A CopyBlogger post titled, “How to Do 500 Times Better Than AdSense” really caught my attention last week.
It was written by Johnny B. Truant, a blogger who made the decision to stop using AdSense.
His strategy was like many others…
Johnny created several anonymous sites with loads of search-engine-optimized content.
Next, he submitted his sites to various directories and social networking websites to generate traffic.
After about 9 months of nonstop hard work, he received his first AdSense check for $111. If you do the math, that’s about $12/month.
Meanwhile, he created another blog on a subject that he is more passionate about (technology services). By his 9th month he was pulling in five figures per month from his not-so-anonymous business blog without AdSense ads.
Johnny then made the decision to drop AdSense.
Where I Disagree With Johnny
In the CopyBlogger article, Johnny states a few reasons why he doesn’t like AdSense. He made some valid points, but one reason he gave was the anonymity factor.
He seems to suggest you have to be anonymous to do well with AdSense, and my earnings are proof that is not true.
You don’t have to be anonymous, it’s just that many people choose that route because they are trying to build a quick business instead of taking the time to build a trusted brand with one website.
There are a lot of people making good money with the anonymous, multi-site model, but that’s just not for me.
My method of building an individual brand through content takes much longer to build up, but the long-term rewards are worth it — both from an AdSense and affiliate marketing standpoint.
AdSense – Good or Bad?
Whether or not AdSense is the best model is certainly debatable. Of course, there is the potential that the ads will distract from your content, the confusion they can cause among visitors, the potential loss of traffic and more.
So I definitely understand the argument that it may not be the best solution for everyone. As a site owner, you should weigh the pros and cons and decide if it makes sense with your strategy.
I’ve also never been a fan of AdSense-only websites. You need to diversify your monetization portfolio. Ask yourself. If AdSense shut down today where would your income come from?
Even though I make between $6K and $8K per month with AdSense, my business would not die without it. You should never put all your eggs in one basket. AdSense can be PART of your model, but it shouldn’t BE your model.
I really hope you take the time to read Johnny’s article. I love posts like this because they spark discussion.
While I think Johnny made some valid points, I certainly don’t agree with them all. Maybe I’ve been blinded by my earnings, but I plan to stay put.
Nevertheless, I respect his decision to discontinue with AdSense. It’s certainly not for everyone.
I’d love to know your thoughts on this. Let’s discuss!
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Follow on Twitter: @krenee76
I too, was having a dilemma about whether or not I should keep adsense – it wasn’t about the earnings, but about people leaving my site, never to return.
In my initial thinking, I thought, hey if they’re gonna leave my site, then they might as well click an ad – but my site is meant to help people deepen their spirituality and that’s far more important than an ad.
After much pondering I’ve decided to keep them, but I’ve moved them to the very bottom of my posts because I’d really rather keep people on my site than have them leave via an ad. Yes, it’s decreased my adsense earnings, but now I have more page views per visit which means more people are staying on my site longer. Since I’ve been putting so much work into creating new posts everyday, I’ve seen an increase in reader interacting and right now that’s far more valuable to me.
Kiesha @ Highly Favored´s last blog … He’s speaking – are you listening?
Finding the right mix is often tough. You want to use AdSense to earn extra money but as you suggested here, you have to keep your long-term goal in mind… and that is to get more traffic and grow your brand. So I understand your dilemma. It’s challenging to find the right mix. I go back and forth with it myself.
This is the second post I’ve read this week which got me thinking about putting all eggs in a (Google Adsense) basket.
I can see where a discussion like this begins to tie in with having your own product!
(Thanks, Lisa).
Google Adsense CAN leave you with loads of lost time and energy for very little ROI.
It CAN “cheapen” the look of your site – if not properly done.
But apparently it can also lead to some decent money – as long as you’re not leaning on it for MOST of your money.
(Which given the lack of control, probably isn’t a great idea).
Angiel´s last blog … A Negative View Of My Baptism
Follow on Twitter: @tamingtime
I actually read this article earlier in the week. As I am not interested in the lots of multiple sites, anonymity etc that goes with MFA websites – I kind of disregarded what he said about adsense. I am sure if that was the only model I had tried adsense on – I would say adsense stunk too!!
That was a really wordy way to say – I think the multi-site plan sounds like a lot of work on a rocky foundation, hence the lack of return on investment (time).
Personally adsense is very important part of my online income (though not quite at yours yet Lisa), but I am diversifying as much as possible. I think that diversification is one of the keys to success online.
Michelle´s last blog … Jan 29, Why do I Procrastinate? How to Stop Procrastination & Never Procrastinate Again
Follow on Twitter: @Ileane
This topic came up on the Website Babble forum when someone asked why there is no Adsense there. I really had no clue and my best guess is that the other ads on the forum are generating more income for you that Adsense would. Now after reading this, maybe you can shed some light on the issue.
I’ve heard that ad placement and the type of ads (text vs. image) makes a big difference also.
Thanks for your insights.
ileane´s last blog … Some Serious Blog Engagement
I tried AdSense there and it did TERRIBLE so I took it down. I make more from the Text Link Sponsor ads on the right side. Sites geared toward Webmasters often have low CTR for ad programs. The main reason I am able to make so much from my site is due to high traffic volume. My CTR is VERY low but the traffic is what helps the earnings add up. Also I seem to be getting paid more and more per click every year.
I have a number of sites (28) and I use Adsense on almost all of them.
I may be in the minority here, but I actually like the way the ads look. In fact, I love Adsense.
So far, I’m not making a ton of money and I still have full time job, but I do make a little extra money off of Adsense. While I do have a lot of sites, many of them are low traffic sites – my best site only gets 1000 visitors each day and the other 27 get less than that. As Lisa mentioned the amount you can earn from Adsense is all about traffic.
So far, Adsense is the only way I monetize any of my sites. It is quick and easy and once I put the Adsense code up I don’t have to do anything else to it.
However, in the future I’m planning on finding additional ways of earning money online, but for now I’m concentrating more on building traffic to my sites than trying to earn money from them.
One more thing – I often see the phrase “made for Adsense site” and I think that some people believe that if a site has Adsense on it that it is a “made for Adsense site.” I use Adsense on my sites to help offset the cost of buying domain names and hosting and because I’m dirt poor and could use a little extra money.
I only bring this up because it seems that some people feel you can’t have a site with Adsense that is of any quality. I recently submitted a site to a directory and my site was rejected because of the Adsense (they said it was a made for Adsense site). Two days later this same site won an award from the NY State Educational system (that I didn’t even apply for).
Follow on Twitter: @Optimistic_J
I agree with you Lisa that the smart thing is to take the time and develop a personal brand. I’ve been blogging for approximately 3 years and I’ve heard from numerous successful sources such as yourself and others stress the importance of personal brand. Anyhow, I haven’t developed enough traffic yet to be successful w/adsense but I’m using your teachings and applying them.
Thanks for all you do,
Jarrod
Hi Lisa, all good points. I’m still debating about peppering my sites with adsense. I personally don’t like sites that have them above the fold, on the sides, near the navigation. It just screams ’snake oil’ sales to me. LOL. I believe it would suit my goals and interests to have good affiliate ads that compliment what I’m offering.
I need to visit your blog more often. I miss seeing your fonts at Babble.
By the way, is there anyway I could email you? I’d like to ask you something.
Follow on Twitter: @dreamofsailing
Hey Lisa!
I stumbled uppon your youtube videos the other day and as I really found them great, useful and helping also downloaded your free e-book. Wow, that was so in the appropriate moment for me.
I recently started my own web-site/blog about sailing. The main idea why I did it – is to learn sailing – the theoretical part. Since half a year it has become a great passion of mine and I want to explore it deeper and get more knowledge about the topic. So I decided to write a blog so I can keep my notes and keep my passion growing.
I thought it could be good idea to experiment with google adsense programm and see if I can get some money out of it.
The problem is that as it is more on theoretical part – it will contain much copy/paste information from the web (ofcourse I add the link and a refference to the original sources).
What`s your opinion – is it possible to get some money out of that. I`m realistic and not looking for a 4,5 or 6 figure payment but some additional money would be nice.
The site is http://dadiwannasailingboat.com, it operates on Wordpress and uses K2 theme. I have some html and css knowledge so now I`m also working on a design as I want it to look good.
Kris´s last blog … How to measure a boat for the sails
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I think Adsense is a quick and easy way to monetize. I don’t mind the look of the ads as long as they are relevant to my niche. I agree that it is unwise to put all one’s eggs in one basket, and on the flip side, by excluding Adsense as a revenue stream, some webmasters are leaving money on the table.
I read Johnny B.’s post last week, and at the time, I thought it wasn’t Adsense that was the problem, but the fact that he had a poor business model.
I don’t plan on removing my ads anytime soon, but I am looking for ways to diversify.
Carletta´s last blog … Exploring Creation through Astronomy
Follow on Twitter: @YPRuck
I’ve success stories and failures dealing with Adsense. I was using Adsense but was kicked out of the program and now I have no advertising ads of any sort. I am definitely looking to monetize my site but as others and Lisa suggested it’s about building your brand so that’s what I’m doing right now. But I’m going to check out Lisa’s videos and blogs for alternatives to Adsense b/c if u don’t know, she’s the BEST! Thanks again Lisa for all of the info you share. You don’t know how much you have enlightened people such as myself.
YPRuck’s/YPBlogSpot’s Last Blog: http://ypblogspot.com/so-what-i-eat-what-i-want-i-workout/
YPRuck´s last blog … So What I Eat What I Want: I Workout
I think Adsense is a quick and easy way to monetize. I don’t mind the look of the ads as long as they are relevant to my niche. I agree that it is unwise to put all one’s eggs in one basket, and on the flip side, by excluding Adsense as a revenue stream, some webmasters are leaving money on the table.
I read Johnny B.’s post last week, and at the time, I thought it wasn’t Adsense that was the problem, but the fact that he had a poor business model.
I don’t plan on removing my ads anytime soon, but I am looking for ways to diversify.
Follow on Twitter: @Tanhak
I’m new to all of this. I literally started building my blog site this week. I also ran across Lisa’s Youtube page and ran with the ideal. Thanks Lisa. Great advice by the way.
What I get from Johnny’s B. blog is that he was hoping he could build a site and it would just automatically make money for him. He was disappointed with the results. It sounds like he was focused on blogging and didn’t come up with a strategy to build traffic. Therefore, things didn’t work out his way.
Once again, I’m new to this. Once I get things rolling maybe I might see things his way, but I’m hoping I’ll have the success, or some what close to it, the success Lisa is having. However, I know it’s going to take time. And I plan to have no more than 2 or 3 sites at most. I think when you have too many sites it takes away from your branding.
Well, I think I’ve said enough for now. Hope to discuss this more, with you good people, in the near future.
Thank you all for your insight into this arena.
Rodney
Follow on Twitter: @naprmm
Adsense is one of three sources of income for my site. I think the key is really great content. If you do that on a regular basis even people who don’t like the ads will simply ignore them (many do anyway) but still come to your site on a regular basis.
Michael´s last blog … The Urban Farmer
Follow on Twitter: @melvapratt
I have not been at this long, and my site does not make much money, but if I remove adsense it will make, no money. So I am staying put for now. I do have a mixed strategy, because i do not believe in putting all my eggs in one basket like you side.
Melva´s last blog … Home Based Pet Business – Train Your Pet for TV
Follow on Twitter: @babyshowerpro
I have no desire to stop using adsense all together, but I have thought about removing some of my ad units and replacing them with shareasale links or chitika ads. I do make most of my money from adsense, but I keep wondering if I would do better with my other monetization models if I sprinkled them around my site a bit more.
Sonya´s last blog … Feb 1, Free printable baby shower invitations
Hey Lisa,
Before, I get into my article! I have been inspired by listening to your youtube channels!
I read that blog in what that person posted about adsense. While reading the article, I think that person was focused so much using stragies and other sites in order to increase his earnings on google rather than focusing on his passion for blogging! In addition, It seemed that person was probably not actually aware of what type of audience that he was trying to reach while buiding sites to earn commissions.To me, it takes work and committment to one’s blog in order to see suceess. I have google adsenses on my two blogs ! Even though I have not made much with adsense and my other affiate programs for the last 4 mouths ,but it doesn’t knock out my passion for writing on my two blogs! I think adsense is a good site to use to make money, and i will not stop using it at all. I think that it’s so important to have a passion and have a love to write one’s blog. Thanks again for the discussion.
Tyler J.Logan´s last blog … Understanding why I blog once a week, or maybe twice each week
Johnny is really right in his way because of the way that are getting him more income on his site. But there are still many that are making a great living online in ad sense. So we can not say that adsense is not better or it is better But all what matters the income that you generate from it will be able to make you judge correctly
My Home Business tools´s last blog … Top 5 Online rss reader for your convenience
Follow on Twitter: @melvapratt
Hi Tyler:
I agree that focusing on ones passion is important, but many people are not thinking about passion. People have been programmed to get a job, to make a living. They have also been programmed to stay in their job even if they do not like it, and they bring that thinking to the Internet. It is their chance to do what they really love but many times the people around them do not understand passion. If I had a dollar every time someone asked how much money are you making online? I would be rich. I do not even talk about it to people who are not involved with an online business. It is not most peoples fault that they do not understand passion. Most people are NOT raised to grow-up and find their passion. They are told GET A JOB! MAKE MONEY!
Melva´s last blog … Home Based Pet Business – Train Your Pet for TV
Follow on Twitter: @79146492
It depends on what kind of site do you have and what are your long term goals. If I visit a site and see google ads I don’t “run” away but the credibility of that site is definitely decreasing in my eyes. Maybe it’s just me.
I have decided to not to place google or adbrite ads on my site or blog. I personally don’t like them and I think that I don’t have the right audience for that kind of monetizing strategy.
TomGreenwald´s last blog … What is primal fitness?
Follow on Twitter: @shirleyszone
I read Johnny’s article and what I think in combination with what you are saying is that, not all monetization strategies work for everyone so you have to test them out and then stick with the ones that work for you and drop the ones that don’t work for you. That’s what I think
.
Shirley´s last blog … Shirley Featured On GH Tech
I’m a firm believer in income diversification and had recently switched some sites to YPN! from AdSense. The results have recently been very dismal and I’ve begun moving sites back to AdSense. I’d love to know about other channels that actually produce.
PowerPoint Templates´s last blog … Revolutionary War PowerPoint Template
Follow on Twitter: @financialbndage
If your site is getting hundreds of thousands of visitors a month, then it’s a good thing I’m guessing. Otherwise, you wont make much from it. Just my experience anyway.
Follow on Twitter: @londonevent2010
Hi Lisa,
I’ve had a mixed bag with Google Adsense, with some sites doing very well (oddly the less well-designed ones!) and others pulling in just a few pounds/dollars a day.
I completely agree with you about diversifying monetisation, especially as I use affiliate advertising as well as Adsense on my top websites.
It’s probably giving away a little secret here, though you’ll surely know of it yourself, but I constantly use the Google Keywords Tool (https://adwords.google.co.uk/select/KeywordToolExternal) when coming up with new ideas for websites and website content. If I know the traffic is there, and that the top ten on Google is penetrable, then it’s just a question of using the right adverts. What I really like about Adsense is the fact that Google always provides adverts, which actually makes it easier to manage than say affiliate advertising.
At the end of the day (and yes, it usually gets dark before most webmasters snuggle up in their beds), good quality content, about popular topics, on well-designed websites, will usually bring in a steady flow of Adsense revenue.
You know what, now I’ve found your blog, I’m addicted to it! Have fun… Daniel
p.s. This is related to another one of your Adsense blog posts (the “Lazy People” one), but anyone who thinks they can make a fast bucks from Adsense without lots of hard work is flying on an iceberg in cloud-cuckoo-land!
Follow on Twitter: @Youcantooblog
Ok just so everybody knows, I am a beginner. Lisa is actually the one who has inspired me to try becomming a webmaster or blogger. So thank you Lisa. While I do expect a certain amount of criticisim because of how immature my blog will appear to most I still feel that I should try. My hope is to inspire others like me and motivate them to take the plunge into whatever it is that they really want to do. I plan on doing that by blogging about my experiences, my successes and failures and letting people know that if somebody as simple and average as I am can do it then anybody can. I started o think two days ago. I totally plan on using mostly the information that Lisa provides on her sites and her YouTube videos to reach my goal of earning a living online while blogging about it every step of the way.
So from the perspective of an absolute average web user I have to admit that the value at which I hold a site that is plastered with adsense drops through the floor as instantly as the page loads. I prefer a clean, simple layout that is easy to read and that doesn’t have a bunch of adsense ads competing for my attention, pulling it away from the content which is why I went to the site in the first place.
From the point of view of a business owner (or webmaster) I see the value that adsense can add to your portfolio. So my thoughts are absolutely no adsense above the fold for sure and even then make sure they are not in anyway distracting from the content which is what your user came to the site for in the first place. You take care of your readers and they will take care of you.
Follow on Twitter: @londonevent2010
Hi Gordon,
It’s really great that you are willing to share your experiences with others, just a word of warning, though – don’t reveal too much about your niche to your competitors! If the subject of your website is very popular and generates enough traffic for you to make a steady income from Adsense and other methods, then the chances are that you’ll have a few competitors (or what I call “a few other piranha’s in your pool”… I spent July ‘09 to Jan ‘10 working on a content strategy, reading 15 books on different areas of Web Marketing (SEO, Google Analytics, Online Marketing, Social Networking), watching video tutorials, etc before I launched my main sites in January – and it’s only now I’m really starting to see a daily financial return. I’d really suggest you spend most of your time developing your online strategy and content, and only blog if it’s about your subject matter, or about your trials and tribulations, IF IT MAKES BUSINESS SENSE TO DO SO – in which case I guess that would make you a direct competitor of 2createawebsite.com!
Daniel
Follow on Twitter: @Youcantooblog
Well I have so much to say about that but I want to keep the topic on course with the article. But just let it be known that I have no intentions of monetizing youcantooblog.blogspot.com. As a matter of fact my goal is only to motivate people to believe in themselves. Lisa is the expert on creating a website and earning money from it so I guarantee that if by a small chance that the blog develops a readership I will encourage them all to visit first 2planawebsite.com then to visit 2createawebsite.com because most of the info I get comes from Lisa’s sites. So if I were truely interested in my readers success I would share with them the best information I could find.
I am however interested in what you said about planning the site beforehand and developing a business model/plan before ever launching the site. And while that plan may change as the business (and business owner) mature I think a major part of that planning needs to be on how you will monetize your site. I am curious Daniel did you decide to use adsense ads or do you feel that they lessen the quality of your site? If you do feel like they lessen the sites quality then how do you find that balance between good site appearance and good adsense ad exposure on your site?
Gordon´s last blog … How to avoid "the brain fatigue"
Personally adsense is very important part of my online income (though not quite at yours yet Lisa), but I am diversifying as much as possible. Affiliate links are also a big revenue source for me.
Follow on Twitter: @christiantjr
I like your take. Adsense is neither good nor bad. It is what it is. The anon blogs though are dead. MFA blogs are impossible to work. People just in it for a buck are going to have to step it up and command some real resources to be a profitable scammer
You’ll always be able to scam the system and make a buck, but just like in business, you’re going to have to have deep pockets if you want to con a big player…like Google. Setting up a stupid little optimized crappy blog and monetizing with google ads is so last year
Christian Russell´s last blog … How to Make Money Blogging Pt 2
Follow on Twitter: @londonevent2010
Sure Gordon,
In respect of Web Strategy, I felt it was important to spend a lot of time planning the content of the site prior to launch, and that went along the lines of: ‘Find a niche subject, with enough potential traffic (using Google Keyword Tool), and as little competition, to realistically generate at least 10,000 visitors a day to a website, from Google (and other sources), and monetise this traffic with ongoing web/content development, through Affiliate Advertising and Adsense, into £25 ($40 USD) per 1,000 visitors, which would earn £7,500 ($11,700 USD) per month on average.’
Do Adsense ads negatively affect a website? There are arguments for both sides, however users will normally not mind Adsense ads if a website provides enough good quality content, and the ads are intelligently positioned. Skyscraper ads might not be the most aesthetically attractive at the top of a web page, but with enough traffic you’ll likely make a steady income from people clicking on them.
Hope that helps.
Daniel
I’ll emphasize with the guy; when I started with Adsense quite a long time ago, I didn’t get a lot in return.
However, that was because I was terrible at getting traffic…
Captain Cook´s last blog … Filler: A bit I found on Not Always Right
I think this is great! Soo much info on this site…keep it up. I am on the fence with adsence. I haven’t made up my mind yet if it’s worth the real estate. Maybe in a couple more months I will be ready to keep it or pull it. I am testing different revenue sources and will see which one pulls more. Keep it coming, a lot to digest.
Follow on Twitter: @londonevent2010
I think the key is to consider your users:
- What adverts do you think they want to see?
- What information are my users looking for?
- How can your adverts be useful yet non-intrusive?
- How can you advertise and retain editorial credibility?
- What advertising methods have successful websites used?
Evaluate how successful your current advertising is, and seek to optimize your adverts through testing and research.
Follow on Twitter: @londonevent2010
p.s. AdSense works!