AdSense Approval Checklist for New Blogs

An AdSense approval checklist helps you fix the most common problems before you apply, so you do not waste time on rejections. Google’s own help pages say you need original, high-quality content, a site that follows AdSense policies, and an applicant aged 18 or over. Below I turn those rules into a simple list you can follow.

I teach online earning to beginners, and most questions I get are about AdSense rejections. Everything in this guide that is a rule comes from Google’s AdSense Help pages. Where Google gives no number, I say so instead of guessing.

Basic Requirements on Your AdSense Approval Checklist

Google’s eligibility page says that if you have your own content that meets its policies and you are 18 or over, you can sign up for AdSense. That is the starting point.

• Age: you must be at least 18. If you are younger, a parent or guardian can sign up using their own Google Account, and payments go to that adult.
• Ownership: you need access to the HTML source code of the site, because you must place the AdSense code in your pages. Some platforms, like Blogger, let you sign up without adding code.
• Policy compliance: your site must follow the AdSense Program policies. Google says it is your responsibility to keep up with changes.
• One account only: Google’s policies allow one AdSense account per publisher.

If you plan to use Blogger or YouTube, the process is different. You sign up from your Blogger or YouTube Studio account, and Google applies extra eligibility checks there.

Content Checks in the AdSense Approval Checklist

This is where most beginners fail. Google says your content must be high-quality, original and attract an audience. It also says your site needs unique content that is relevant to your visitors and gives a good experience.

Write in complete pages, not just headlines

Google’s rejection guide says sites with too little text, or sites that look under construction, can be refused. It asks for complete sentences and paragraphs, not only headlines. It also says sites that are mostly images or videos may not be approved.

Add your own value

Google tells publishers to be careful with material taken from other sites or embedded videos. You must contribute your own content, such as specialist knowledge, improvement ideas, reviews or personal thoughts.

Ads may not be placed on sites with scraped or copyrighted content. If you use AI tools to help you write, read my guide on AI content for blogs and Google’s policy first.

Do not build a thin affiliate site

Google says your site should not join affiliate programs without adding enough value for users. Affiliate content should only be a minor part of the site if it adds no extra features.

Site Experience and Navigation Checklist

Google asks whether your pages have clear, easy-to-use navigation. It mentions alignment, readability and working drop-down menus as things to check.

Its rejection guide lists navigation problems that can hurt you: redirects, pages behind a login, broken links, excessive pop-ups and pages under construction. Click through your own site like a visitor before you apply, and add this check to your AdSense approval checklist.

AdSense approval checklist table

Policy and Traffic Rules to Check

Google says it may review all pages of your site, not only the page where you placed the ad code. So one bad page can cause trouble.

Traffic sources matter too. Google says ads may not be placed on pages that get traffic from certain sources. Examples it gives are paid-to-click programs, unwanted emails, or ads shown because of a software application. Never use fake traffic or click tricks.

Google also lists the supported languages on its AdSense help site. If most of your content is in an unsupported language, your application can be rejected, so check that list for your language.

Google also points publishers to the Better Ads Standards and the Ad Experience Report in Google’s webmaster tools. They help you find ad experiences that annoy or mislead visitors, which is useful even before you place your first ad.

My Simple AdSense Approval Checklist

Here is the short version of my AdSense approval checklist that I give my students. Print it or keep it in your notes, and tick each line honestly before you apply.

• I am 18 or older, or a parent or guardian is applying for me.
• I own the site and can edit its HTML or use a supported platform.
• Every article is written by me, with my own examples and no copied text.
• My menu works and I have no broken links or empty pages.
• I have read the AdSense Program policies and my pages follow them.
• My traffic comes from real people, not paid-to-click sites or unwanted emails.
• My site is fully built and not under construction.

If even one line is a no, fix it first. It is much better to apply once with a strong site than to apply again and again with a weak one.

How I use this AdSense approval checklist on a new blog

When I start a new blog, I write the main articles first and add the menu, About page and contact details. Then I read the site on my phone as a stranger would, and I note every confusing spot.

After two or three days I read it again and fix what I missed. Only then do I think about ads. This slow method feels boring, but it keeps the site useful for readers, and a useful site is what AdSense looks for.

Setup Steps After the AdSense Approval Checklist

Once your AdSense approval checklist is complete, apply with a live page. Follow these steps.

1. Publish enough useful articles that a reviewer can judge your site. Google does not give a fixed number on the pages I read, so ignore anyone who sells a magic number.
2. Make sure the site is public, loads fast and works on mobile.
3. Sign up for AdSense with your own Google Account and correct details.
4. Connect your site by placing the AdSense code on a live page of your site. Test pages that contain only the code will not be approved.
5. Wait for the review and read any email or message from AdSense carefully.

Google adds that you should not sign up while your site is still under construction or only consists of a site template.

Common Mistakes That Cause AdSense Rejection

• Copying articles. Duplicate or scraped content is a policy problem.
• Applying too early. A site with three short posts rarely feels complete.
• Ignoring site structure. Broken menus and dead links make the site hard to use.
• Using forbidden traffic. Paid-to-click or fake visits can lead to refusal or a ban.
• Opening a second account. A duplicate account is a reason for non-approval.

If AdSense says no, do not panic. Fix the issues, wait, and apply again. In the meantime, you can look at other networks. I compare both options in my post on AdSense vs Adsterra. If you want guided steps for Adsterra, my Adsterra course covers account setup to payouts, and you can read the publisher account guide for free.

FAQs About the AdSense Approval Checklist

Is there a minimum number of posts for AdSense approval?

I could not find an official number on Google’s eligibility and readiness pages. Google only talks about sufficient, unique and high-quality content, so focus on quality and completeness.

Does my website need to be six months old?

The eligibility page I read does not list a site age rule. Some older Google material mentioned six months, but I would follow the current help pages and check your country’s page in AdSense.

Can I use AdSense with Blogger?

Yes. Google says Blogger users can sign up for a hosted account through Blogger, and they must follow the AdSense policies and the Blogger Content Policy.

Can I use other ad networks with AdSense?

Google has a help page about using other ad networks together with AdSense. Read that page and the program policies before you place both on one page.

What should I do after a rejection?

Read the reason in your AdSense account or email and fix your content or site issues. Google says to sign in to AdSense and confirm that you resolved the issues, and it will then proceed with setting up your account.

Conclusion

The best AdSense approval checklist is simple, and you now have it: original helpful content, clean navigation, policy compliance and honest traffic. Finish your site first, run through the AdSense approval checklist once more, then apply.

Results vary. Read our disclaimer. Official sources: AdSense eligibility requirements and why an account was not approved.