Creating Your AdSense Account

Now that you understand the requirements and have prepared your website, it's time to create your AdSense account. This lesson walks you through the signup process step by step.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have these items ready before starting the application:

Required Items

Google Account: You'll need a Google account (Gmail). Use a professional email if possible.
Website URL: The full address of your website (https://yoursite.com)
Mailing Address: Your physical address for payment verification
Phone Number: For account verification
Tax Information: Depending on your country, you may need tax ID numbers

Pre-Application Checklist

Before applying, verify:

Your site has quality content (20+ articles recommended)
Privacy Policy is published and accessible
About and Contact pages are complete
Site is mobile-friendly with HTTPS
No policy-violating content exists
You meet the age requirement (18+)

Step-by-Step Account Creation

Let's walk through the actual signup process.

Step 1: Visit AdSense

Navigate to the AdSense website:

Go to google.com/adsense
Click "Get Started" or "Sign Up Now"
Sign in with your Google account (or create one)

Step 2: Enter Your Website

On the signup page:

Enter your website URL (include https://)
Select whether you want personalized help emails
Select your country or territory
Accept the Terms of Service

Important: Choose your country carefully. This determines your payment options and tax requirements. It cannot be easily changed later.

Step 3: Provide Contact Information

Google will ask for:

Your name (as it appears on your bank account)
Mailing address
Phone number

Accuracy Matters: This information is used for:

Sending payment verification PIN
Processing payments
Tax documentation
Account recovery

Step 4: Connect Your Site

After initial signup, you'll need to connect your website:

Google provides an AdSense code snippet
Add this code to the <head> section of your website
The code looks something like:

<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-XXXXXXXXX"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

Adding the Code to Your Site

Depending on your platform:

WordPress:

Use a plugin like "Insert Headers and Footers"
Or add to your theme's header.php file
Or use the Site Kit by Google plugin

Blogger:

Go to Theme > Edit HTML
Paste the code after the opening <head> tag

Custom HTML Sites:

Add directly to your HTML files' <head> section
Or use your hosting control panel

Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, etc.):

Look for "Custom Code" or "Header Code" settings
Some platforms have dedicated AdSense integrations

Step 5: Wait for Initial Review

Once the code is installed:

Google crawls your website
Initial automated checks are performed
You may see "Getting Ready" status
This typically takes 24-48 hours

Understanding Account Status Messages

During the approval process, you'll see various status indicators:

Common Status Messages

Status	Meaning
Getting Ready	Initial setup in progress
Under Review	Google is evaluating your site
Ready	Site connected, awaiting full approval
Needs Attention	Issues require your action
Approved	You can start showing ads
Not Approved	Application was rejected

What "Under Review" Means

When your account shows "Under Review":

Automated systems have passed your site
Human reviewers are evaluating content quality
This can take a few days to several weeks
Don't make major changes during this period

Handling Account Issues

Sometimes things don't go smoothly. Here's how to handle common issues.

Code Not Detected

If Google can't find your AdSense code:

Verify the code is in the <head> section
Check for typos in the publisher ID
Clear your website's cache
Wait 24 hours and check again
Use Google's troubleshooting tool

Multiple Account Requests

AdSense has strict rules about accounts:

One Account Per Person: You can only have one AdSense account
Banned Accounts: If previously banned, you cannot create a new account
Family Members: Each person in a household can have their own account

Previous Rejection

If you've been rejected before:

Wait until you receive the rejection email
Address all issues mentioned
Wait 2-4 weeks before reapplying
Make substantial improvements to your site

Setting Up Payment Information

Once approved, you'll need to set up payment details.

Adding Payment Method

Go to Payments in your AdSense dashboard
Click "Add payment method"
Choose your preferred method:
- Bank transfer (EFT) - Most common
- Check - Being phased out in many countries
- Wire transfer - For larger amounts

Bank Account Requirements

For bank transfers:

Account must be in your name
Must be in your selected country
Provide accurate routing and account numbers
Some banks may need additional verification

Tax Information

Depending on your location:

United States:

Complete W-9 form
Provide SSN or EIN

International:

May need to complete W-8BEN form
Provide local tax identification
Some countries have tax treaties affecting withholding

Address Verification (PIN)

After earning approximately $10, Google sends a PIN to verify your address.

The PIN Process

Google mails a postcard with a PIN code
Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery
Enter the PIN in your AdSense account
If not received, you can request additional PINs

PIN Troubleshooting

If your PIN doesn't arrive:

Verify your address is correct in AdSense
Wait the full 4 weeks
Request a new PIN (up to 3 times)
Alternative verification may be available after multiple failed attempts

Account Security Best Practices

Protect your AdSense account from the start:

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Go to your Google Account security settings
Enable 2-Step Verification
Use an authenticator app for best security
Save backup codes in a safe place

Monitor Account Activity

Regularly check:

Login history for suspicious activity
Authorized sites and apps
Email notifications for important updates

Avoid Account Sharing

Never share:

Your AdSense login credentials
Your publisher ID with untrusted parties
Account access with freelancers (use proper delegation)

Key Takeaways

Have your website, address, and payment details ready before applying
Add the AdSense code correctly to your site's <head> section
Be patient during the review process (can take days to weeks)
Only one AdSense account is allowed per person
Set up payment information and complete PIN verification
Enable security features to protect your account
Address any issues promptly when notified

What's Next

After your account is created, the next lesson covers the site verification and approval process in more detail, including what to expect and how to handle rejections.