Introduction: The Wrong Idea About Quantity
When I started my blog, I heard the same thing over and over: "You need hundreds of blog posts before AdSense will even look at you." It was a common idea, almost like a rule you had to follow. People would say you needed a huge amount of traffic and a giant library of articles before you could ever hope to get a green light. They talked about AdSense approval as if it were a prize you only won after a lot of hard work.
But I knew that couldn't be the whole truth. I decided to try a different idea. I believed that getting approved was not about the number of articles but about the good, helpful writing on your website. I chose to focus my time on making a few truly great posts instead of many small, low-effort ones.
This is the story of how I got my new blog approved by AdSense with only 20 high-quality posts, and how you can, too. This guide is for anyone who has heard the wrong idea about needing a lot of posts and is ready to focus on what really matters: making a great, helpful website.
Part 1: The Change in How I Thought - Quality Over Quantity
The first step was changing how I thought about my blog. I stopped thinking about filling my website with as many posts as possible and started thinking about making each post as good as it could be. I decided that having 20 truly great articles was much better than having 100 poor or average ones.
The reason for this is simple: AdSense rules are all about making a good experience for people. Google wants to show ads on websites that are helpful, professional, and websites people can trust. They don't care if you have 1,000 posts if none of them are useful. A small number of good posts show Google you are serious about your work. They show you are building a real place to find information, not just trying to fill space.
I focused on the idea of becoming an expert in a small number of topics. Instead of trying to write about everything, I picked a very specific topic. By doing this, I could write with a lot of detail and confidence. This kind of writing that is focused and shows you know a lot is what turns your website into a website people can trust.
Google’s goal is to show ads on sites that people can rely on for good information. If you have a few really good, detailed articles, you prove that your site is a place worth trusting. This change in thinking—from focusing on how many posts you have to focusing on how good they are—was the most important part of my journey.
Part 2: The Website Foundation - What I Did First
Before I wrote a single post, I made sure my website was ready for AdSense. I knew that the first impression was everything. I saw this as the how I got my website ready for AdSense, a simple checklist of things I had to do to look professional.
First, I created the three most important pages. These pages are a must-have; you must have them.
A clear About Me page: This page told my story. I explained who I was, why I started the blog, and what my passions were. It was personal and helped people feel a connection to me. It wasn’t a long, boring resume. It was a simple story that built trust.
A simple Contact page: I made a very simple page where people could reach me with questions or comments. It included an official email address. This showed AdSense that I was a real person who was open to talking to my readers. It made the site feel more official.
A legal privacy page: This is one of the most critical pages. I used a free online tool to create a simple, easy-to-read privacy page that clearly explained what information my website collected (like cookies and other data) and how it was used. You can find many of these tools online, like this free privacy policy generator. I made sure it followed basic data protection rules. This page is a must for AdSense and shows you are responsible.
Next, I focused on the design. I picked a clean and fast design for my blog. I chose a theme that was simple, had no distracting features, and loaded in less than a second. I made sure all the text was easy to read and the menus were easy to use. Most importantly, I tested my website on my phone and tablet to make sure it looked good on every device. Having a website that works well on phones is a must today, as more people browse on their phones than on computers. A slow, ugly website is a bad sign for AdSense, so I made sure mine was fast and clean.
Part 3: The Content Plan - How I Wrote My 20 Posts
My goal was not to write 20 blog posts. My goal was to write 20 amazing, helpful articles. Every single one was a key part of my plan. Here’s a close look at how I did it.
Long, Detailed Articles: Every article I wrote was long and full of detail. My rule was that each post should be at least 1,500 words. My articles went deep into a topic. Instead of a short post on "how to clean your car," I wrote a 2,000-word guide on "The Ultimate 10-Step Guide to a Showroom Shine: A Beginner's Guide to Car Detailing." The goal was to fully answer every possible question a person might have on that topic. I researched all sides of the topic, shared my own experiences, and gave so much detail that the reader wouldn't need to go anywhere else to find an answer. This is how you create long, detailed articles that build trust and authority.
My Own Unique Writing: I made sure that every word was writing that is all my own. I never copied or just rephrased what someone else wrote. I used my own voice, my own stories, and my own way of seeing things. For example, in an article about a tool I used, I didn't just list its features. I talked about how I used it, what I liked about it, and what problems it solved for me. This personal touch is what made my unique content special. AdSense can easily spot copied or low-effort content, so I made sure every single post was original and showed my own hard work.
Giving an Answer to a Problem: Before I wrote a single word, I asked myself, "What problem is this article solving?" Each of my 20 posts was made to answer a specific, detailed question that people were searching for. I looked at what people were asking on forums, in blog comments, and on social media. I chose topics that had a real need for a detailed answer. For example, instead of writing "Tips for Baking," I wrote a post titled "How to Fix Common Baking Mistakes: My Top 5 Baking Troubleshooting Tips." This kind of content is valuable because it gives people what they are actually looking for. It is what makes a blog useful.
Making It Easy to Read: I knew that even the best article would fail if it was hard to read. I focused on making a great user experience—how easy it is for people to use my site. I used clear headings (H2, H3) to break my articles into easy-to-read sections. I used short paragraphs, never more than 3-4 sentences long. I also used bullet points and numbered lists to make complex steps easy to follow. I made sure to add relevant, helpful pictures to almost every post. Good formatting is a simple trick that makes a huge difference in how people feel about your content and how long they stay on your website.
Part 4: The Final Checklist - How I Applied
After I had written my 20 amazing articles, I knew I was ready. But I didn't apply right away. I followed a simple checklist to make sure everything was perfect. This was my final check before I sent my application for AdSense approval.
I read all of AdSense's rules one more time. I went to Google's official website and read through all their policies to make sure my content and website didn't break any of them. You can find them here: AdSense Program policies. This is the most important step.
I checked all the links on my site to make sure there were no broken links. I used a free tool to scan my entire website for any link that led to a "page not found" error. I fixed any broken links I found.
I made sure my important pages (About, Contact, Privacy) were easy to find and easy to read. I added links to them in my website's footer so they were always visible.
I double-checked my application form to make sure all my information was correct. I made sure my name, address, and website URL were spelled right. This is a simple thing, but a mistake here can cause a rejection.
After checking everything twice, I submitted my application. I continued to write and publish new articles while I waited. Just two weeks later, I got the email: "Congratulations, your site is now approved to show AdSense ads."
Conclusion: Trust, Not Traffic
The story of how I got AdSense approved with only 20 posts is a reminder of one main idea: getting approved by AdSense is not about traffic, followers, or the number of posts. It is not a race to a certain number. It is about building a website people can trust that is helpful for people and follows the rules.
By focusing on high-quality blog posts and a strong how the website was set up for AdSense, I was able to show Google that my site was a serious, helpful place. This approach not only got my application approved but also set up my blog for long-term success. The same is true for you. Focus on making great content, and the approval will come. Your goal isn't to get approved; your goal is to build a great website that deserves to be approved. And that is a goal you can reach, one great post at a time.