Three Reasons why Google AdSense is Overrated
Does the title of this blog post surprise you? Do you think it is a sin that I am possibly suggesting that Google AdSense is overrated? Although I do not want to cause a huge stir with this post, I feel that it is something to consider.
To start with, let me say that I have used AdSense on blogs and websites, and plan on continuing to do so. In fact, if I ever attempt to monetize this blog, AdSense is one program that I will more than likely start with.
But with all of that being said, in my opinion, AdSense is overrated. Here are three details that have led me to this conclusion.
1. From my experience speaking with hundreds of webmasters, AdSense is reserved for the best of the best. In other words, unless you have a highly profitable niche or loads of traffic, your chances of succeeding with AdSense are not that great. Sure, you can make a few bucks here and there, but a full-time income will be out of range.
2. For some reason, Google thinks that they can do whatever they want, whenever they want. And when it comes down to it, I guess they really can. Google is the one company that is synonymous with the internet, and this does not appear to be changing anytime in the near future. But what does this have to do with AdSense, you may ask? Simply put, Google may decide to ban you from their program without explanation. Time and time again accounts are suspended, and publishers are left with no answers as to why. If you don’t believe it, check out this link - http://www.richtwinpoortwin.com/banned-from-google-adsense-lost-200000.html. These guys lost $200,000 when their account was suspended!
3. AdSense is no longer the only game in town. They may still be the leader in the industry, but they are being gained on. Other ways to monetize your blog or website include: Kontera, Text Link Ads, Bidvertiser, AzoogleAds, AuctionAds, Yahoo! Publisher Network, and many more.
As you can see, I strongly believe that Google AdSense is overrated. This does not mean that you should stop using AdSense, but you should consider your other options.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:44 am
I share your views, there are many ways to make money online through various products. Adsense is great but by no means the best and/or only option.
August 6th, 2007 at 2:59 am
Agreed on this. I think Adsense, in fact, is eating up adsenser’s portion of money with their so-call ’smart pricing’ system - but we have no choice but live with it.
Perhaps owning some GOOG stocks from the beginning may help, eh?
August 6th, 2007 at 9:33 am
I agree with you all the way, but also, if I were to start a new blog, Adsense would be the quickest and easiest way to monetize a blog/website. Also many people have had great success with Text Link Ads. Take for Example John Chow, he earns way more with Text Links Ads, than he does with Google Adsense
August 6th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Good points and I agree on all of them. But for small-time bloggers like us, it’s the easiest to earn something from at any rate. The other ad systems, especially affliates take a whole lot of extra income.
August 6th, 2007 at 11:14 am
These are all great points! While AdSense is not the only game in town, it is the easiest to use, and in many cases the best option. But with that in mind, never putting all your eggs in one basket is a good idea!
August 6th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
You have some good points, but I tend to disagree. Google is the highest paying Ad site out there. I remember a few times when I got $2+ per click on some ads.
I’ve also tried competitors, AdBrite, AZAds, Kontera, none pay as well.
As far as Google banning? Only if you’re illegally clicking. And if you do, you can always e-mail them. I e-mailed support once about a suspicious 30 clicks in 2 minutes on my site and told them it might be invalid, they were more than willing to help me out.
As far as #1, I think it’s for everyone. If I have low traffic and I’m using say, AdBrite, I’ll be making way less per click than if I had AdSense put on.
Sure, you won’t be making thousands of dollars, but thats obvious. You need the traffic to do that, doesn’t matter what ad provider your choose.
August 6th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Leonid - I can definitely see where you are coming from. There is no doubt that AdSense is the best program out there of its kind. But of course, they are not the only game in town.
I too have emailed support in the past and received a prompt response. But some, such as Rich Twin Poor Twin, had no such luck, and have no idea why they were banned. Surely they were not clicking their own ads if they were making $200,000 or so per month.
A lot of it has to do with traffic, niche, etc.
Thanks for your viewpoint on this. It gives a great perspective on AdSense…
August 6th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
“unless you have a highly profitable niche or loads of traffic”
This applies to all networks.
August 6th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
[...] of course, like ChrissBlogging says, Google can do anything. If they can bury Johnchow and Johnchow can not do anything then [...]
August 6th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
D khanal - Yes, you are right about this. But this problem appears to be magnified with AdSense. For example, I have found that affiliate marketing works with some of my smaller sites whereas AdSense does not. As you mentioned, this may have a lot to do with traffic…
August 6th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
There’s a list of 15 ways to get banned from Google’s AdSense program– I didn’t know about some of them.
So, it’s not just illegal clicking that can get you banned, which is a no-brainer way to get yourself banished from Googledom. But some of the other ways are more obscure, and the bad thing is Google has a reputation for not explaining why they banned you.
August 10th, 2007 at 2:14 am
I think more and more of these smaller contextual ad companies will appear over time. I’ve used Bidvertiser and Clicksor as an advertiser, and recommend them highly.
August 10th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Matt - I couldn’t agree with you more. Over the next few years some smaller companies will begin to pressure AdSense…