Now on to my post question, "Do you utilize AdSense on your blog?" I signed up for it about two months ago, & was kind of surprised at how intrusive the ads seemed to be on my post pages. I didn't really sign up thinking I would make a bunch of money, but rather that it was a pretty painless way to make a bit of "fun" money if it actually brought in any money at all. I have kind of gotten used to the intrusiveness (kind of) & hadn't been paying any attention to my account until yesterday. I received a notification in the mail from Google "Google AdSense Support" & it contained my "Personal Pin #." Well, that looked rather official, so I followed their steps to go into my account. My account was showing that I had a whopping $6.42 amount, but that the funds are only paid out after it reaches $100. What? It also said the funds were frozen until I "jumped through their hoops" for tax purposes -- get a tax ID #, file this form, & on and on. That just seems like a lot of "red tape" for the amount of money & the (cough, cough) speed at which it is accumulating.
As I write this post, I'm trying to decide if it's even worth it to have these ads on my posts. Have any of you felt this way & what did you decide? I know that some of my favorite sites have ads & sponsors. I think that's great, because most of those blogs are really big & they do the linky parties & lots of give-aways. Those bloggers spend a lot of time making things nice for a lot of other bloggers, & if they can earn some monetary reward for that, then more power to them.
As I sit here pondering this situation, I'm trying to remember if I've ever responded to one of these ads on someone else's blog. Truthfully, I have not. Have you? I visit blogs to learn new things, see what my friends have been up to, & just feel a connection with a great group of people. I do visit some of the Sponsors (if they are another blogger); but I never pay any attention to the ads, I guess because I know I can find any of those things on Google anytime I want. So what's your take on this? Do you blog just for fun or do you blog for fun & hope you might gain some monetary reward, too? Do tell.
Now, because I know that a post without photos is just too blah for most of you, I'm happily sharing a couple of my latest pics of my 2 youngest "grands."
Avery at 2 months. I could just kiss those cheeks all day long!
Flynn at 2 1/2. Can she wear a hat or what?
I do truly hope you will let me know what your feelings are regarding AdSense. I know I'm pretty close to pulling-the-plug, but I do very much value your opinions. Anyway, hope you are having a wonderful day, thanks for stopping by and please come again soon.
CAS
i have definitely debated on adding adsense....but yeah, i think you are right - i very seldom click on an ad on someone's blog, and i feel like it just kind of messes up the look i want. if only i had enough followers to try getting sponsors....i think that would be the way to go!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I learned a lot. I have not plaid with it. I'd have similar concerns, though. I think I'd rather have sponsors who pay to have a button on my site for advertising than AdSense. That way I can control how it looks and all. But, I figure I'll wait on all of that until I have enough followers to justify it. What number that is, I have no idea. haha.
ReplyDeleteI never click on google ads but I do the sponsers if it's something that I'm interested in! I think the google ads are good for the blogs that have alot of followers though!
ReplyDeleteOk, ok, you twisted my arm so I will tell ya what I think! First let me say the babies are both beauties, bet they both look just like you :)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you got down to the nitty gritty and told us about all the red tape, tax id, etc. Thanks. No, I never ever click on any of the ads on another blog. More importantly, if I go to a blog (ok, here comes the ugly) and it is bogged down with advertisements, or so cluttered that it is difficult to get around, I just click out and don't even bother staying. Personally, I blog for fun, and when the fun is taken out of it, it is of no use to me. If one choose's to have sponsors, advertisements and all of that, it perfectly ok by me. Oh, another ugly coming....I prefer the smaller blogs who follow back if you follow, at least respond to a comment occasionally, not the ones who require you to "follow" just to play in the linky parties, yet when you do follow or play in their parties, they do not have the courtesy to follow back, respond or anything. Oh my, another can of worms I am getting into.
Ads or no ads, your one of my favorites and always will be just because of your kindness,(and I like your blog). So glad your feeling "normal" again.
Hello Cas! Thank you for initiating this post. It is enlightening to me. I am actually planning to pull those Google Adsense in my blog but I heard a lot of not so good feedbacks about it. Your post gave me real information from first hand experience.
ReplyDeleteRegarding some of your points, I also don't often click on sponsored ads on other's blogs. If the product the ad is feautring is so close and familiar to me, there are instances that I click it.
When I revived my interest in blogging, my motive was to pursue my passion in writing and blogging. At that time, I don't have an idea that I could earn though blogging. I admit though that I started to add sponsor buttons in my blog. But those ads occupy a small space in my blog and I always ensure that the ads will not defeat my primary purpose of blogging.
The priority is always blogging than earning. Passion before anything else. :)
Such cute grandbabies!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't use ad sense because I think it might take forever to get any money out of it!
I like the small sponsors that some blogs have but I think you need a pretty big following to get any!
glad your feeling better too...
Cindy
Thanks for posting this. I've read all the comments too. I'm a new blogger so I know next to nothing on advertising for now. I was going to find out more to see if it would be something I would do in the future. This post has been very helpful on the adsense so thank you!
ReplyDeleteAdorable grandkids! I haven't tried AdSense, or other ad services because I've seen how other blogger friends earn from it. They would consistently 'ask' other bloggers to click on the ads on their pages and in return, they would click on the ads on your blog too. It gets irritating :) I also agree with Teresa's comment that if I visit a site with too many ads, I simply click 'Back' and browse away from that page. When I visit a blog, I visit for the content. I rarely click on an ad (I do click on ads when the ads are interesting). I think a more effective way to earn from a blog is through sponsors. Just my opinion :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning missy....so glad you are both feeling better...I haven't been on here as much as I'd like so catching up a bit for a few minutes....I haven't done the adsense thing yet, but was thinking about it so glad to hear what you had to say....also, going back to check out your other post this morning....ps: my friends were in AZ over Easter break and found a house that they are going to buy as long as everything goes through...I'll keep you posted and would love for the 2 of you to meet...When I visit her next winter, I'd love to meet you in person too!!!!!
ReplyDeletexo, Mariaelena
Cas, Once again i have learned a lot from you. Thank you for the info.
ReplyDeleteYour grandbabies are cuties .
I haven't added any ads yet and I haven't clicked on Google ads on any blogs. I usually just ignore them! But I do check out sponsor ads. I have found some great things because of them!
ReplyDeleteHi Cass,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are feeling more like your ole self!
I have thought about adding that,
or blogher, but when I read up on Blogher they can pretty much dictate what you can and can't write about,
and I didn't care for that, but I also have heard others say that it adds up very very slowly.
I have clicked on a few ads mostly because I did know some of them were only doing it to make money,
so I tried to help, but typically unless it is just something irrestible I don't click on the,
like you, not my purpose.
I have read where it is best to get your own sponsers, but have no idea how you go about that, cause I have thought I love doing this, and if I could make a lil $$ why not!!
So if you hear anything about that,
give me a holler!! lol
Take Care, and your grandchildren are adorable. So Cute!! Know you are enjoying them...........
Blessings, Nellie
I accidentally added adsense when I first started because I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I keep meaning to take it off & I forget.
ReplyDeleteThose sure are some cute little girls!!!
Hey CAS, we debated doing adsense when we started our blog but I am very security conscious and they asked for too much personal info. If our blog turns out what we hope it to be we'll explore sponsors but I don't think adsense. I'm glad you gave us all the low down on what it's really like. I don't often click on adsense unless by accident or...well, really just by accident and if it bogs down the site I also click off unless it is something I can't do without. I find it often gets in the way of what I'm really looking for.
ReplyDeleteEve
bumblebliss.blogspot.com
I've never used AdSense so I am not help there. Sorry! Adorable pictures though! Thanks so much for linking up to our Super Stalker Sunday! We hope to see you back next week! I am following you on GFC! If you have a Twitter and FB please let me know and I'd be happy to follow there too! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteApril @ Mama on a Green Mission
http://greenmissionmama.blogspot.com
Thanks for your nice comment on our blog!!
ReplyDeleteGlad I stopped by your blog. I had been debating AdSense but it seemed like a lot of work. I'll check keep blogging away for free. I was afraid I might make it into something I didn't want it to be if I started to get paid for it..kind of like a job.
I have to admit that I have debated it too.... But I have to agree with you. I just don't think that I have enough traffic to justify the ugly ads. Don't get me wrong ... if you have a blog that actually makes money through the ads, good for you! :) But as for me and my house... we're bloggin' ad free... for now... :)
ReplyDelete~Liz
I'm using the ads as placecards until someone isn't skeezed out by my blog and forks over some cash. Until then, the trickle of coins doesn't hurt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the baby fix. Now I'm craving a nice snack of toes.