For many website owners and content creators, Google AdSense represents the first real opportunity to earn passive income from their online efforts. After months of building content, customizing layouts, and driving traffic, submitting your site for AdSense approval feels like a rite of passage.
But what happens when you open your email and find the dreaded message: “Your site does not comply with our policies” or “Your AdSense application has been disapproved”?
If you have been rejected by AdSense, you are not alone. Thousands of applications are turned down every day — not necessarily because people are trying to cheat the system, but often because they misunderstand AdSense’s policies or overlook technical details. The good news is that most rejections can be fixed, and most websites can get approved with the right steps.
This guide will help you understand why AdSense rejections happen, how to fix common problems, and how to give your site the best possible chance when you reapply.
Understanding Google AdSense: What They Look For
Before you can fix a rejection, it helps to know what AdSense wants in the first place.
At its core, Google AdSense is about delivering value to advertisers. Google wants to place ads on websites that are high-quality, trustworthy, and user-friendly — sites that will not harm advertisers’ reputations or waste their money.
AdSense checks your site for these core requirements:
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Unique, original content
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Adequate amount of content
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Good user experience and clear navigation
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Compliance with Google’s program policies
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A functional website that is fully owned and controlled by you
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Proper technical setup (such as valid DNS, ads.txt, and domain ownership)
Let’s break down how applicants typically fall short in these areas — and what you can do to fix each one.
1. Insufficient or Duplicate Content
This is the number one reason sites are rejected. Google wants to see that your site is original and valuable. If you have thin pages, copied content, or filler text, you will almost certainly be denied.
How to fix it:
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Write original content in your own words. Do not copy from other sites.
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Ensure each post is useful and comprehensive. Aim for at least 500-800 words per post as a minimum, but longer content is usually better.
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Publish enough content before applying. Many experts recommend having at least 20–30 well-written posts covering different topics within your niche.
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Avoid “under construction” pages, empty categories, or placeholder text.
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Use plagiarism checkers to ensure your writing is unique.
2. Poor Site Design or Navigation
AdSense reviewers want to see that visitors can easily navigate your site. If your site looks messy, confusing, or incomplete, you will likely be rejected.
How to fix it:
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Use a clean, professional theme or template. Avoid cluttered sidebars, pop-ups, or distracting animations.
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Add clear menus and navigation bars so visitors can find your pages easily.
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Include essential pages: an About page, a Contact page, and a Privacy Policy. Google considers these minimum requirements.
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Make sure all internal and external links work properly.
3. Copyrighted or Prohibited Content
Some applicants are unaware that Google bans certain types of content entirely. This includes adult material, pirated media, drugs, weapons, and misleading or harmful content.
How to fix it:
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Remove any material that violates Google’s program policies.
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Do not host copyrighted files you do not own.
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Make sure user-generated content (like comments) does not include prohibited material. Moderate it carefully.
4. Traffic Manipulation
Google wants organic, real visitors. Sites using click farms, bots, or traffic exchange schemes are likely to be blacklisted.
How to fix it:
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Focus on building organic traffic through quality content and SEO.
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Avoid paying for low-quality traffic from shady sources.
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Do not click your own ads or encourage visitors to do so.
5. Using Free Hosting or Subdomains
One of the less obvious reasons for rejection is using a free platform with a subdomain — for example, yoursite.wordpress.com or yoursite.blogspot.com. While it is possible to get approved this way, Google generally favors sites with a custom top-level domain (like yourname.com).
Why?
Owning your domain signals that you are serious about your website. It also gives you more control over your files, DNS, and ads.txt.
How to fix it:
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Buy a custom domain name from a trusted registrar. Domains are inexpensive and easy to set up.
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Connect your domain to your site through your host’s control panel.
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Ensure your DNS records are configured correctly so Google’s crawlers can verify your ownership.
6. DNS and Hosting Issues
Sometimes, AdSense cannot even access your site properly due to DNS misconfigurations or downtime. If Google’s bots cannot reach your site, you cannot be approved.
How to fix it:
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Double-check your DNS settings with your hosting provider. Ensure your domain points to the correct server.
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Use reliable hosting to avoid frequent downtime.
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Test your site’s availability from different locations to ensure there are no regional blocks or errors.
7. The ads.txt File Problem
In recent years, Google has required sites to use an ads.txt file to declare who is authorized to sell your ad inventory. If you do not have an ads.txt file set up correctly, your site might be rejected or your ads may not serve properly later.
What is ads.txt?
Ads.txt is a simple text file you place in the root directory of your website. It lists all the companies authorized to sell ads on your site — in this case, Google.
How to fix it:
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Create a plain text file named ads.txt.
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Add Google’s recommended line:
Replace pub-0000000000000000 with your actual AdSense Publisher ID.
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Upload ads.txt to your site’s root folder. For example: yourdomain.com/ads.txt.
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Verify that the file is accessible by visiting that URL in your browser.
8. Applying Too Soon
Many new site owners are so eager to monetize that they apply for AdSense right away — sometimes before they have even published any meaningful content.
How to fix it:
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Take your time. Build your site’s content library first.
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Wait until you have consistent organic traffic. While there is no strict traffic minimum, a few hundred visitors per month shows your site is active and growing.
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Check Google Search Console to ensure your pages are indexed.
The Reapplication Process
Once you have fixed the issues, you can reapply. There is no limit on how many times you can apply — but each rejection makes approval harder. So it is wise to get it right next time.
Steps to reapply:
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Fix every issue in your rejection notice. Google usually provides a general reason, so use it as a checklist.
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Update your site thoroughly: add more content, fix design flaws, test links, and confirm technical configurations.
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Give it some time. Wait a few weeks before reapplying. This gives Google’s bots time to recrawl your site.
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Submit your site again through the AdSense dashboard.
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Be patient during the review. It can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Extra Tips for a Successful Approval
Focus on quality over quantity
One high-quality, helpful post is worth more than ten generic articles. Google is extremely good at detecting spammy, shallow content.
Prioritize mobile-friendliness
Most visitors now browse from mobile devices. Make sure your site looks good and works smoothly on phones and tablets. Use responsive themes and test your pages on different screen sizes.
Speed matters
A slow site creates a poor user experience. Optimize your images, minimize plugins, and use a good hosting provider to keep your site fast.
Stay compliant
Once you are approved, you still need to follow AdSense’s rules. Violations can get your account suspended or banned permanently.
Should You Give Up If You’re Rejected?
Absolutely not. Getting rejected is not a sign that you are doomed to fail. It is simply feedback that your site is not ready yet.
Almost every successful blogger, publisher, or content creator has faced rejection — sometimes more than once. The difference between those who succeed and those who quit is persistence and the willingness to fix mistakes.
Use a rejection as motivation to refine your site. Improve your writing. Polish your design. Learn more about SEO and traffic-building. Each step makes your site better — and increases your chances of approval the next time.
When to Consider Other Options
While AdSense is the world’s biggest ad network, it is not the only way to monetize a website. If your niche or content makes AdSense approval unlikely, explore alternatives:
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Affiliate marketing: Promote other people’s products and earn a commission for each sale or lead.
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Direct ads: Sell ad space directly to companies in your niche.
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Sponsored content: Collaborate with brands for paid posts or reviews.
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Memberships or subscriptions: Offer premium content for paying members.
Many top websites use multiple income streams alongside AdSense — and some never use AdSense at all.
Final Thoughts
Getting rejected by Google AdSense can be frustrating — but it is not the end of your monetization journey. It is a checkpoint that reminds you to focus on quality, user experience, and proper site management.
Take the feedback seriously. Fix what needs fixing. Buy a custom domain if you do not have one. Clean up your site’s design, expand your content, check your DNS settings, and set up your ads.txt correctly.
With persistence, your site can pass Google’s review and unlock the revenue potential you have been working for. More importantly, the improvements you make will benefit your visitors — and that, ultimately, is what keeps your website sustainable and profitable in the long run.
So, roll up your sleeves, put in the work, and try again. Approval is not about luck — it is about preparation and dedication.
When the approval email finally arrives, you will know it was worth every step.
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