[WordPress Blog Setup Series ⑥] Applying for Google AdSense

Once you’ve filled in enough content as covered in Part 5, it’s finally time to apply for Google AdSense, the gateway to monetization. This part covers the AdSense sign-up process and the initial screen layout in detail.

---

AdSense Application Process

1. Go to google.com/adsense → log in with your Google account
2. Click Get Started
3. Enter your site URL (myexample.com)
4. Fill in basic information such as country and payment details

---

What Does the AdSense Initial Screen Mean?

Right after applying, the AdSense screen typically shows three steps:

1. We’ve verified your information (Complete)

This means your Google account’s basic info (name, address, etc.) has been successfully verified. This usually shows as complete automatically.

2. See what your ads could look like on your site (Optional)

This is a preview feature showing how ads might appear on your site. It’s optional, so skipping it doesn’t affect your review process.

3. Connect your site to AdSense (Required)

This is the step where you register and connect the website or blog that will display ads and generate revenue. This is the actually most important required step.

---

“I Don’t Have a Site Yet” — What Are the Alternatives?

If you haven’t set up a domain and WordPress in advance like in this series, you can first create a content space using one of the following alternatives:

• Setting up a Tistory blog (recommended in Korea): The most commonly used blogging platform for AdSense approval in Korea. Set up a free blog, write a few posts, then enter that blog’s address as your site in AdSense.
• Building a WordPress site: The approach covered in this series — buying your own domain and running it as a homepage or blog.
• Google Blogger/Blogspot: A free blogging service from Google, which makes AdSense integration very easy since it’s the same Google ecosystem.

However, if you’ve already set up your own domain and WordPress site as covered in this series, you can skip these alternative platforms and register your own domain directly with AdSense.

---

Application Steps Summary

1. First, set up a content space (Tistory, Google Blogger, etc., or your own domain + WordPress).
2. Copy that site’s (blog’s) address.
3. Click the [+ Add Site] button at the top of the screen and enter the address.
4. Insert the code snippet AdSense provides into your site’s HTML source, or follow the instructions to complete the ownership verification process, which then puts your site into review.

Based on where we are in this series, here’s the summary:

1. [Complete] Domain purchase
2. [Complete] Hosting sign-up + nameserver connection + WordPress installation
3. [Complete] Writing about 10–20 posts
4. [In Progress] Clicking [+ Add Site] in AdSense → entering the domain
5. [Next Step] Inserting the verification code snippet Google provides
6. [Next Step] Clicking Verify → waiting for review

In other words, “Connect your site to AdSense” is effectively the final application step, done after WordPress installation and content creation are complete.

---

Coming Up Next

Once you’ve registered your site’s address, there’s still a step left to prove to Google that “this site really belongs to me” — the ownership verification process. Part 7 covers the two verification methods, code insertion and DNS, in detail.