If you run an app blog — tutorial posts, app reviews, monetization tips — getting Google AdSense approval is one of the easiest ways to start earning from your content. But Google won’t accept just any site. They want quality, original content, clear navigation, and policy compliance before they show ads on your pages.
This guide walks you through the exact steps to prepare your app blog for AdSense approval, the common mistakes to avoid, and what to do after you get approved.
1. Understand AdSense requirements (don’t skip this)
Before applying, read the official rules. Google publishes the AdSense Program Policies and eligibility criteria — these are non-negotiable. Some important pages to read now:
- AdSense Program Policies (rules & prohibited content). Google Help
- Eligibility requirements for AdSense (what kind of content and ownership is required). Google Help
- AdSense policies beginner’s guide (common violations explained). Google Help
Skim them and be honest with yourself: does your site have original useful posts, or is it mostly scraped/auto-generated content? Google rejects low-value or duplicated content quickly.
2. Create high-quality, original content (the heart of approval)
Google wants unique, helpful content. For an app blog that means:
- Publish in-depth tutorials (how to integrate APIs, step-by-step guides).
- Write app reviews with screenshots, pros/cons, real testing notes.
- Share case studies (how you solved a problem, metrics).
- Aim for 10–30 good posts before you apply — each post should be 700+ words ideally. Short thin posts rarely pass.
Tips:
- Avoid copy-paste from other sites. Even partial copying can get you rejected.
- Use your own screenshots and examples — this adds originality.
- Keep language natural; minor grammar mistakes are okay, but content must be readable.
For reference and best practices, Google explains why content quality matters in their eligibility docs. Google Help
3. Build essential pages (About, Contact, Privacy, TOS)
AdSense reviewers look for a legitimate, honest site. Make these pages and link them in footer or menu:
- About Us — who runs the blog and what it covers.
- Contact — email, contact form, or social links. A simple contact page increases trust.
- Privacy Policy — required by Google; explain how you collect/use data (even if minimal).
- Terms of Service (optional but good for credibility).
Make sure these pages are easy to find — hidden pages or broken menus make your site look unprofessional. Many guides recommend these exact pages. Rank Math+1
4. Make your site look professional & mobile friendly
UI and UX matter. Before applying:
- Use a clean responsive theme so your blog looks good on mobile (most traffic is mobile).
- Have clear navigation — categories, search, recent posts.
- Avoid excessive popups or deceptive layouts. Google can reject sites with poor UX.
- Ensure pages load quickly (optimize images, use caching).
Run a quick check with Google PageSpeed or Lighthouse and fix major issues. A slow site gives a bad first impression to reviewers and users.
5. Make sure you own the site (no subdomains on others’ accounts)
AdSense requires you to have access to the HTML source of your site — meaning you must own the domain or be able to edit the source (e.g., your WordPress or Blogger site). If you use a free platform with severe restrictions, you might be blocked.
From the AdSense eligibility page:
“It’s important that you can access the HTML source code of the site you submit for AdSense.” Google Help
If you’re on Blogger, set up a custom domain (optional but safer). If on WordPress.com, ensure the plan supports AdSense or move to self-hosted WordPress.
6. Traffic & site age — what really matters
Google doesn’t publish a strict minimum traffic number, but reviewers prefer sites that have consistent organic traffic and some age (a few weeks to a few months). Many publishers report better approval if the site has:
- Several weeks of steady traffic (organic or social).
- 10–30 quality posts indexed by Google.
- No spammy backlinks or sudden traffic spikes.
Don’t chase fake traffic — AdSense systems detect low-quality traffic sources. Focus on a few decent articles that attract real visitors from search or social.
7. Follow content & ad policies (no prohibited content)
Avoid these content categories when applying: adult, violent, illicit drugs, hate speech, copyrighted media without permission, hacked content, or excessive profanity. Google’s program policies list prohibited content clearly. Reviewers also check for deceptive layouts or encouraging invalid clicks. Google Help
If you have borderline content (e.g., app hacks, piracy), remove it before applying.
8. Apply correctly and wait patiently
When you feel ready:
- Create a Google account (if you don’t have).
- Go to AdSense signup and submit your site URL and account info.
- Google will ask you to place a verification code or a small code snippet on your site (copy-paste into header/footer).
- Wait for the initial review (usually a few days to 2 weeks). Google will email you with the result.
If rejected, Google usually provides a reason (sometimes vague). Fix issues, then reapply.
See Google’s official signup and best practices here. Google Help+1
9. Common reasons for rejection & quick fixes
- Thin content / Low value: Add more useful posts and expand existing ones.
- No or broken policy pages: Add About/Contact/Privacy pages.
- Site under construction: Remove “coming soon” pages; publish full posts.
- Copyright problems: Remove any unlicensed media.
- Traffic source problems: Avoid paid traffic from suspicious sources.
If you get “policy violations” without clarity, use the AdSense help forum or re-audit your site against the program policies. Google Help+1
10. After approval — best practices to protect your account
Once approved, don’t relax. Follow these tips:
- Place ads in user-friendly spots (not misleading). Google has placement policies. Google AdSense
- Don’t encourage clicks or use click-exchange services.
- Monitor traffic quality and ad performance in AdSense dashboard.
- Keep publishing regularly — active sites do better long term.
- Watch for policy change log and update policies if needed. Google Help
Final thoughts
Getting AdSense approval for your app blog is achievable if you focus on quality, transparency, and policy compliance. Many people fail because they rush — they create a few thin posts and expect approval. The better approach is to build a small, helpful resource library (10–30 good articles), polish the site experience, and then apply. Even if you get rejected once, fix the listed issues and try again — persistence pays.
If you want, I can now:
- Create a ready-to-publish HTML version of this article (meta tags, keywords, and structured for Blogger/WordPress), or
- Give you a template Privacy Policy and About page you can paste into your blog to speed up approval.