Do I really need AdSense?
In the course of our training we learned about AdSense. It sounded interesting, a way to generate a little extra income, so I plugged it into my site. I was almost immediately sorry. The ads are really intrusive. Their placement and subject matter are completely arbitrary. The graphics are often garish, tasteless, at times even offensive.
The intent of my website is a calm collegial discussion of my niche. The text is conversational. The images are subdued. Ads, generally speaking are visually “louder.” The text is more confrontational, the fonts bigger, the colors brighter, the images more eye-popping or visually arresting. They easily dominate my subtler contributions. The ads become what the website is about.
So I disabled Adsense. My website is mine again. That makes me happy, but I can’t help wondering what it’s costing me. I have no idea how much one can make from Adsense. Is it really so lucrative that it is worth the visual annoyance? Has anyone ever gotten rich of of Adsense royalties? I suspect not.
I think I’ll stick with affiliate links for my revenue stream. Affiliate links are subtle, unobtrusive, targeted by me and hopefully helpful. Maybe that decision is costing me millions. Time will tell.
Recent Comments
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I never got approved for Adsense a few mos ago and I was bummed. But now I am so glad that I didn’t. I see sites that have them and they are so intrusive and ugly.
I’ll just take my time and go with great content and affiliate links.
I would not even consider it until you are getting a lot of traffic. And even then, it won't make you much money unless your niche contains high dollar items that would be advertised.
I do not and have never used Adsense. You don't need it. You are correct that maintaining the feel of your site is probably more important anyway.
I have seen that Adsense is an easy way for people to start making a little bit of money but if you have longer range goals and can wait to make a few bucks, I would skip it. It might be great for certain types of sites, but not appropriate for others.
Kyle even recommended we wait until we have high traffic to use it anyway I think...I saw that somewhere but don't remember where.
Jessica
Hi Jim
I haven't tried adsense as I don't like seeing them on sites I visit. I take it from what you're saying that you have no control on where the ads are placed?
From what I've read ads tend to be a tiny part of the sites income. So I'm of the same mind as you - no ads from ad networks.
Thanks. It’s great to know I’m not alone in my thinking. And one of the Top 50 agrees. That’s helpful
Jim - I was never interested in Adsense.
If it's important for you to have complete control over the look, size and subject matter of any and all ads on your site (as it is for me), then steer clear of them.
I never tried for Adsense. The lovely members who had been here for years, didn't recommend it. Too much effort for too little reward.