Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Apply for AdSense: Website Standards You Must Meet (2025)

Turning your site into a steady earner feels great, and AdSense is the simplest way to start. Google AdSense matches your pages with ads and pays you for valid clicks and views. It is free to join, but approval is strict, so the basics must be solid.

In October 2025, Google expects clear signals of trust and quality. That means original content that answers user needs, a clean layout, fast load times, and a mobile-friendly design. You also need core pages like About, Contact, Privacy Policy, and Terms, plus a site that follows Google’s content and ad policies.

Traffic quality matters more than raw numbers. Real visitors beat bot spikes every time. A custom domain, consistent formatting, and sensible internal links also help you look ready.

In this guide, you will learn the standards that matter most, from content depth and site structure to policy compliance and ad experience. You will see what to fix first, what to avoid, and how to submit with confidence, so you can raise your approval odds fast.

Pick the Perfect Domain to Boost Your AdSense Chances

Your domain signals trust before anyone reads a word. A clean, custom top-level domain like .com or .net looks stable, brands well, and helps reviewers see you as the site owner. Free subdomains often feel temporary or hobby-level, which can hurt approval. While domain age is not a strict rule, a domain that has been live for a few months looks more established when paired with consistent publishing. Always match your setup with the AdSense eligibility requirements.

Avoid Common Domain Mistakes That Lead to Rejection

Using a free subdomain is the biggest misstep. Examples include:

• myblog.blogspot.com or myblog.wordpress.com instead of myblog.com
• Hyphen-heavy or spammy names, like best-free-movie-downloads-2025.net
• Irrelevant or confusing TLDs for your niche

Pick a domain that is short, easy to say, and easy to type. Choose .com first, .net or a trusted country TLD next. Avoid hyphens and random numbers. Buy through a reputable registrar and turn on privacy protection to reduce spam.

If you are on Blogger or WordPress.com, migrate to a custom domain before you apply. This is safe and keeps your content. Here is a simple plan that works:

1. Choose and register your domain. Keep it brandable and under 15 characters if possible. Many registrars run promos, so you can often register for under 10 to 15 dollars the first year.
2. Connect DNS to your host or platform. Add the A and CNAME records your platform provides.
3. Set HTTPS. Force SSL so every page loads over secure URLs.
4. Pick one version, www or non-www. Redirect the other to avoid duplicates.
5. Implement 301 redirects from the old subdomain to the new domain. Most platforms offer built-in mapping.
6. Update Google Search Console and Analytics. Resubmit your XML sitemap on the new domain.
7. Fix internal links and canonicals. Update menus, logos, and footer links.
8. Add ads.txt early. Host it at yourdomain.com/ads.txt when you are ready to monetize.
9. Check performance and mobile layout. Run a speed test and fix obvious blockers.

Tip on timing: publish 10 to 20 solid posts, then keep a steady cadence for a few months. While age alone does not guarantee approval, many publishers see smoother reviews once the domain and content show consistent activity, which aligns with common guidance on approval patterns reported by publishers in 2025, like this overview on older vs new domains and approval odds (How To Get Google AdSense Approval In 2025).

Build High-Quality Content That Google Loves

High-quality, original content is the clearest trust signal you can send. Reviewers look for depth, clarity, and consistency. Aim to answer real user questions, not just rank for keywords. If a visitor leaves feeling informed, your AdSense chances rise.

How Much Content Do You Really Need?

Publish enough content to show breadth and depth without padding. A strong baseline for new sites is 15 to 30 articles, each 800 to 1500 words. This range gives room to cover core topics and demonstrate consistent quality.

What counts as substantial content:

• In-depth guide: Step-by-step tutorial that solves a full problem, includes examples, screenshots, FAQs, and internal links. Example: “Beginner’s Guide to Budgeting With Google Sheets.”
• Explainer: Clear breakdown of a concept with pros, cons, and use cases. Example: “What Is Lossless Audio and Why It Matters.”
• Comparison or review: Honest, criteria-based review with real testing or hands-on notes. Example: “Pixel 9 vs iPhone 16: Battery, Camera, Price.”
• Short notes or thin posts: Quick tips without context or value, such as a 200-word listicle, often look weak. Save these for social, not your main site.

Suggested mix for a balanced library:

• 6 to 10 in-depth guides, 1200 to 1500 words
• 6 to 12 explainers or how-tos, 900 to 1200 words
• 3 to 8 reviews or comparisons, 800 to 1200 words

Sample content calendar (4 weeks, 3 posts per week):

• Week 1: Guide, explainer, review
• Week 2: Guide, how-to, comparison
• Week 3: Explainer, review, guide
• Week 4: How-to, explainer, roundup with original takeaways

Niche topic prompts you can adapt:

• Tech: “Set Up a Home NAS for Backups,” “Best Budget ANC Headphones Under 100,” “How to Move From Windows to Linux Without Losing Files.”
• Lifestyle: “Meal Prep for Busy Parents, 7-Day Plan,” “Apartment Cleaning Checklist That Takes 30 Minutes,” “Beginner Strength Plan With No Gym.”

Why this helps with AdSense in 2025:

• Originality, topic coverage, and user-first value align with quality checks.
• A steady cadence signals you are an active publisher, not a parked domain.
• Depth reduces bounce, which supports better engagement metrics.

Tips for Creating Original Content from Scratch

Start with simple, repeatable steps so each post is unique and useful.

Practical workflow:

1. Define the user need: Who is this for, what problem are you solving, what outcome will they get?
2. Research: Read top results, product docs, and forums. Note gaps you can fill, such as missing steps or unclear terms.
3. Create an outline: Headings that mirror user intent, like Overview, Steps, Examples, FAQs.
4. Add first-hand value: Screenshots, tests, samples, quotes from your use, or a mini case study. Even small personal data points help.
5. Write, then simplify: Short sentences, plain words, active voice.
6. Optimize: Add a clear title, meta description, scannable headings, internal links to related posts, and a concise summary.
7. Fact check and polish: Use tools like Grammarly for grammar and clarity, and a plagiarism checker to confirm originality.
8. Final pass on trust signals: Cite sources when needed, add author expertise notes, and include dates for freshness.

Avoid AI pitfalls:

• Pure AI text can read generic, repeat others, or miss nuance. It may trigger quality reviews if it looks templated or mismatched to your site’s voice.
• If you use AI for brainstorming, rewrite in your own words, add first-hand detail, and fact check every claim.
• Keep a consistent human voice, with examples and opinions that reflect your experience.

What reviewers want to see:

• Clear authorship and a steady tone across posts
• Accurate information, updated as products or policies change
• Actionable steps, not filler
• Original images or marked-up screenshots when relevant

Quick quality checklist before you publish:

• Does the post fully answer the core question?
• Are there steps or examples someone can follow today?
• Is the reading level friendly and free of fluff?
• Did you include internal links to related posts that add value?

Aim to be helpful first. When readers stay longer, bookmark your guides, and share them, you look ready for AdSense.

Set Up Your Site Technically for Smooth Approval

A fast, stable site with clean navigation signals trust. Reviewers should find your key pages, read your content without errors, and move around with no friction. Focus on the basics first, then polish. Think of this as tuning your house before hosting guests.

Essential Pages Every AdSense Site Must Have

Google wants to see a real business behind your content. These pages build trust and meet policy expectations. Use them in your header and footer so they are easy to find. Review what AdSense expects on the official Eligibility requirements for AdSense.

Required pages and what to include:

• About Us: Who you are, what your site covers, and why it exists. Add author names, short bios, location or service area, and social links if relevant.
• Contact: A contact form plus a real email. Add response time, business hours, and optional links to social profiles. If you accept pitches or support requests, state it clearly.
• Privacy Policy: How you collect, use, and store data. Include cookies, analytics, and third-party ads. Mention AdSense and how users can manage consent.
• Terms of Service: Ownership, acceptable use, disclaimers, and liability limits. If you publish reviews or affiliate content, cover disclosures and refund policies for your own products or services.

Quick template prompts you can adapt:

• About Us: “We help [audience] with [topic]. Founded in [year], we publish [type of posts]. Our goal is [benefit].”
• Contact: “Use the form below, or email us at [email]. We reply within [timeframe].”
• Privacy: “We use cookies for analytics and ads. Third parties may use cookies to serve ads based on prior visits. Manage your preferences in our cookie banner.”
• Terms: “By using this site, you agree to our rules. Do not scrape or republish content without permission.”

How to add these in WordPress:

1. Go to Pages, Add New, then create About, Contact, Privacy Policy, and Terms.
2. Contact page: install a form plugin like WPForms or Contact Form 7, add a simple form, and test it.
3. Privacy Policy: WordPress has a built-in generator. Edit it to add AdSense and analytics details.
4. Menus: go to Appearance, Menus, then add these pages to your main menu and footer menu.
5. Footer: add links to Privacy and Terms in a footer menu or widget for easy access on every page.

Pro tip: Make your homepage clear and content-rich. A thin or empty homepage can stall approval, which aligns with reports discussed in this thread on Home Page requirement for Adsense Approval.

Make Your Site Load Fast and Work on All Devices

Speed and mobile usability affect both users and earnings. A slow site hurts clicks and review scores. Fix common bottlenecks first, then test on real phones.

High-impact quick wins:

• Compress images: Export images at the size you display them. Use WebP or AVIF where possible, and keep hero images under 200 KB.
• Lazy load media: Load images and video only when visible. Most modern themes support this by default.
• Cache pages: Enable page caching and browser caching. On WordPress, use a lightweight caching plugin.
• Minify and combine: Minify CSS and JS, and defer noncritical scripts. Remove unused CSS from heavy page builders if possible.
• Use a CDN: Serve static assets from a CDN near your users. Start with your host’s built-in CDN if available.
• Reduce plugins: Disable anything you do not need. Audit plugin impact with performance reports, then replace heavy plugins with lighter options.
• Preload key assets: Preload your main font files and above-the-fold CSS so content appears fast.
• Clean navigation: Keep your header simple, add a search bar, and keep menus short. Users should find core pages in one or two clicks.

Free tools to test and fix:

• Page speed: Run Google PageSpeed Insights and WebPageTest. Review Core Web Vitals and largest contentful paint.
• Mobile checks: Use Mobile-Friendly Test, then open your pages on iOS Safari and Android Chrome to confirm tap targets and font sizes.
• Broken links: Scan for 404s and fix them before you apply.

Example workflow for a faster homepage:

1. Replace the hero image with a compressed WebP at exact display size.
2. Turn on lazy loading and page caching.
3. Defer third-party scripts until user interaction, like share buttons or chat widgets.
4. Cut one slider or animation that blocks rendering.
5. Re-test. Aim for a green score on mobile and clean Core Web Vitals.

Keep it stable as you grow. When you publish new content, run a quick speed test, click your menus, and read your core pages on a phone. A site that feels quick, clear, and trustworthy sets you up for a smoother AdSense review. For more context on readiness, see this practical overview of approval patterns in 2025, 7 Proven Strategies for Google AdSense Approval in 2025.

Stay Compliant with Policies and Optimize for SEO

AdSense approval in 2025 boils down to two things: follow policies without shortcuts, and show you know the basics of SEO. Think of compliance as your license to operate, and SEO as the signal that your site is worth users’ time. Do both, and you reduce risk while raising trust.

Key Google Policies to Follow Closely

Google expects a safe, honest, family-friendly site experience. If you publish content that violates policy or create a tricky ad experience, approval stalls or accounts get limited. Review the rules and build your site to meet them from day one. For a quick policy backdrop, see the official overview in Google Ads policies.

Core areas to get right:

• No adult content or sexual imagery, and no explicit thumbnails.
• No hate, violence, or shocking content. Avoid graphic injury photos or violent clips.
• No illegal activity. Skip hacks, cracked software, or drug sales.
• No weapons or explosives sales content.
• No misleading claims, fake buttons, or click-bait that tricks users.
• No scraped, auto-generated, or duplicate content. Publish original work.
• No invalid clicks. Do not ask users to click ads or use bots.
• No harmful experiences. Avoid malware, forced downloads, and spammy pop-up traps.
• Ad experience matters. Ads should not cover content or push users to scroll to read.

Clear examples help. Use this as a quick check before you apply.

Tip for ad placements:

• Keep ads away from navigation buttons and form controls.
• Use standard placements, like in-content after the first paragraph and in the sidebar.
• Test on mobile. If an ad blocks text, move it.

If you are unsure about sensitive content or ad behavior, scan recent threads and updates in the AdSense Community before you publish.

Simple SEO Steps to Make Your Site Stand Out

Basic SEO shows reviewers that your site is organized, crawlable, and built for users. You do not need advanced tactics. Nail the fundamentals and keep it consistent. For reference, Google’s own SEO Starter Guide covers the essentials.

Quick setup checklist:

1. Google Search Console: Verify your domain, submit your sitemap, and check Index Coverage. Fix 404s, soft 404s, and duplicate titles.
2. XML sitemap: Generate one from your CMS, usually at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. Include only indexable pages.
3. Robots.txt: Allow important sections, block junk like admin or tag archives if needed.
4. Titles and meta descriptions: Write unique, descriptive titles under 60 characters and compelling meta descriptions under 155 characters.
5. Clean URLs: Use short, readable slugs with a focus keyword, like /budget-meal-plan/.
6. Headings: Use one H1 per page, then H2 and H3 to structure content for scannability.
7. Internal links: Link related posts with descriptive anchor text, not “click here.”
8. Image alt text: Describe the image and include a keyword where it fits naturally.
9. Mobile-first: Check font size, tap targets, and spacing on real phones.
10. Page speed basics: Compress images, enable caching, and remove heavy scripts you do not need.

Beginner-friendly keyword plan:

• Pick one primary keyword per page, then 2 to 3 close variants.
• Map keywords to content types. Example, “how to meal prep” fits a guide, “best lunch boxes” fits a list.
• Add the primary keyword in the title, H1, first 100 words, and file name for main images. Keep it natural.

Content hygiene that supports approval:

• Update outdated posts with dates and fresh facts.
• Add FAQs that match search intent.
• Cite reputable sources when you reference data or studies.
• Keep author names and short bios on key pages to show expertise.

Search Console weekly routine:

• Review Performance for top queries and low CTR pages.
• Improve titles for posts with many impressions but weak clicks.
• Inspect new URLs and request indexing after major updates.
• Watch Core Web Vitals and fix pages with poor LCP or CLS.

Why this helps AdSense:

• A policy-safe site avoids violations and limited ads.
• Strong on-page SEO makes your content discoverable and reduces thin pages.
• Clean structure, fast pages, and clear metadata show review teams you run a reliable site.

If you need a beginner-friendly walkthrough for Search Console, this practical guide is a handy companion to set up reports and spot quick wins: How to Use Google Search Console.

Conclusion

Getting approved for AdSense is simple on paper, and strict in practice. You need a site that shows trust, answers real questions, loads fast, and respects users. That means original content, clean navigation, mobile polish, policy-safe topics, and the standard trust pages. Add solid on-page SEO and real traffic, not gimmicks. A custom domain, tidy internal links, and a steady publishing cadence round it out.

Run a 30‑minute audit before you apply. Confirm your About, Contact, Privacy, and Terms are live. Scan a few posts for depth and originality. Check speed on mobile, fix layout clutter, and remove anything that looks spammy. Tighten titles, improve meta descriptions, and link related posts. If you spot real gaps, fix them now, not after a rejection.

When you are ready, apply through the AdSense site, submit your domain, and follow the setup prompts. Add ads.txt when you are approved, then start with light placements and test on phones. Watch Search Console and your analytics to tune content, UX, and ad layout. Keep shipping helpful posts every week.

Strong sites earn more over time. Better content and a smooth experience attract higher-quality ads and steadier RPMs. Start your checklist today, then hit apply with confidence. If you want practical updates and step-by-step guides, subscribe and get the next playbook in your inbox.