AdSense placement best practices for content sites (reader-first)

Ad placement is a balancing act: you want revenue, but you also want a site people enjoy using. The fastest way to get rejected (or to lose readers) is to treat ads as the main content. A reader-first layout keeps you review-friendly and grows long-term revenue.

Start with the reader path

Ask: "What is the smallest, cleanest path from landing to value?" For most articles, the path is:

1. Title and intro are visible immediately
2. The first screen tells the reader they are in the right place
3. The content is easy to scan

Ads should never interrupt steps 1 and 2. If a new visitor sees ads before they understand the topic, they are more likely to bounce and less likely to trust your site.

Safe placement patterns for articles

Here are placements that usually work well for content sites:

• After the first 2 to 4 paragraphs (not above the title)
• Mid-article after a clear section break
• Near the end of the article, before related posts or the author box

If an article is short, use fewer ads. Density matters more than having a specific number of placements.

Manual vs auto ads

Auto ads can be helpful, but they can also place ads in awkward spots. For new sites, start with manual placements so you control the experience. Once you see stable engagement and no layout issues, you can test auto ads carefully and remove any placements that feel aggressive.

Placement by article length

Use a simple rule of thumb:

• Under 800 words: 1 ad max
• 800 to 1500 words: 2 ads
• 1500+ words: 2 to 3 ads, spaced far apart

This keeps the ad-to-content ratio reasonable and reduces policy risk.

What to avoid

• Ads between the title and the first paragraph
• Ads that look like navigation buttons or download links
• Multiple ads stacked on top of each other near the top
• Ads that push the primary content below the fold

Home and blog index pages

Index pages should feel like content discovery, not a grid of ads. Safer placements:

• One ad after the latest posts block
• One ad between page sections (for example, after categories)

Avoid placing ads so tightly that posts look separated by ads rather than content.

Category and tag pages

Category and tag pages are often thin. If you use ads there:

• Keep it to one placement
• Avoid placing ads above the list of posts
• Consider no ads on very short archives

The goal is to keep navigation clear and reduce clutter.

Mobile layout rules

Most AdSense reviews emphasize mobile user experience. Keep it clean:

• Make sure the first screen shows the article title and intro
• Avoid sticky ads that cover the content
• Leave adequate spacing around ad containers so they do not feel like part of the content

If mobile feels cramped, remove placements before you add more.

Labeling and separation

Clear labeling builds trust and avoids confusion:

• Use a visible label like "Advertisement"
• Keep ad containers visually distinct from content blocks
• Avoid placing ads next to buttons, forms, or download links

Readers should never confuse ads with navigation or core content.

Performance and layout stability

Ads can hurt Core Web Vitals if they create layout shift. Practical habits:

• Reserve space for ads so the page does not jump
• Do not stack multiple ads in a single tight container
• Limit third-party scripts; ads should be the heaviest script on the page
• Test Lighthouse after adding placements

If you see large CLS or slow LCP, reduce the number of ads before doing anything else.

Consent, policies, and trust pages

For review readiness:

• Use a consent banner where required
• Keep About, Contact, Privacy Policy, and Terms easy to find
• Use clear labeling like "Advertisement" near ad units
• Never encourage clicks or suggest that clicking ads helps the site

A simple content site with clear navigation and transparent policies is more likely to pass review and keep approval long term.

Avoid invalid traffic traps

Make sure your site does not create accidental clicks:

• Do not place ads near menus, pagination, or download buttons
• Avoid popups that shift content under a tap
• Never place ads on error pages or empty pages

Small layout mistakes can lead to policy warnings.

Test and iterate carefully

Start small and measure:

• Add one placement, then check engagement and scroll depth
• Compare bounce rate before and after
• Test on mobile and slow connections

If engagement drops, scale back. Revenue that destroys the user experience does not last.

Placement by intent and content type

Different article types have different reader intent. Match placements to the pace of the page:

• How-to guides: Keep the first ad after the reader completes the first actionable step. They are in "do mode" and need clarity.
• Listicles: Place one ad after the first 3 to 5 items, then another after the midpoint. Avoid inserting ads between every item.
• Reviews and comparisons: Keep the disclosure, intro, and verdict visible before the first ad. If you use a comparison table, place the first ad after the table, not before it.
• News-style posts: Use fewer ads and place them after the main update. Readers want quick information, not interruptions.

If you can explain "why this ad is here" from the reader's perspective, the placement is usually safe.

Example layouts you can copy

Use these as starting points, then adjust based on engagement:

Long-form tutorial (1,500 to 2,500 words)

• Ad 1: After the intro and first section
• Ad 2: After a major section break (mid-article)
• Ad 3: Near the conclusion, before related posts

Short article (800 to 1,100 words)

• Ad 1: After the first 2 to 4 paragraphs
• Ad 2: Optional, near the end if the page has enough depth

Category archive page

• Ad 1: After the first block of posts (not above the list)
• Ad 2: Optional, after a pagination block or load-more section

Keep a consistent pattern across the site so readers learn where ads appear.

Metrics to watch (beyond RPM)

Ad revenue is only half the story. Track these to protect long-term growth:

• Scroll depth: If readers stop scrolling after the first ad, reduce density.
• Time on page: A drop after adding a placement is a warning sign.
• Return visitors: Aggressive ads reduce repeat visits.
• Core Web Vitals: Watch CLS and LCP after adding or moving units.
• Revenue per session: This is often a better signal than CTR alone.

Small improvements in retention usually beat short-term spikes in ad clicks.

Troubleshooting common AdSense issues

Problem: Review rejected for thin or low-value pages

• Reduce ads on archives, tags, and search results
• Add more internal links and short descriptions to archive pages

Problem: Policy warnings for misleading clicks

• Move ads away from menus, buttons, or pagination
• Add more spacing and a clear "Advertisement" label

Problem: High CLS

• Reserve fixed space for ad containers
• Avoid responsive units that resize on load without a placeholder

Problem: Mobile bounce rate spikes

• Remove the first ad on mobile
• Test a manual "load more" instead of infinite scroll ads

When in doubt, remove one ad and retest. Fewer, higher-quality placements usually win.

Original insight you can replicate

Example you can run on one post template:

1. Move a single ad placement lower in the page.
2. Monitor scroll depth and bounce rate for one week.
3. Compare RPM with the previous placement.

Decision rule: Keep the change only if engagement stays stable or improves.

FAQ

How many ads should I use on a typical article? Start with one or two placements and only add more if engagement remains stable. The number matters less than spacing and readability.

Are auto ads safe for new sites? Auto ads can be fine, but they often place ads too aggressively. Manual placements are safer during review and in the early growth stage.

Can I place an ad above the title? It is risky. Most readers will see the ad before they see your headline, which increases bounce rate and reduces trust.

Should I place ads inside tables or callout boxes? Avoid it. Keep ads separate from core content elements so they are not confused with navigation or calls to action.

A quick placement checklist

Before requesting review, confirm:

• The title and intro show without ads pushing them down
• You have 1 to 2 ads on typical articles, not 4 or 5
• Ads are labeled and visually separated from content
• The page does not jump while ads load
• Your policy pages are visible in the header or footer

When in doubt, choose the reader experience. It is better for long-term growth and helps avoid policy issues.