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Ad Channels

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AdSense Setup: Choose Ad Channels

This is a continuation of AdSense for Content article on how to set up your Google AdSense. By now you would have:
logged in to your AdSense account > AdSense Setup[tab] > AdSense for Content > single page (link)

and you have chosen Ad Type = Ad Unit [text and image ads (default)]
You have also chosen the color palette(s), fonts, corner styles, and other options.
Linking channel(s) to an AdSense unit is optional. But it would be advisable to do so. Channels are used to track the performance of the ad ("shells") you place on your site. You need to create these channels - called custom channels. You can have up to 5 custom channels to track any one ad. And you can make any custom channel available to advertisers (You can read more on this later: Ad Placement).
But first, it would be worth your while to get an overview of Ad Channels. (This will open in a new window so you don't lose this page.)

AdSense for Content and Channels

Google AdSense AdWordsTo continue with this tutorial where we have chosen AdSense for Content so far, the following image shows the channel types that are available when using AdSense for Content.

AdSense for Content and Channels

As you can see, even though Google allows you to create a great number of channels, you can assign between 1 to 5 channels to each specific ad (whether they are Ad Units or Link Units).

Ad Unit vs Link Unit

A reminder of the different Ad Types: Ad Units vs Link Units

Choose Ad Channels

As noted in Channels Overview, it might be better to create your channels before you do this AdSense setup. However that is not essential. And you can always create a(nother) channel later and assign it to this (current) ad "shell" or even reassign the ad "shell" to other channel(s).

For purposes of this tutorial, I will assume you either already have some channels you can use or you will be doing a quick new channel from the AdSense for Content setup page that you are already on.
Choose Ad Channels

Either choose a channel and click corresponding 'add' link or click the 'Add new Channel' link to create a new channel which will then be assigned to the Adsense "shell" you are creating.

Google recommends precise and consistent naming for your custom channels. Their recommendation is to follow the pattern:
Page+Location+AdFormat+ColorPalette

However you don't have to follow this. You only have to keep in mind that channels are either

  • for reporting purposes - so you want to name your custom channel so that it fits your tracking performance purpose and you can identify it as such or
  • for target ad placement by advertisers - so that advertisers (who can see the names of these elected channels) can decide if they want to target their ads to your ad "shells".

You can refresh your memory regarding Custom Channels, including recommended naming patterns (link will open in new page so you don't lose your place on this page).

Name, Save, Get Code

get AdSense code

The next step is to name your AdSense "shell" unit, and then click the "Submit and Get Code" button. This will be the code that you will paste into the appropriate position on your page(s).

About Naming your AdSense units

The names of your AdSense units are meant to help you recognize them later and so that you can organize them. (The name will also appear in your code but you can delete that if you like).

Google recommends the following pattern for naming your AdSense units:
mysite_section_location_AFT_size
(AFT stands for "above the fold")
For example:
sports_football_ATF_250X250

Don't worry. AdSense unit names can be changed.
  • Give your AdSense unit an appropriate, identifiable name.
  • Click the submit button to get your code.
  • You can now paste it anywhere on the pages you want Google driven ads to appear.

    • Done! That's it. You have created your first AdSense ad "shell", and once placed, will start earning you some revenue with every click.

    References

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