Add Google AdSense to Your WordPress Site

Set up your AdSense account

1. Open the Google AdSense website and click Sign up.

   

2. Enter your site address and your contact details.

   

3. Accept the terms. Wait for Google to review and approve your site.

Terms you will see

• Ad unit. A group of ads with a set size and type.
• Display ads. Normal banner ads in many sizes.
• In-feed ads. Ads placed in a list of posts.
• In-article ads. Ads placed inside a post.
• AdSense code. The snippet that shows ads on your site.
• CTR (click-through rate). The share of visitors who click an ad.

Create an ad unit

1. Log in to AdSense. Go to Ads, then By ad unit, then Create new ad unit.

   

2. Give it a clear name, such as Sidebar Ad. Choose a size or Responsive.
3. Click Create and copy the ad code.

Add ads to WordPress

Method 1: Paste the code

1. In WordPress, go to Appearance, then Theme File Editor.

   

2. Open header.php (or footer.php). Paste the AdSense code just before </head>.
3. Click Update File.

Method 2: Use the Site Kit plugin

1. Go to Plugins, then Add New. Search for Site Kit by Google, then install and activate it.

   

2. Follow the setup to connect your Google account.
3. In Site Kit, open Settings, then Connect more services, and connect AdSense.

Good ad placement

• Put ads where people see them: the sidebar, the header or inside the content.
• Do not fill the page with ads. Too many ads drive visitors away.
• Test different spots and compare the results.

Keep your account in good shape

• Publish good, original content.
• Keep your site clean and fast.
• Follow the AdSense program policies.

Quick recap

• Get your site approved, create an ad unit, and add the code.
• Site Kit is the easiest way to connect AdSense.
• Place ads with care.