As a corporate slave, I have been working for about a decade now. I was earning good money and started to climb the corporate ladder. And one day, someone asked me, how was I doing?
Having a smile on my face, I unintentionally laughed and said, it looks like that I am living, but I am not alive. I am just passing by.
Really, Passing by? Was this what I wanted to do? No, certainly Not. I wanted to live, I wanted to feel alive, but the corporate slave inside me drained me. I was no more ME. So, I thought that something needs to be changed. It can’t be this bad. And I started exploring things and looked for what makes me happy.
I wanted to teach, but not in a conventional way. I wanted to help people stand on their feet and grow out. I wanted to help the unprivileged society. And that’s how I started out on a journey to build my website. It wasn’t easy. I had to learn so much. But it made me alive as if it gave me a reason to continue the exploration of life.
For five years, my website was a lonely island in this enormous digital sea, where everyone was either a blogger or a vlogger. The competition was tough. I was not getting any views. It was hurting me and I was about to quit. Five years worth of wait and effort was about to be wasted, when I decided to give it a go one last time.
And I poured my heart and soul into crafting content, building a community, and making my online presence (no matter how limited that was). But I was working and hoping for the best.
My ultimate goal was to join the coveted ranks of Adsense publishers, displaying targeted ads that would not only enhance my readers' experience but also turn my passion into a sustainable side hustle, while helping people grow with the content I am making.
The dream of having Google approved ads on my blog was undeniable. It promised a way to monetize my website without the hassle of selling anything (i.e. courses) directly to consumer or making an extensive detailed sales tactics. The dream was clear: high-quality content for unprivileged, attracting relevant ads, generating clicks, and translating into a steady stream of income. But the reality, as I soon discovered, wasn't quite so straightforward.
My first Adsense application, back in 2019 was just an attempt, just to see if Goggle Ads are true or just a myth. I naively clicked "submit" with the confidence of a wide-eyed entrepreneur, picturing myself strategically placing ads and watching the revenue roll in within a very short span of time. Now, I was waiting for a feedback hoping to be rewarded with Google approved Ads.
A few weeks later, the dreaded email arrived: "Your application for Adsense has not been approved at this time." My initial disappointment quickly morphed into confusion. "What did I do wrong?" I thought. The email offered little explanation, leaving me with a million unanswered questions.
I was disappointed, but this pushed me to start working and checking why my website failed to secure approval from Google for Google Ads. I read online forums, devoured blog posts written by other successful Adsense publishers, and even reached out to some established bloggers for advice. Slowly, I started to understand. It was defiantly not magic or a myth. It was real with no formula. But the approval was based on a set of very basic simple rules and factors: website quality, content relevance, traffic volume, and adherence to Google's strict policies.
The Refine and Resubmit:
Armed with this newfound knowledge, I took a critical look at my website. Was my content engaging enough? Did it cater to a well-defined niche? Did my website navigation make it easy for users to find what they were looking for? The answer, in many cases, was a resounding "no."
The next few months were a period of intense introspection and website renovation. I focused on creating high-quality, well-researched content that resonated with my target audience. This meant strategically using keywords, optimizing images, and ensuring a clean, user-friendly website layout.
Building an Online Presence:
But content alone wasn't enough. I realized the importance of building an online presence that signalled professionalism and trustworthiness. I became active on social media platforms relevant to my niche, engaging with other content creators and fostering a sense of community around my website.
The process was slow and often frustrating. Traffic came in trickles, and the Adsense application rejection email, while less frequent, still stung. Yet, with each rejection, my resolve grew stronger. I learned to view them not as roadblocks, but as signposts pointing me towards areas that needed improvement.
The Game Changer:
Finally, after months of relentless work, a game-changer arrived. I discovered a thriving online course specifically designed to help content creators navigate the Adsense application process. This course provided invaluable insights into Google's expectations, along with practical steps to optimize your website for approval.
Following the course's guidance, I revisited my website with renewed focus. I addressed content gaps, streamlined navigation, and ensured my website adhered to all of Google's policies. This time, when I submitted my Adsense application, it wasn't with the naive optimism of that first attempt. It was a culmination of dedicated effort, strategic planning, and a newfound understanding of the Adsense ecosystem.
The Elusive Green Light:
The wait, as always, was nerve-wracking. Days turned into weeks, and a familiar sense of doubt began to creep in. Had I done enough? Was this another attempt destined for rejection? Then, one glorious morning, the email arrived. Subject line: "Your Adsense application has been approved!"
A wave of relief washed over me, followed by a surge of elation. It wasn't just about the potential revenue; it felt like validation of all the hard work and dedication I had poured into my website. It was a green light, a signal that I was on the right track to building a sustainable online presence.
The Learning Curve Continues:
The journey since Adsense approval has been one of continuous learning. I've experimented with different ad placements, analyzed user behavior data, and refined my content strategy to maximize ad revenue without compromising user experience.
Looking back, my Adsense acceptance journey taught me several valuable lessons:
- Persistence is Key: The road to Adsense approval can be long and arduous. Don't let setbacks deter you. Learn from each rejection and keep pushing forward.
- Quality Over Quantity: Focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. Google rewards websites that offer value and a positive.
Your
feedbacks mean a lot to me and I would appreciate if you could please share
your experiences and thoughts.