AdSense vs. Affiliate Marketing: Which is Better for Monetizing Your Blog?

Monetizing a blog is one of the most exciting aspects of content creation, but choosing the right method can be overwhelming. Should you go for Google AdSense and earn from ad placements or dive into affiliate marketing, where commissions are earned through referrals?

Both monetization methods have their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases. In this guide, you'll learn how Google AdSense and affiliate marketing work, their earning potential, pros and cons, and how to strategically use them to maximize revenue.

If you're wondering how to earn money from Google AdSense, get Google AdSense approval, or start affiliate marketing on Blogspot, this comprehensive guide is for you. Let’s explore which monetization method works best for your blog!

 

 

What is Google AdSense?

 

 

Google AdSense is an advertising platform by Google that connects publishers (bloggers and website owners) with advertisers who want to promote their products. It allows you to display ads on your site and earn revenue when visitors view or click on these ads.

 

How Google AdSense Works:

 

1. Sign up & Apply – You need to get Google AdSense approval by meeting Google’s eligibility requirements, including high-quality content and compliance with AdSense policies.

2. Ad Placement – After approval, you insert Google AdSense ad codes into your site to display ads.

3. Revenue Generation – You earn through:

• Cost Per Click (CPC): When users click an ad, they get paid.

• Cost Per Mille (CPM): Earnings per 1,000 ad impressions.

4. Payment Processing – Once you reach the Google AdSense payment threshold ($100), Google processes your earnings.

 

 

How to Get Google AdSense Approval?

 

To qualify for AdSense, your blog must:

• Contain original, high-quality content that provides value to readers.

• Have an easy-to-navigate website design.

• Comply with Google AdS policies.

• Meet traffic requirements (though AdSense works even with low traffic).

 

 

How Much Can You Earn?

 

Your AdSense earnings depend on several factors, such as:

• Traffic Volume – More visitors mean higher earning potential.

• Click-Through Rate (CTR) – The percentage of visitors clicking ads.

• Cost-Per-Click (CPC) – Some niches (e.g., finance, tech) pay more per click than others.

 

Use a Google AdSense revenue calculator to estimate your earnings based on niche and traffic volume.

 

 

Pros and Cons of Google AdSense

 

Pros:

• Generates passive income once set up.

• Works on all blog pages, including informational content.

• Google manages ad placement and payment processing.

 

Cons:

• Earnings per visitor are relatively low unless you have high traffic.

• Limited control over ad types displayed.

• The strict approval process makes it difficult for new bloggers.

 

 

What is Affiliate Marketing?

 

Image Source- AffiliateBLOG.de

 

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based monetization model where bloggers earn commissions by promoting products or services through special tracking links. When a visitor clicks an affiliate link and makes a purchase, the blogger earns a commission.

 

 

How to Start Affiliate Marketing?

 

1. Join an Affiliate Program – Sign up with platforms like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, or Awin.

2. Select Products to Promote – Choose products relevant to your niche.

3. Create High-Quality Content – Write product reviews, tutorials, and comparison articles that include affiliate links.

4. Drive Traffic & Earn Commissions – The more conversions you generate, the more money you make.

 

 

How to Do Affiliate Marketing Effectively?

 

• Optimize for SEO and user intent.

• Use targeted marketing campaigns.

• Balance affiliate links with informational content to increase engagement.

• Track conversions and adjust strategy accordingly.

 

 

Types of Affiliate Marketing Programs

 

• Pay-Per-Sale (PPS): Earn a commission for every completed purchase.

• Pay-Per-Lead (PPL): Get paid when visitors sign up or complete a form.

• Recurring Commissions: Earn a percentage of ongoing subscriptions (e.g., SaaS products).

 

Pros and Cons of Affiliate Marketing

 

Pros:

• Higher earnings per visitor compared to AdSense.

• Full control over which products you promote.

• Doesn’t require high traffic to be profitable.

 

Cons:

• Requires ongoing content creation and audience engagement.

• Not all visitors convert into buyers, affecting income predictability.

• Some affiliate programs have delayed payout cycles.

 

Google AdSense vs. Affiliate Marketing: A Head-to-Head Comparison

 

Criteria	Google AdSense	Affiliate Marketing
Purpose	Earn from displaying ads	Earn commissions by promoting products
Earning Potential	Lower earnings per visitor	Higher earnings per visitor
Preferred for	Blogs with high traffic & informational content	Blogs with niche audiences & buyer intent
Control & Flexibility	Google selects ads	Full control over promotions
Effort Required	Minimal setup, passive income	Requires active content creation & engagement
Traffic Needs	Works with lower-traffic	Needs targeted traffic for conversions
Approval Process	Strict	Easier to join programs
Payout Frequency	Monthly	Varies (weekly/monthly)

 

 

Which One Should You Choose?

 

Your best monetization method depends on your niche and goals:

• Choose Google AdSense if your blog has high traffic but low buyer intent.

• Choose Affiliate Marketing if you create product reviews, how-to guides, or content designed to drive conversions.

• Use both strategically for a diversified revenue stream.

 

 

Can You Use Google AdSense & Affiliate Marketing Together?

 

Yes! Many bloggers successfully use both methods to maximize their earnings. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

 

1. Utilize Google AdSense for Informational Content: Pages that generate high traffic but lack direct buyer intent (e.g., general blog posts, news articles, educational content) are ideal for AdSense.

2. Leverage Affiliate Marketing for Targeted Content: Product reviews, comparison guides, and tutorial-based content where users are actively searching for solutions that are best suited for affiliate marketing.

3. Balance Ad Placements: Avoid overcrowding your blog with ads and affiliate links. Place affiliate links naturally within the content, and ensure AdSense ads are strategically positioned to avoid distracting users.

4. Test & Optimize: Monitor the performance of both methods, track conversion rates, and adjust placements for maximum profitability.

 

By combining both approaches, bloggers can enjoy the steady passive income of AdSense while benefiting from the higher commission rates of affiliate marketing.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Both Google AdSense and affiliate marketing offer viable ways to monetize a blog, but their effectiveness depends on your content strategy, audience, and long-term goals. AdSense is ideal for bloggers who generate high traffic with informational content but have low buyer intent. 

 

On the other hand, affiliate marketing provides greater earning potential for niche-focused blogs where visitors are actively looking to make a purchase. By carefully balancing both methods, you can create a sustainable revenue stream that maximizes your blog’s earning potential.

 

At W3era, we specialize in helping bloggers and businesses optimize their digital strategies. Whether you're looking to boost AdSense earnings, improve affiliate conversions, or create a diversified monetization plan, our team is here to help. Get in touch with us today and take your blog monetization to the next level!

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. What is the Difference Between AdSense and Affiliate Marketing?

Google AdSense is an advertising network where website owners display ads provided by Google and earn money based on clicks and impressions. In contrast, affiliate marketing is a model where bloggers promote specific products or services and earn a commission on each sale or conversion. AdSense requires high traffic for substantial earnings, while affiliate marketing relies on targeted audiences and high conversion rates.

 

2. Who Pays More Than AdSense?

Affiliate marketing generally pays more than AdSense because commissions per sale are often higher than earnings per ad click. Premium ad networks like Ezoic, Mediavine, and AdThrive may also pay more than Google AdSense, especially for blogs with high-quality traffic. However, affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, and ClickBank often yield even higher returns due to better commission structures.

 

3. How Much Does AdSense Pay Per 1000 Views?

 

Google AdSense payments per 1000 views (CPM) vary depending on your niche, audience, and geographic location. On average:

• Low-CPC niches (e.g., entertainment, gaming) earn between $1–$5 per 1000 views.

• Mid-tier niches (e.g., lifestyle, travel) earn $5–$10 per 1000 views.

• High-CPC niches (e.g., finance, legal, insurance) can earn $20–$50 per 1000 views. Use a Google AdSense revenue calculator to estimate your earnings based on traffic volume.

 

4. How Do I Make $100 a Day on AdSense?

 

To make $100 per day on AdSense, you need:

• High Traffic Volume – At least 10,000 – 50,000 daily pageviews, depending on CPC.

• Target High-CPC Niches – Finance, health, insurance, and tech-related topics offer higher CPC rates.

• Optimize Ad Placement – Place ads in high-visibility areas (above the fold, sidebar, and within content).

• Improve Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Use engaging content and strategic ad positioning.

• Increase Organic Traffic – Focus on SEO and keyword optimization to drive consistent traffic from search engines.

 

5.  Does AdSense Pay Monthly?

Yes, Google AdSense pays publishers monthly. The minimum payout threshold is $100, and payments are processed between the 21st and 26th of each month. If your earnings are below the threshold, they roll over to the next month.

 

6. How Do I Make $1000 Per Day?

To earn $1000 per day, you need to diversify revenue streams by combining AdSense, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and digital product sales. Focus on high-ticket affiliate products (e.g., SaaS tools, online courses) and scale traffic growth through SEO, social media, and email marketing. Optimizing conversion rates, and ad placements, and leveraging video content such as YouTube monetization will further maximize earnings.

 

People Also Read: How to Identify the Best Affiliate Websites for My Brand?