Is Google AdSense Still Worth It in 2026 for Small Websites?

[harisonjacks]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to start a discussion about Google AdSense and whether it’s still a good monetization option for small and medium-sized websites in 2026.

Many website owners are now focusing on affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and direct ads because AdSense CPC and RPM rates seem to fluctuate a lot depending on traffic source and niche.

I currently run a food-related website and noticed that SEO traffic from Google still performs much better than social traffic for AdSense earnings. However, getting approved and maintaining good earnings has become more competitive compared to previous years.

Some things I’ve learned:

• High-quality original content matters more than ever
• Website speed and mobile optimization affect engagement
• Organic SEO traffic converts better for ad revenue
• Low-quality AI-generated content struggles to rank long term
• Niches like finance, tech, and insurance still have higher CPC

For anyone starting out, I think combining AdSense with affiliate offers works much better than relying only on display ads.

What strategies are working best for you with AdSense right now?
Are RPMs improving or declining in your niche?