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

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.