator.
Lesson: Treat your blog like a business. Show Google (and readers) that you take their trust seriously.
🏗️ Step 3: Improving Navigation and Design
At first, my blog layout was a bit messy. Posts weren’t easy to find, and there were broken or dead links scattered across my sidebar. Google pays attention to how clean and user-friendly your site is—not just how much content it has.
✅ What I fixed:
-
Organized blog posts by category/label
-
Added a top menu with direct links to important pages
-
Removed broken links, unused widgets, and unnecessary ads
-
Chose a cleaner, mobile-friendly Blogspot theme
Lesson: Simple, clean, and easy-to-navigate blogs do better in AdSense reviews. Google loves user experience.
📝 Step 4: Creating Better Content
Even though I had written over 15 blog posts, not all of them were high quality. Some were short, lacked structure, or didn’t really offer value to readers. Google values original, meaningful, and well-written content.
✅ What I improved:
-
Rewrote weak posts to make them longer and more engaging
-
Added images where necessary
-
Focused on storytelling, clarity, and adding personal insights
-
Proofread posts for spelling and grammar mistakes
Lesson: Google isn’t just scanning your blog for content—it’s judging its quality. Make each post worth reading.
📈 Step 5: Checking My Blog’s Traffic and Activity
When I applied for AdSense the first time, I had only 1,100 views and about 15 posts. While there’s no minimum traffic requirement, having more visitors and consistent posting helps prove your blog is active and growing.
By the time I reapplied, I had nearly 2,000 views and 20+ posts.
✅ What I did:
-
Promoted my blog on social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram)
-
Shared links in relevant forums and blogging communities
-
Asked friends and readers to check out my latest posts
-
Continued posting regularly with fresh content
Lesson: Google wants to see an active blog, not a parked one. Consistency shows you’re serious about what you do.
💡 Bonus Tips for Anyone Applying to AdSense
-
Avoid copyrighted images or content – Use royalty-free images or create your own.
-
Stick to your niche – Having a focused niche helps Google categorize and evaluate your content better.
-
Check mobile responsiveness – Use themes that look good on phones and tablets.
-
Enable HTTPS – Google prefers secure sites. Most Blogspot URLs already use HTTPS, but make sure it's turned on.
📤 Reapplying to AdSense
Once I had completed all the steps above, I felt much more confident. I double-checked everything, made sure my site looked professional, and hit “Request Review” again in my AdSense dashboard.
Now, I’m waiting for a response—but this time, I know I’ve done my part.
🙏 Final Thoughts: Clean Blog, Clear Mind
Cleaning up my blog wasn’t just about getting AdSense approval—it was about leveling up as a creator. I now have a site I’m proud of, one that truly reflects my voice and values. And I want to help others avoid the mistakes I made early on.
If you’re a blogger dreaming of monetization, take the time to build a solid foundation. It’s worth it—not just for the approval, but for the pride you’ll feel in your work.
📢 Support My Journey
If you found this helpful or inspiring, please share this post and check out more stories on my blog. Every click and share brings me closer to my goals—and encourages me to keep writing.
👉 Visit my blog here: https://jamesautreystories.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading—and good luck on your AdSense journey!
Comments
Post a Comment