Site Verification and Approval Process

Getting approved for AdSense can feel uncertain, but understanding the process helps you prepare and respond appropriately. This lesson explains exactly what happens during verification and how to maximize your approval chances.

The Verification Timeline

After submitting your application, Google's review happens in phases.

Phase 1: Technical Verification (24-48 Hours)

During this initial phase, Google checks:

• Code Installation: Is the AdSense code properly placed?
• Site Accessibility: Can Google's crawlers access your site?
• Basic Compliance: Does your site meet minimum technical requirements?
• Domain Ownership: Is the site URL valid and accessible?

If technical issues are found, you'll be notified quickly. This is good news—you can fix issues and continue without starting over.

Phase 2: Content Review (1-14 Days)

The longer review phase evaluates:

• Content Quality: Is the content original and valuable?
• Content Volume: Is there enough content to evaluate?
• Policy Compliance: Does all content comply with AdSense policies?
• User Experience: Is the site easy to navigate and use?

This phase typically takes 1-2 weeks but can extend to several weeks for borderline cases.

Phase 3: Final Decision

After review, you'll receive one of three outcomes:

1. Approved: You can start displaying ads
2. Not Approved: Your application was rejected (with reasons)
3. Further Review: Additional information or changes needed

What Reviewers Look For

Understanding the review criteria helps you prepare.

Content Evaluation

Reviewers assess content across multiple dimensions:

Originality:

• Is this content unique to your site?
• Have you added original perspectives?
• Is the content clearly not copied or scraped?

Quality:

• Is the writing clear and professional?
• Are there spelling and grammar errors?
• Does the content provide genuine value?

Depth:

• Are topics covered comprehensively?
• Is there sufficient detail?
• Would readers find answers to their questions?

Site Structure Review

Beyond content, reviewers evaluate:

Navigation:

• Can users easily find content?
• Is the menu structure logical?
• Are internal links working?

Essential Pages:

• Is the Privacy Policy accessible?
• Does the About page explain the site's purpose?
• Can users contact the site owner?

Design Quality:

• Does the site look professional?
• Is it free of excessive ads or clutter?
• Does it work on mobile devices?

Traffic and Engagement

While there's no minimum traffic requirement, reviewers may consider:

• Whether the site receives organic traffic
• Evidence of user engagement
• Signs of legitimate audience interest

Common Rejection Reasons and Solutions

Let's examine the most frequent rejection reasons and how to address them.

Reason 1: Insufficient Content

Google's Message: "Content is not sufficient" or "Low-value content"

What This Means:

• Not enough articles
• Articles are too short
• Content lacks depth or originality

How to Fix It:

1. Add more articles (aim for 30+)
2. Expand existing articles to 1000+ words
3. Ensure each article provides unique value
4. Add supporting details, examples, and insights
5. Wait 2-3 weeks after improvements, then reapply

Reason 2: Site Navigation Issues

Google's Message: "Site navigation issues" or "Content not accessible"

What This Means:

• Poor menu structure
• Broken links on the site
• Content difficult to find

How to Fix It:

1. Create a clear, logical menu structure
2. Fix all broken links (use a link checker tool)
3. Add a sitemap
4. Ensure all pages are linked from the navigation
5. Test navigation on mobile devices

Reason 3: Policy Violations

Google's Message: "Site policy violations"

What This Means:

• Content violates AdSense policies
• Prohibited topics or materials found

How to Fix It:

1. Review AdSense policies thoroughly
2. Audit all content for violations
3. Remove or modify problematic content
4. Check user comments for violations
5. Review images and embedded content
6. Wait and reapply after cleaning up

Reason 4: Unacceptable Site Type

Google's Message: "Site type is not acceptable"

What This Means:

• Site is primarily for adults
• Site scrapes or aggregates content
• Site is a parked domain
• Site exists primarily for ad revenue

How to Fix It:

1. Verify your site type is acceptable
2. Add substantial original content
3. Demonstrate genuine purpose beyond advertising
4. Consider if AdSense is right for your site type

Reason 5: Site Under Construction

Google's Message: "Site is under construction"

What This Means:

• Too many "coming soon" pages
• Broken features
• Incomplete sections

How to Fix It:

1. Complete all visible sections
2. Remove "under construction" notices
3. Ensure all features work properly
4. Only show fully functional content

Reapplying After Rejection

If rejected, follow this process for a successful reapplication.

Wait Period

• Allow at least 2-4 weeks after rejection
• Use this time to make substantial improvements
• Don't reapply with minimal changes

Improvement Checklist

Before reapplying:

• Address all issues mentioned in rejection email
• Add significant new content
• Improve existing content quality
• Fix all technical issues
• Verify policy compliance
• Test site thoroughly

Reapplication Tips

1. Make real improvements: Superficial changes won't help
2. Document changes: Keep notes on what you fixed
3. Be patient: Rushing leads to repeated rejections
4. Focus on quality: One great article beats five mediocre ones
5. Get feedback: Ask others to review your site

Checking Application Status

Monitor your application through AdSense:

In the AdSense Dashboard

1. Log into your AdSense account
2. Look for status messages on the home page
3. Check the "Sites" section for site-specific status
4. Review any notifications or alerts

Status Indicators

Status	Action Required
Getting Ready	Wait for next phase
Under Review	Continue waiting
Needs Attention	Check email, take action
Ready	Start setting up ads
Not Approved	Review rejection, improve, reapply

Email Notifications

Google sends emails for:

• Approval confirmation
• Rejection with reasons
• Issues requiring attention
• Policy violation warnings

Always check both inbox and spam folders.

Accelerating Approval

While you can't force faster approval, these practices help:

Do These Things

• Submit complete, polished sites
• Ensure perfect technical implementation
• Have substantial, quality content ready
• Respond quickly to any requests

Avoid These Things

• Applying too early (before site is ready)
• Making major changes during review
• Reapplying immediately after rejection
• Having multiple pending applications

After Approval: First Steps

Once approved, take these immediate actions:

Verify Everything

1. Confirm approval email is legitimate
2. Log into AdSense to verify status
3. Check that your site is listed as approved

Start Carefully

1. Begin with minimal ad placements
2. Test that ads display correctly
3. Monitor for any issues or warnings
4. Don't immediately maximize ad density

Set Up Properly

1. Complete payment information
2. Set up tax forms if required
3. Configure notification preferences
4. Review account settings

Key Takeaways

• The approval process has technical and content review phases
• Most rejections are due to insufficient content or navigation issues
• Always address rejection reasons thoroughly before reapplying
• Wait 2-4 weeks between applications after rejection
• Monitor your application status through the AdSense dashboard
• After approval, start with minimal ads and expand gradually
• Keep your site updated and policy-compliant to maintain approval

What's Next

Now that you understand the approval process, the next lesson shows you how to navigate the AdSense dashboard and configure your account settings for success.