Ok, I know what you are thinking…everyone and their brother is using AdSense now. And that is probably true. But for the very few out there that aren’t using it: Why not? This is an amazingly easy way to start earning a little money off of your blogs, even if you are not blogging to make money. Think about it, all you have to do is put a little snippet of code in your blog template, and you have advertising that can bring in some extra money. There are some things you need to consider when using AdSense, or really any advertising medium on your site. Here are just a few:

1. Integrate the advertising. Make sure that you insert the advertising into your template where it will look good. You do not want your AdSense block to look gaudy or out of place. There are some natural places that you can insert the code and make it look good. That leads us to the next suggestion:
2. Don’t over do it! Too much AdSense can make your blog look cheap. I know there are some blogs that I stumble on, and then leave quickly because I can hardly find the content around all the ads. You can insert 2 or 3 AdSense blocks on your site and it will look good, and flow with the rest of your design. Personally, I like to put one block in the header, and one block in the sidebar. In this particular theme, there is a block following the first post on the page.
3. Don’t fill your posts with AdSense Code. I have seen some blogs that put as many as 3 snippets of code in every single post. Again, that makes it hard to distinguish the content from the post. Some writers intentionally set AdSense code into the post in such a way as to try and deceive readers into clicking on their ads. I’m sure they make some money from this tactic, but it just makes me mad! If this happens to me, I generally will not return to the blog.
4. Make the code match your theme. Google has made it very easy to configure your code to fit seamlessly with your theme. Make the colors match, and tinker with the code until you get something that looks good on the page. Make sure your block fits into the spot you have ready for the code. Making it too large can throw off your whole template, or it can cut off the ad itself.
5. Place your code where it is noticeable, but not intrusive. This idea goes along with some of what I have already written, but it can certainly be repeated! Put your AdSense blocks in aesthetically pleasing places on your site. Don’t put it where it will interfere with the reading of your content. Face it, most people will read your blog because you have good content. If they find your ads intrusive to that goal, they will simply skip out, and go read someone else’s blog.

Some of these may simply reflect my own personal pet peeves, but that is ok too. You see, if they are my pet peeves, then they are probably someone else’s as well. If these tips will help to keep more readers on your site, and maybe even make a little money too, then they are well worth the effort!