Can You Still Make Money? Yes. But...
Google AdSense still pays, and people do make money.
However, the golden era of easy earnings is long gone. The main
challenges today are:
- Lower RPMs (Revenue per 1,000 Impressions) – Ad rates aren’t what they used to be.
- More Competition – More websites, more content, and more alternatives to Google’s ad network.
- Google’s AI-Generated Results – Search engine traffic is declining for blogs because Google is showing direct answers via AI, cutting out the need to click on a website.
What’s Hurting AdSense Earnings?
- Ad Blockers Are Everywhere – Many users block ads entirely, reducing impressions and earnings.
- Google’s AI Overview – More users get answers directly in search, meaning fewer clicks to websites.
- Mobile Traffic Pays Less – Most traffic comes from mobile, but mobile ads earn far less than desktop ads.
- Strict Policies – AdSense bans accounts left and right. A single mistake, and you’re out.
Who Can Still Make Good Money with AdSense?
Making serious money requires high traffic and specific niches:
- Finance & Insurance – High CPC (Cost Per Click), but competitive.
- Health & Medical Advice – Decent CPM, but requires expertise.
- Tech Reviews – Gadgets, software, and tech have strong ad rates.
- How-To Websites – If you solve real problems, people will still visit.
But even in these niches, you need tens of thousands of visitors daily to make a decent living.
The Hard Truth: AdSense Alone Won’t Cut It
If you’re starting today, relying only on AdSense isn’t
the best game plan. Here’s why:
- Traffic is harder to get – SEO alone won’t cut it; social media & email lists are crucial.
- Earnings per visitor are too low – Most sites earn $1-$10 per 1,000 views.
- You don’t own the platform – Google can cut your earnings overnight (like they’ve done before).
For a sustainable online income, you need multiple revenue streams.
Better Ways to Monetize a Website in 2025
If you’re going to blog or build a website, here’s how to
maximize earnings:
✔ Affiliate Marketing – Sell
other people’s products and earn commissions (pays more than ads).
✔ Sponsored Posts – Brands
will pay directly for exposure.
✔ Email Marketing &
Digital Products – Sell eBooks, courses, or paid newsletters.
✔ Membership/Subscriptions –
Charge for exclusive content.
Smart strategy? Use AdSense as a side hustle, but focus on higher-paying monetization methods.
Final Verdict: Is AdSense Still Worth It?
➡ For beginners? Meh. You
need crazy traffic to make real money.
➡ For established sites? Maybe, as a small income stream, but don’t rely on it.
➡ For long-term business? Nope. Build email lists, sell products, or go for affiliates.
Bottom Line
Google AdSense is still alive, but not as profitable as it once was. If you’re serious about making money online, diversify—don’t depend on one income source.