Getting Started After AdSense Approval: Creating Ad Units
Congratulations on getting your AdSense account approved! Now, you can start displaying ads on your blog and monetizing your content. But approval is just the beginning. Once approved, a new set of challenges arises.
Instead of expecting big earnings immediately, your first task should be to create ad units and strategically place them.
Ad units are not just boxes that display ads—they’re key to your blog’s revenue potential. This guide covers what ad units are, their types, how to insert them in Blogger, and tips for optimization.
1. What is an Ad Unit?
An ad unit is more than just a placeholder for ads—it directly influences how much revenue your blog can generate. The size, type, and placement of an ad can drastically affect click-through rates (CTR) and overall earnings. For example, an ad placed at the top of a post may attract more attention than one buried at the bottom, even if the content is identical.
Ad units come in various formats, including display, in-feed, and in-article types. Each format has unique characteristics, and understanding how each interacts with your content is essential. A well-chosen ad unit complements your blog’s layout rather than interfering with it, creating a seamless experience for readers while optimizing revenue.
Choosing the right ad unit also means considering the balance between visibility and user experience. Oversized ads can overwhelm your content, distracting readers and potentially increasing bounce rates. Conversely, ads that are too small or poorly placed may be overlooked, resulting in lower CTR and reduced earnings.
Here are some practical tips for selecting ad units:
- Match your blog layout: Ensure ads align with columns, headers, and sidebars. A cohesive layout feels natural to the reader.
- Test multiple sizes: Some ad sizes, like 300x250 or 728x90, generally perform better in terms of clicks. Experiment to see what works best for your audience.
- Consider mobile responsiveness: A significant portion of traffic comes from mobile devices. Choose ad units that adapt well to smaller screens.
- Blend with content flow: Ads that feel integrated into the content, rather than jarring, tend to have higher engagement.
- Monitor performance: Regularly check your AdSense reports to see which ad units perform best and adjust accordingly.
In short, ad units are the building blocks of your monetization strategy. Proper selection, placement, and ongoing optimization can significantly enhance your blog’s revenue potential without sacrificing user experience.
2. Main Types of AdSense Ad Units
Auto Ads
Auto Ads allow Google’s AI to automatically analyze your blog’s layout and content, placing ads in positions that are most likely to generate revenue. This removes the guesswork from ad placement and helps even beginners monetize quickly.
- Pros: Very beginner-friendly, quick setup, automatically optimizes placement on each page, and adapts to mobile devices.
- Cons: Limited control over ad positions, may sometimes overlap design elements, and might not match specific aesthetic preferences.
To enable Auto Ads, go to your AdSense dashboard → “Ads” menu → toggle “Auto Ads” on. You can further adjust options such as:
- Page-level ads: banners, anchors, or vignettes.
- In-feed ads: placed within your post lists.
- In-article ads: inserted naturally between paragraphs.
Although Auto Ads are convenient, it's a good idea to monitor their placement. Occasionally, the AI might place ads where they slightly disrupt content flow. Adjust settings as needed to ensure a smooth reader experience while maximizing revenue.
Display Ads
Display Ads are traditional ad units that you can manually place anywhere on your blog. They give you complete control over size, format, and position, allowing you to integrate them seamlessly with your design.
- Pros: Full control over placement and size, can be responsive to adapt to mobile screens, integrates well with headers, sidebars, and footers.
- Cons: Manual code insertion required, wrong placement can reduce clicks, may require testing to find optimal positions.
To set up Display Ads, generate the ad unit in your AdSense account, choose between responsive or fixed size, then insert the code into a Blogger HTML/JavaScript gadget or directly into your theme HTML.
In-feed Ads
In-feed Ads appear naturally within your blog post lists or content feeds. They are designed to match your blog’s layout, so they feel less intrusive to readers.
- Pros: Integrated design, feels native to the blog, generally higher CTR.
- Cons: Requires manual insertion, careful positioning needed for best performance.
To implement In-feed Ads, create the unit in AdSense, then use Blogger’s gadget function or your theme’s feed template to insert it among your post listings.
In-article Ads
In-article Ads appear directly within your blog posts, blending naturally with your content. This format is especially effective for capturing attention without disrupting the reading experience.
- Pros: Integrates well with both desktop and mobile views, appears naturally in the text, increases engagement.
- Cons: Requires manual insertion and occasional adjustment for optimal placement.
Set up In-article Ads by creating an ad unit in AdSense and inserting the code at strategic points within your blog post using the HTML editor. Placement between paragraphs is generally most effective.
By understanding each ad unit type, you can experiment and combine them for maximum revenue while maintaining a positive reader experience. For instance, beginners might start with Auto Ads and gradually add Display or In-article Ads as they become more comfortable with placement optimization.
Display Ads
Display Ads are the standard units you can place wherever you want on your blog.
- Pros: Complete control over size and location, responsive options for all screens
- Cons: Manual code insertion required, poor placement can reduce clicks
Create a display ad in AdSense, choose responsive or fixed size, then insert the code in Blogger via HTML/JavaScript gadget.
In-feed Ads
In-feed Ads appear naturally within your blog post listings. They blend with your blog’s design, making them less intrusive.
- Pros: Matches blog design, higher click-through
- Cons: Requires manual setup, careful code placement
To set up: create an in-feed ad unit in AdSense, then insert it between posts using Blogger’s gadget feature.
In-article Ads
In-article Ads are inserted within your content. They naturally blend with text, increasing clicks.
- Pros: Mobile-friendly, natural integration with content
- Cons: Manual insertion, position adjustment needed
Set up: create an in-article ad unit in AdSense and insert the code at specific points in your post using HTML editor.
3. Inserting Ad Units in Blogger
Method 1: Enabling Auto Ads
- Go to AdSense Dashboard → “Ads”
- Turn on “Auto Ads”
- Adjust settings for page ads, in-feed ads, etc.
Refer to the earlier screenshots of Auto Ads settings.
Auto Ads automatically place ads without any code insertion.
Method 2: Manual Ad Code Insertion
HTML/JavaScript Gadget
Place ads in sidebar, footer, or other locations. Copy the display ad code and paste it into “Add Gadget → HTML/JavaScript.”
Blogger layout gadget positions vary depending on your theme.
Editing Theme HTML
Insert ads at specific points in your posts. Go to “Theme → Edit HTML” and paste the code. Avoid breaking content flow.
4. Post-Ad Placement Considerations
- Policy Compliance: Avoid excessive ads or click-bait tactics to prevent account suspension
- Revenue Reports: Check reports for a few days, analyze performance, and adjust ad placement or size as needed
- User Experience: Ads should complement design; prioritize readability over quantity
Approval is only the first step. Creating the right ad units, placing them strategically, and monitoring results are essential for successful monetization. Using these four types of ad units and insertion methods, even beginners can optimize ad placement and gradually increase earnings.
FAQ
Q1. Do I have to create ad units?
A1. Yes. Ad units form the foundation of your blog monetization strategy. Even if you use Auto Ads, understanding and creating ad units can help you optimize placement, size, and format to increase revenue. While Auto Ads can insert ads automatically, manually creating units allows you to test different positions and formats for better results.
Q2. Should I use Auto Ads or manual ads?
A2. Beginners often start with Auto Ads because Google’s AI automatically places ads in high-potential locations without extra work. Manual ads, on the other hand, allow precise control over size, format, and position. Many successful bloggers use a combination: Auto Ads for convenience and manual ads to fine-tune performance in key areas like sidebars or within content.
Q3. What’s the difference between In-feed and In-article ads?
A3. In-feed ads appear between post listings, matching your blog’s design so they feel natural and less intrusive. In-article ads appear within the body of a post, blending with your content and attracting readers’ attention as they read, which often results in higher click-through rates.
Q4. Can I place too many ads?
A4. Yes, overloading your blog with ads can violate AdSense policies and put your account at risk of suspension. Focus on balancing revenue with user experience. Strategically place ads in high-visibility areas without overwhelming your content, ensuring readers enjoy a smooth and engaging experience.
Q5. Will changing ad units immediately affect earnings?
A5. Not necessarily. Revenue changes may take a few days to reflect after modifying ad units. Monitor your AdSense reports over time, check clicks and impressions, and adjust placement or size as needed. Optimizing ad units is an ongoing process that improves results gradually rather than instantly.
Q6. How do I know which ad units perform best?
A6. Use the performance reports in your AdSense dashboard. Look for metrics like CTR (Click-Through Rate), RPM (Revenue per Mille), and impressions. Experiment with different ad types, sizes, and placements, then compare results to identify the most effective setup for your blog.
Q7. Should I adjust ad units for mobile readers?
A7. Absolutely. Mobile traffic often makes up a large portion of blog visitors. Choose responsive ad units that automatically adjust to different screen sizes. Test on multiple devices to ensure ads are visible but not intrusive, maintaining a good user experience.
Q8. Can I combine multiple ad unit types on one page?
A8. Yes. Combining Auto Ads with Display, In-feed, and In-article ads can maximize revenue. The key is to balance the number of ads with content readability. Overloading a page can annoy readers and reduce engagement, while a thoughtful mix can boost earnings without sacrificing user experience.
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