Tips on how to improve LCP on your site after monetization

Improving Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) on your site after monetization is essential for ensuring a positive user experience. LCP measures how quickly the largest visible content element on your page loads and is fully rendered. A good LCP score is under 2.5 seconds. Here are several strategies to enhance LCP while managing your monetization efforts:

1. Optimize Images and Media

• Use Appropriate Formats: Use modern image formats like WebP or AVIF, which offer better compression without compromising quality.
• Compress Images: Optimize images to reduce file sizes. Use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to compress images without significant loss in quality.
• Specify Dimensions: Always specify the width and height attributes in your image tags or CSS. This helps the browser allocate space for images before they load.

html
<img src="example.webp" alt="Example" width="800" height="600">

2. Improve Server Response Times

• Optimize your server and hosting environment to ensure fast response times. This may involve choosing a better hosting plan or provider, optimizing your database, or using server-side caching.

3. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

• Implement a CDN to serve static assets (like images, CSS, and JavaScript) from locations closer to your users. This reduces latency and speeds up content delivery.

4. Minimize Render-Blocking Resources

• Defer Non-Critical JavaScript: Use the defer or async attributes for script tags to prevent them from blocking rendering of the main content.
• Inline Critical CSS: Inline critical CSS needed for rendering the above-the-fold content and load non-critical CSS asynchronously.

5. Optimize Fonts

• Load web fonts efficiently by using the font-display: swap; property in your CSS. This ensures text is visible while fonts are loading, preventing delays in rendering.

css
@font-face {
    font-family: 'MyFont';
    src: url('myfont.woff2') format('woff2');
    font-display: swap;
}

6. Eliminate Unnecessary Plugins and Scripts

• Review your site’s plugins and scripts, especially third-party ones like ads and tracking scripts. Remove any that are unnecessary, as they can slow down your site.

7. Lazy Load Off-Screen Content

• Implement lazy loading for images and iframes that are off-screen to reduce the initial load time for above-the-fold content.

html
<img src="example.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Example">

8. Optimize Your CSS

• Minimize and compress CSS files to reduce their size and improve loading times. Combine CSS files where possible to reduce the number of HTTP requests.

9. Reduce the Size of Your HTML

• Optimize your HTML structure to reduce its size. Remove unnecessary comments and whitespace, and ensure that only essential elements are loaded initially.

10. Monitor and Test Regularly

• Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, or WebPageTest to monitor your LCP score and identify areas for improvement. Make adjustments based on the insights gained from these tools.

How to improve FID on your site after monetization.

Improving First Input Delay (FID) on your site after monetization is crucial for maintaining a good user experience. FID measures the time it takes for a page to respond to a user’s first interaction (like clicking a link or button). Here are several strategies to enhance FID while ensuring your monetization efforts do not negatively impact performance:

1. Optimize JavaScript Execution

• Minimize JavaScript: Reduce the amount of JavaScript that needs to load before the page becomes interactive. Remove any unused code and minimize scripts where possible.
• Defer and Async Loading: Use defer or async attributes on your script tags to prevent blocking the main thread. This allows the browser to load JavaScript without delaying the page’s initial rendering.

html
<script src="your-script.js" defer></script>

2. Prioritize Critical Scripts

• Load essential scripts for initial interactions first. Non-essential scripts can be loaded later, after the main content has loaded.

3. Optimize Third-Party Scripts

• Be mindful of third-party scripts, especially ads and tracking scripts, as they can slow down FID. Use lightweight alternatives or load them asynchronously.
• Consider using a tag manager to control when and how third-party scripts are loaded.

4. Reduce Main Thread Work

• Limit the complexity of tasks running on the main thread during the page's initial load. Break up long tasks using techniques like requestIdleCallback to improve responsiveness.

5. Implement Lazy Loading

• Use lazy loading for images and iframes to defer loading of off-screen content. This reduces the initial load time and allows users to interact with the page sooner.

html
<img src="example.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Example">

6. Optimize Your Web Fonts

• Load fonts efficiently by using font-display: swap; in your CSS to ensure text remains visible during font loading. This prevents delays in rendering text and improves FID.

css
@font-face {
    font-family: 'MyFont';
    src: url('myfont.woff2') format('woff2');
    font-display: swap;
}

7. Improve Server Response Times

• Optimize your server response time to ensure that the HTML is delivered to the browser quickly. This includes optimizing your hosting environment and using caching strategies.

8. Reduce Resource Size

• Compress resources (images, CSS, and JavaScript) using tools like Gzip or Brotli. Smaller resource sizes reduce load times and improve responsiveness.

9. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

• Implement a CDN to serve your content from locations closer to your users, reducing latency and improving load times.

10. Monitor Performance Regularly

• Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, or WebPageTest to regularly monitor your site’s performance, focusing on FID. Adjust strategies based on the data you collect.

How to prevent Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) when adding Ads on your site.

To prevent ads from causing layout shifts on your site, it's important to implement best practices for ad placement and sizing. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Specify Size for Ad Containers

• Always define the width and height of your ad units in pixels or percentages. This ensures the browser reserves space for the ad before it loads.

html
<div class="ad-container" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;">
    <script>/* Ad code here */</script>
</div>

2. Use Responsive Ads Carefully

• If using responsive ad units, ensure the parent container has a defined aspect ratio. This helps maintain layout integrity during loading.

css
.responsive-ad {
    width: 100%; /* Full width */
    height: auto; /* Maintain aspect ratio */
    padding-bottom: 75%; /* Example aspect ratio for 300x250 */
    position: relative; /* Position relative for absolute child */
}

3. Implement a Placeholder for Ads

• Create a placeholder or a "dummy" ad container with fixed dimensions. This helps prevent layout shifts while the ad loads.

html
<div class="ad-placeholder" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;">
    <!-- Placeholder content -->
</div>

4. Reserve Space for Ads in CSS

• Use CSS to ensure there’s a reserved space for the ad. This can be particularly useful for dynamic ads where the size might vary.

css
.ad-space {
    width: 300px; /* Fixed width */
    height: 250px; /* Fixed height */
    overflow: hidden; /* Hide overflow */
}

5. Load Ads Asynchronously

• Load ads asynchronously to prevent them from blocking the rendering of other content. This can improve the overall loading experience.

html
<script async src="https://your-ad-script.js"></script>

6. Use Lazy Loading for Ads

• Consider lazy loading ads that are off-screen. This can help manage loading times and prevent layout shifts for ads that aren’t immediately visible to the user.

html
<div class="lazy-ad" data-src="your-ad-code">
    <!-- Lazy loading logic -->
</div>

7. Minimize the Use of Pop-Up Ads

• Avoid using pop-up ads that cover the main content and cause shifts when they appear. Instead, consider using static banners that fit within the layout.

8. Test Your Ads Setup

• After implementing your ads, use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to check your CLS score and see if the ads are causing any layout shifts.

9. Regularly Update Ad Sizes

• Stay updated with the latest ad sizes recommended by ad networks and make sure your site accommodates these dimensions properly.

Conclusion

How Core Web Vitals Affect Site Monetization?

To enhance your website's monetization potential, it's essential to monitor and optimize your Core Web Vitals. By ensuring your site loads quickly, responds to user interactions promptly, and maintains visual stability, you can improve user experience, increase traffic, and ultimately boost your revenue from ads.

1. Impact on SEO Rankings:

   • Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor in its search algorithm. Websites that provide a better user experience through improved Core Web Vitals are more likely to rank higher in search results. Higher visibility can lead to increased traffic and potentially higher ad revenue.

2. User Experience:

   • Poor Core Web Vitals can lead to a frustrating user experience, causing visitors to leave the site quickly (higher bounce rates). This can negatively impact ad impressions and engagement, which in turn can lower monetization potential.

3. Ad Revenue:

   • Ad networks, including Google AdSense, may prioritize or recommend websites with good performance metrics. Sites with poor Core Web Vitals may face lower CPM (cost per thousand impressions) rates due to decreased user engagement and higher bounce rates.

4. Compliance with Standards:

   • Many advertising partners and networks now consider Core Web Vitals when approving websites for monetization. Websites that do not meet the minimum performance thresholds may struggle to get approved or may face restrictions in their ad serving capabilities.

5. Competitive Advantage:

   • Sites that prioritize and optimize for Core Web Vitals may gain a competitive advantage over others in the same niche. A better user experience can lead to increased user loyalty, return visits, and improved conversion rates.

What is Google Core Web Vitals ?

Google Core Web Vitals are a set of specific factors that Google considers important for delivering a good user experience on the web. These metrics focus on three key aspects of page performance:

Basic Core Web Vitals Metrics:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP):

   • Definition: Measures loading performance. It marks the point in the page load timeline when the largest text block or image is rendered on the screen.
   • Goal: An LCP of 2.5 seconds or faster is considered good.

2. First Input Delay (FID):

   • Definition: Measures interactivity. It quantifies the time it takes for a user to interact with a page (e.g., clicking a link or button) until the browser responds.
   • Goal: An FID of 100 milliseconds or less is considered good.

3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):

   • Definition: Measures visual stability. It assesses how much the page layout shifts during the loading process, which can lead to poor user experience.
   • Goal: A CLS score of 0.1 or less is considered good.

Checking Site's Core Web Vitals

Checking a website's Core Web Vitals is essential for assessing its performance and user experience. Core Web Vitals focus on three main aspects: loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability.

Here are several methods to check your site's Core Web Vitals:

1. Google PageSpeed Insights

• Access the Tool: Go to PageSpeed Insights.
• Enter URL: Type in the URL of the website you want to analyze.
• Run Analysis: Click the “Analyze” button.
• Review Results: The tool will provide a score for mobile and desktop performance, along with specific metrics for:
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance.
  • First Input Delay (FID): Measures interactivity.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures visual stability.

2. Google Search Console

• Access Google Search Console: Log into your Google Search Console account.
• Select Your Property: Choose the website you want to analyze.
• Navigate to Core Web Vitals: In the left sidebar, click on "Core Web Vitals" under the "Experience" section.
• Review Report: You’ll see a report that shows how your site performs based on real user data, categorizing pages as “Good,” “Needs Improvement,” or “Poor.”

3. Lighthouse

• Open Chrome DevTools: Right-click on your website and select Inspect or press Ctrl + Shift + I (Windows) or Command + Option + I (Mac).
• Navigate to Lighthouse: Click on the Lighthouse tab in the DevTools panel.
• Generate Report: Select the options for mobile or desktop and click the “Generate Report” button.
• Analyze Results: The report will include Core Web Vitals metrics along with recommendations for improvement.

4. Web Vitals Chrome Extension

• Install the Extension: Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for Web Vitals. Install the extension.
• Run the Extension: After installation, click the extension icon while visiting your website.
• View Metrics: The extension will display real-time metrics for LCP, FID, and CLS directly in your browser.

5. GTmetrix

• Access GTmetrix: Go to GTmetrix.
• Enter URL: Type in the website URL you want to check.
• Run the Analysis: Click the “Test your site” button.
• Review Results: The report will provide a performance score along with recommendations, including Core Web Vitals metrics.

6. WebPageTest

• Access WebPageTest: Go to WebPageTest.
• Enter URL: Input the URL of your website.
• Select Test Options: Choose a location and browser, then click “Start Test.”
• Analyze Results: Once the test completes, you’ll see detailed metrics, including Core Web Vitals.

Final Steps

After analyzing your Core Web Vitals, review the provided recommendations for improvement. Focus on optimizing loading times, enhancing interactivity, and ensuring a stable layout to enhance user experience and improve search rankings.

How to upload ads.txt file on your WordPress site.

Adding an ads.txt file is typically required to get approval to monetize your website with ad networks.

Here’s how you can upload an ads.txt file to your WordPress site:

Method 1: Using an FTP Client

1. Create Your ads.txt File:

   • Open a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit).
   • Add the required lines to the file, specifying your ad network information.
   • Save the file as ads.txt.

2. Connect to Your Website via FTP:

   • Use an FTP client (like FileZilla or Cyberduck) to connect to your web server.
   • Enter your FTP credentials (hostname, username, password, and port).

3. Navigate to the Root Directory:

   • Once connected, navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation, usually called public_html or the folder named after your domain.

4. Upload the ads.txt File:

   • Drag and drop the ads.txt file from your computer into the root directory.

5. Verify the Upload:

   • Open your browser and enter http://yourdomain.com/ads.txt to check if the file is accessible.

Method 2: Using a File Manager in cPanel

1. Create Your ads.txt File:

   • Follow the same steps as above to create and save the ads.txt file.

2. Log into Your cPanel:

   • Access your hosting account and log into cPanel.

3. Open File Manager:

   • Find and click on the File Manager icon.

4. Navigate to the Root Directory:

   • Locate the root directory of your WordPress site (usually public_html).

5. Upload the ads.txt File:

   • Click on the Upload button in the File Manager.
   • Select your ads.txt file and upload it.

6. Verify the Upload:

   • As before, check by navigating to http://yourdomain.com/ads.txt in your browser.

Method 3: Using a Plugin

If you prefer a more user-friendly method, you can use a plugin:

1. Install a Plugin:

   • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for a plugin like Ads.txt Manager or Insert Headers and Footers.

2. Activate the Plugin:

   • Once installed, activate the plugin.

3. Configure the Plugin:

   • Follow the plugin instructions to upload or enter the content for your ads.txt file.

4. Save and Verify:

   • Save the changes and verify the upload by checking http://yourdomain.com/ads.txt.

Final Steps

Regardless of the method you choose, always remember to verify that the ads.txt file is accessible. This is essential for ad networks to recognize and validate your site.

Getting your site monetized by Google AdSense

Here’s a general guide to help you through the process:

1. Create Quality Content: Ensure your website has original, high-quality content that is useful and relevant to your audience. Aim for at least 20-30 posts or pages before applying.

2. Comply with AdSense Policies: Familiarize yourself with Google AdSense policies and guidelines. Key areas include:

   • No adult content, violence, or illegal activities.
   • No misleading information or clickbait.
   • Ensure your content is family-friendly.

3. Design a User-Friendly Website: Make sure your website has a clean and professional design. It should be easy to navigate, with clear menus and categories. Responsive design for mobile users is crucial.

4. Add Essential Pages: Include important pages such as:

   • About Us
   • Contact Us
   • Privacy Policy
   • Terms and Conditions

5. Ensure Your Site is Fully Functional: Check for broken links, slow loading times, and ensure that all features work properly.

6. Set Up a Custom Domain: If possible, use a custom domain (e.g., www.yoursite.com) instead of a free subdomain.

7. Check Traffic Sources: Ensure that your traffic comes from legitimate sources. Avoid using paid traffic services that violate AdSense policies.

8. Apply for AdSense: Once your site is ready, go to the AdSense website and sign up. Fill out the application form and submit your site for review.

9. Wait for Approval: Google will review your application, which can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. You’ll receive an email with the result of your application.

10. Implement Ad Codes: If approved, you’ll receive ad code snippets to place on your website. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to implement ads correctly.

11. Monitor Performance: Once ads are live, monitor your performance and compliance with AdSense policies regularly to avoid issues.

If your application is rejected, review the feedback provided, make the necessary changes, and consider reapplying after some time.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to start a Blogger site and get it monetized with Google AdSense:

Part 1: Setting Up a Blogger Site

1. Create a Google Account
   If you don’t already have one, sign up for a Google account. This will give you access to Blogger and AdSense.

2. Go to Blogger

   • Visit Blogger.
   • Log in with your Google account.

3. Create a New Blog

   • Click on the "Create New Blog" button.
   • Choose a title for your blog.
   • Select a domain name (URL) that reflects your content. For example, yourblogname.blogspot.com.
   • Choose a template/design for your blog. You can customize this later.

4. Customize Your Blog

   • Go to the "Theme" section and customize the look of your blog.
   • Adjust the layout by going to the "Layout" section, where you can add widgets like a search bar, about section, and social links.
   • Add essential pages: About, Contact, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimer. You can create these under the "Pages" section.

5. Start Writing Content

   • Click on "Posts" and start creating blog posts by clicking "New Post".
   • Focus on creating high-quality, original content in a niche that you are passionate about.
   • Make sure your posts are informative, engaging, and valuable for your readers.
   • Use images and labels (tags) to organize your content better.

Part 2: Preparing for AdSense Approval

1. Meet AdSense Eligibility Requirements

   • Your blog must have enough high-quality content. Ideally, aim for at least 10-15 well-written blog posts.
   • Your blog should be at least 1-2 months old, but sometimes it may take longer.
   • Ensure that your blog adheres to Google AdSense’s program policies.
   • Create essential pages like a Privacy Policy and Disclaimer, as these are required by Google AdSense.

2. Set Up a Custom Domain (Optional)

   • While not mandatory, setting up a custom domain (e.g., yourblog.com) adds professionalism and trust to your blog.
   • You can purchase a custom domain through platforms like Google Domains, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.
   • Connect the custom domain to your Blogger blog by going to "Settings" > "Custom domain" and following the instructions.

3. Increase Traffic

   • Share your content on social media and engage in relevant online communities to increase your readership.
   • Focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) by using relevant keywords, writing descriptive meta tags, and creating high-quality backlinks.

4. Ensure a User-Friendly Design

   • Make sure your blog is mobile-friendly.
   • Your site should load quickly and have easy navigation for readers.

Part 3: Applying for AdSense

1. Go to the Earnings Tab in Blogger

   • Log into Blogger.
   • Click on the "Earnings" tab in the left sidebar.
   • Click “Sign up for AdSense”. You will be redirected to the AdSense website.

2. Apply for an AdSense Account

   • Fill out the required information such as your blog URL, name, and address.
   • Google will review your site, and the approval process may take a few days to a few weeks.

3. Wait for Approval

   • Google will notify you via email once your site is approved. During this time, continue posting content and ensuring that your site follows AdSense policies.

Part 4: Setting Up Ads on Your Blog

1. Enable Ads on Blogger
   Once approved, go back to your Blogger account:

   • Click the "Earnings" tab and turn on AdSense.
   • You can choose to enable ads to show automatically on your blog or place them manually in specific locations (sidebar, header, etc.).

2. Monitor and Optimize Ad Performance

   • Log into your AdSense account to monitor your earnings and performance.
   • Experiment with different ad placements to see what works best (without overcrowding your blog).
   • Focus on improving user experience to increase ad clicks, like reducing page load time and making your blog visually appealing.

3. Adherence to AdSense Guidelines

   • Continue to follow AdSense's policies to avoid getting your account suspended.
   • Do not click on your own ads or encourage others to do so.

Part 5: Maximizing Ad Revenue

1. Write Content Consistently

   • Create content consistently to grow your traffic, as more visitors mean more chances for ad clicks.

2. Diversify Monetization

   • Besides AdSense, consider additional monetization options like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or selling your own products.

3. Engage Your Audience

   • Respond to comments, share your posts on social media, and create an email list to keep readers engaged.

By following these steps, you'll not only have a fully functional Blogger site but also one that is primed for monetization with Google AdSense.

What is Programmatic advertising?

Programmatic advertising is the automated process of buying and selling digital ad space in real-time, using software, algorithms, and data to target specific audiences more effectively. Instead of manually negotiating with publishers to place ads on websites, programmatic systems use real-time bidding (RTB) and other automated processes to purchase ad inventory across various digital channels (websites, apps, social media, etc.).

Key Components:

1. Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs): Allow advertisers to buy digital ad space automatically, targeting specific audiences based on various factors (demographics, interests, behaviour
   ).

2. Supply-Side Platforms (SSPs): Help publishers manage, sell, and optimize their available ad space through an automated auction process.

3. Real-Time Bidding (RTB): Ads are bought and sold in real-time, typically in milliseconds, based on the value of the impressions and targeting parameters set by the advertiser.

4. Ad Exchanges: Digital marketplaces where buyers (advertisers) and sellers (publishers) meet to trade ad inventory programmatically.

5. Data Management Platforms (DMPs): Collect and analyze audience data to help advertisers refine their targeting strategies for more personalized ad delivery.

Benefits of Programmatic Advertising:

• Efficiency and Speed: Automates the ad-buying process, making it faster and more efficient.
  
  
• Precise Targeting: Uses data and algorithms to deliver ads to specific audiences, reducing waste and increasing relevance.
  
  
• Scalability: Advertisers can reach large audiences across multiple platforms and devices.
  
  
• Real-Time Optimization: Advertisers can adjust campaigns on the fly based on performance data.