Why Most Blogs Don’t Get Approved for AdSense (Real Reasons)
A clear, beginner-friendly breakdown of the real reasons blogs get rejected by Google AdSense — and what to fix before you request a review.
I’ve seen the same pattern again and again.
A beginner sets up a blog, writes a few posts, adds the “right” pages, pastes the AdSense code… and then gets that message:
“Your site isn’t ready to show ads.”
Or worse: “We found policy violations.”
And it feels personal — like Google looked at your work and said, “No.”
But here’s the truth: most AdSense rejections aren’t about one tiny mistake.
They’re about trust.
AdSense is not just “a way to earn money.” It’s Google placing advertisers on your pages. If your site looks unfinished, confusing, risky, or low-quality, advertisers could end up next to content they don’t want — and Google is not going to take that chance.
So in this post, I’m going to walk you through the real reasons blogs don’t get approved, the signals that trigger rejections, and what to fix before you request a review again.
No hype. No magic numbers. Just the boring, practical truth that actually gets sites approved.
First: AdSense approval isn’t a traffic contest
Let’s remove a common myth early:
You don’t need “10,000 monthly pageviews” to get approved.
There is no official traffic minimum. Some sites get approved with modest traffic. Some sites with decent traffic get rejected.
Why?
Because AdSense approval is about whether your site looks like a real publication that exists to serve users — not a thin set of pages built around ads.
Traffic can help show legitimacy, but it’s not the core requirement.
If you’re still building traffic and you want a grounded path forward, start with the basics: How to Promote Your Blog in 2025.
The real job of AdSense reviewers (human + automated)
People imagine an AdSense reviewer reading every word of your blog.
That’s not how it works.
AdSense uses a mix of automated checks and human review. They look for patterns that answer questions like:
Is this site safe for advertisers? Is there enough original value here? Can a visitor navigate it easily? Does the site feel complete, and does it comply with policies (both content and behavior)?
Think of it like a credit check for websites.
You’re not being judged on your writing talent alone. You’re being judged on whether your site is predictable, transparent, and not risky.
Reason #1: “Low value content” (and what it usually means)
This is the biggest umbrella reason.
And yes — it’s vague on purpose.
“Low value content” can mean:
1) Thin pages
Not short posts necessarily — thin posts.
That looks like:
A topic is introduced but not answered. You end up rephrasing the same idea for 1,000 words. Headings exist, but each section says almost nothing. Or the advice is so generic it has no examples, no specificity, and no “why.”
If your post could be copied to 50 different blogs with no changes, it’s usually too generic.
2) Repetitive structure across posts
This is where many new sites accidentally look “templated.”
If every post has:
- the same intro style
- the same headings in the same order
- the same phrasing and rhythm
…it can look machine-like, even if it wasn’t written by a bot.
The fix is not to “sound random.”
The fix is to write like a human with context:
Add an example from your experience. Mention a real decision you made (and what it cost you). Explain a trade-off or a small scenario that shows what happens in real life.
3) Content that feels unfinished
This includes:
“Coming soon” pages, placeholder text, sections with empty headings, broken internal links, missing images, or formatting that looks wrong on mobile.
To a reviewer, unfinished content = unstable site.
Reason #2: The site looks like it exists for ads (not readers)
This is one of the fastest ways to get rejected.
Here’s what “made for ads” looks like:
Too many ad slots compared to content (especially above the fold), aggressive CTAs on every screen, pages designed like landing pages instead of articles, and “top 10” lists with thin blurbs and no real evaluation.
Even if you haven’t placed ads yet, the structure can still give this vibe.
If your blog has affiliate content, make sure it still feels editorial: explain who a product is for, the trade-offs, and the decision logic — not just “buy this.”
And keep disclosures obvious. If you use affiliate links, your disclosure should be easy to find (and ideally visible on relevant pages): Affiliate Disclosure.
Reason #3: Poor navigation (Google can’t tell what your site is)
This one is underrated.
Your content could be decent, but if your site feels confusing, the approval odds drop.
Common problems:
No clear homepage path, broken menus, category pages that don’t actually list posts properly, “search” that doesn’t work (or returns empty results), and multiple sections with overlapping URLs that look messy.
AdSense wants a site that a normal visitor can use without thinking.
The simplest way to check this is:
Open your site on a phone.
Ask: “If I land on one post, can I easily find more posts without hunting?”
If the answer is no, fix that before you apply.
Reason #4: Missing transparency pages (or pages that don’t match reality)
AdSense doesn’t just care about content. It cares about user trust.
For a beginner blog, the minimum set usually includes:
A privacy policy, a contact page, an about page, a disclaimer/terms page, and an affiliate disclosure (if you do affiliate links).
You already have these pages set up. The key is that they should be easy to find and they should match what your site actually does.
But here’s the important part:
These pages should match what your site actually does.
If you claim “we don’t use cookies,” and then you run AdSense and analytics, that’s a mismatch.
If you mention ads/affiliates in the policy pages but disclosures are hidden, that’s a mismatch.
Mismatch = trust problem.
Reason #5: Bad page experience (especially on mobile)
AdSense approval is heavily tied to user experience.
If your site is hard to read, slow, or messy, it’s a risk.
Common UX issues:
Giant banners pushing content down, too many sticky elements (header + sidebar + CTA + cookie bar), large images not optimized (slow load, layout shift), cramped typography, and distracting animations.
If you’re not measuring anything, start with the basics: How to Set Up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for Your Blog.
Not because GA4 is “required,” but because it helps you spot behavior like:
- high bounce rate on certain posts
- users not scrolling
- slow pages losing readers
And yes: readability is a policy-adjacent issue.
If a page looks broken or hard to read, it can be treated as low quality even if the information is technically correct.
Reason #6: Too much affiliate content too early (without real value)
This is a quiet killer for new blogs.
Some beginners publish:
- a few thin informational posts
- then 10 “best products” posts with affiliate links
That ratio makes the site look commercially motivated and underdeveloped.
AdSense isn’t anti-affiliate.
But the site needs to look like a real content publication, not a product catalog.
If you want a safer monetization strategy that builds trust first, start with a simple roadmap (AdSense, affiliates, and digital products) and build it one layer at a time.
Reason #7: Policy-sensitive content (even if you didn’t mean it)
Sometimes the site is rejected because the content touches restricted topics in a risky way.
Even if your intent is educational, some areas require extra care.
Examples of content areas that can get messy fast:
Medical claims without credible sourcing, financial claims that imply guaranteed income, “get rich quick” framing, adult or suggestive content, and piracy/download pages.
This doesn’t mean you can’t write about money, health, or adult topics.
It means you need to write responsibly, cite sources, and avoid exaggerated promises.
On this site, a big one is income language.
If you write “AdSense will pay you X per day,” or “this is guaranteed,” that’s a red flag.
Keep it educational. Explain variables. Avoid hype.
Reason #8: Duplicate content (or content that looks copied)
This one can happen even if you didn’t copy anything.
It happens when:
- you paraphrase common advice without adding your own layer
- your writing sounds like a summary of top Google results
- multiple posts cover the same topic with slightly different titles
From a reader’s perspective, duplicate-y content feels like:
“I’ve read this already somewhere else.”
From AdSense’s perspective, it’s low value.
If you’re unsure how to make content feel uniquely yours, a simple tactic is:
Add the “why” behind advice. Add a specific scenario. Explain what you did (or what you would do), including trade-offs and edge cases.
That makes your content harder to clone.
Reason #9: Technical issues (the boring stuff that matters)
Sometimes the content is fine, but the setup is messy.
Here are common technical reasons:
1) Ad code is implemented incorrectly
This includes:
- ad script loaded multiple times
- ad slots placed inside components that re-render unpredictably
- broken markup around ad units
If you’re using a template system (like Jekyll), this is easy to mess up unintentionally.
2) Consent and privacy handling is missing (where required)
This is a big one in 2025.
In some regions (EU/EEA/UK), you need consent handling for personalized ads and certain cookies.
If you run AdSense globally with no consent flow, it can create policy complications.
3) Pages blocked by robots or noindex
If key pages are noindexed, blocked, or not accessible to AdSense review systems, the site can look incomplete.
4) Broken pages in the sitemap
If your sitemap points to pages that 404 or redirect strangely, it’s a messy signal.
If your site is still early, keep your setup simple and stable.
You can optimize later.
What to do after a rejection (without spiraling)
The worst thing you can do after a rejection is panic-edit your site for an hour and immediately request another review.
AdSense doesn’t reward speed. It rewards stability and trust.
If you got rejected today, here’s the calm approach I’d take.
Step 1: Stop thinking “one fix”
Most rejections are multi-factor. You might have decent content but messy navigation. Or good structure but thin “money” pages. Or strong posts but weak transparency. The rejection message often points to a category, not a single line of code.
So treat the rejection like a signal that your site, overall, still looks early.
Step 2: Do three passes (content, trust, technical)
Pass 1: Content pass
Open your top 10 posts and ask one question: “Does this page genuinely help someone?” If the post feels like a summary of other blogs, add your layer: a small story, a trade-off, a concrete example, or a clearer step-by-step explanation. Also check for unfinished sections, broken formatting, and weak internal linking.
If you’re unsure what “helpful” looks like in practice, focus on answering one clear question per post, using examples and trade-offs instead of generic summaries.
Pass 2: Trust pass
Now ignore the posts and look at the site like a stranger. Can you tell who runs it? Can you contact the owner? Do you see clear disclosures where money is involved? If you use affiliate links, keep that disclosure simple and visible.
This is not about having “perfect legal pages.” It’s about not surprising the reader.
Pass 3: Technical hygiene pass
Finally, check the boring stuff: broken links, 404s, odd redirects, and anything that makes the site feel unstable. If you’re using ads and analytics, make sure your setup isn’t duplicated and that pages load cleanly on mobile. If you’re not tracking anything, install analytics early so you can see behavior patterns instead of guessing.
Step 3: Wait long enough for the “new version” to be obvious
You don’t have to wait months, but you do want your changes to look real:
A few posts improved meaningfully (not just rewritten intros), navigation cleaned up, trust pages visible and consistent, and no obvious “unfinished” areas.
Then request review.
One small trick that helps: before you change anything, open your site in an incognito window on mobile and take notes like a reviewer would. Which pages feel thin? Which menus feel confusing? Where do you feel “lost”? That note becomes your punch list. It also keeps you from doing random edits that don’t move the needle.
If you want to use the rejection as an excuse to strengthen your whole monetization plan (instead of just chasing approval), keep it human-first: build content depth, then traffic, then ads.
Reason #10: The site feels “new” in the wrong way
This is subtle.
Some sites feel new in a healthy way:
- a few solid posts
- clear niche direction
- a consistent publishing rhythm
Other sites feel new in a suspicious way:
- dozens of posts published in one day
- inconsistent topics (blogging today, crypto tomorrow, recipes next week)
- a lot of templated content that reads similar
A human reviewer can smell “mass generated” content very quickly.
And automated systems can notice patterns too (publishing spikes, structural repetition, thin topical coverage).
If you’re building a new blog, it’s completely fine to publish quickly — but make sure each post is genuinely useful and different in voice and examples.
A realistic self-audit: “Would I trust this site if it wasn’t mine?”
Before you reapply, do this:
Pretend you are a stranger.
Open your site and ask:
Do I know who runs this blog? Can I contact them? Do I trust the content to be original and accurate? Can I navigate to more useful pages easily? Does this site feel like it will exist next month?
That last question matters more than people think.
AdSense is building a long-term relationship with publishers. A site that looks temporary is a risk.
A table of rejection signals (and what to do instead)
| What AdSense might see | What it signals | What to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Very generic posts | Low value content | Add examples, decisions, trade-offs, sourcing |
| Lots of list posts with thin blurbs | Made-for-affiliate vibe | Add evaluation criteria, who-it’s-for, pros/cons |
| Poor mobile reading experience | Bad UX | Reduce clutter, improve spacing, optimize images |
| Missing or mismatched policy pages | Low trust | Align privacy/disclosures with what you actually do |
| Messy navigation | Unclear site identity | Improve menus, category pages, related posts |
| Too many posts in one day | Pattern risk | Publish steadily, ensure variety and depth |
This table is not to scare you. It’s to give you a clean checklist you can act on.
Want a safer path to AdSense approval?
Start with a human-first monetization plan that builds trust and traffic before you depend on ads.
Read the beginner monetization roadmap ->What I would do if I had to get approved again from scratch
If I had to rebuild and get approved again, I would keep it boring and clean:
1) Pick one topic area and stick to it (at least for the first 20 posts).
2) Publish 15–25 posts that are genuinely useful and not repetitive.
3) Make navigation obvious: categories, search, related posts.
4) Ensure About, Contact, Privacy, and Disclosure pages are visible and truthful.
5) Avoid aggressive affiliate language early.
6) Keep the site fast and easy to read on mobile.
7) Fix technical hygiene: ad code once, no broken pages, no weird redirects.
Then I’d apply once, wait, fix what’s needed, and only request review after real changes.
Rushing re-reviews rarely helps.
If you’re worried your writing “sounds AI,” focus on these human signals
AdSense doesn’t publish a rule that says “no AI.”
But quality systems (and readers) react badly to content that feels machine-generated.
If you want your content to feel 100% human, do these:
Add 2–3 moments of real context (“when I tried this…”, “what surprised me…”, “the mistake I made…”). Use examples that are specific to your niche and audience. Avoid repeating the same sentence structure across posts. Write fewer but better posts — and update older ones.
If you want a practical example of human-first writing that still supports monetization, this is a good reference: What Is Google AdSense & How It Really Works (For Beginners).
FAQs (People Also Ask)
1. Do I need a minimum amount of traffic to get AdSense approval?
There is no official minimum. Approval depends more on site quality, original content, navigation, and policy compliance than on traffic.
2. How many posts should I publish before applying to AdSense?
There is no fixed number, but most beginner sites do better with 15–25 solid, original posts that clearly match one topic area.
3. What does “low value content” mean in AdSense reviews?
It usually means content that feels thin, generic, repetitive, or unhelpful, or a site that looks incomplete or made mainly for ads.
4. Can AI-written content get approved for AdSense?
AdSense focuses on quality and policy compliance, not how you typed the words. But generic, repetitive, or obviously machine-like content often fails the quality bar.
5. How long should I wait before requesting another AdSense review?
Fix the underlying issues first. Then request a review once your site is clearly improved and stable; rushing re-reviews without changes usually delays approval.
If you’re currently stuck on an AdSense rejection, don’t treat it like a verdict.
Treat it like feedback.
Make the site cleaner. Make the content more useful. Make the navigation obvious. Make the trust signals clear.
When your blog feels like a real publication — not a project — approval becomes much more likely.
