There is no guaranteed way to get approved by AdSense. There is a very reliable set of preconditions that give a serious site a strong first-attempt chance. This guide is that checklist.
This guide is written for content publishers making practical decisions — not a marketing overview. Every recommendation links out to the underlying review or comparison for detail.
The pre-flight checklist
Publish 20+ substantive articles (800+ words each) on a focused topic. Add clear navigation, an About page, Contact page and Privacy Policy. Ensure Core Web Vitals are green. Ensure at least 60 days of consistent organic traffic.
Domain considerations
Custom domains outperform free subdomains for approval reliability. If you're on Blogger or Wix free, upgrade before applying.
Content quality signals
Original, long-form, useful content on a topic you can be seen as authoritative on. Avoid AI-generated bulk content — reviewers detect it.
Legal pages
A publicly-accessible Privacy Policy is required. Cookie disclosure is required in EU/UK-adjacent jurisdictions. See our privacy policy template.
The application itself
Apply from a Google account you'll keep. Use the correct payee name for tax reporting. Do not click 'apply for auto-ads' during review.
After approval
Wait for the first payment before optimizing aggressively — AdSense holds many accounts through their first payment for policy verification.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page earn Golvra a commission at no cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does AdSense approval take in 2026?
From days to several weeks depending on manual review queue and content complexity.
Do I need a Privacy Policy for AdSense?
Yes — a Privacy Policy is a hard requirement and reviewers actively check for it.
Can I get approved with a free subdomain?
It's possible but materially harder than with a custom domain. Upgrade if you can.