How to Add Adsense and Analytics to WordPress

Posted on 13. Sep, 2009 by Isaac Yassar in WordPress

wordpressPutting advertisements (e.g. Google Adsense) and traffic analysis tool (e.g. Google Analytics) is important concern for starting bloggers, isn’t?

Earlier today a friend of mine asked me about how to put Adsense and Analytics to WordPress, because he is about to start his first WP site. I also had the same concerns when I was to start this WordPress blog.

Here are some ways to add Adsense and Analytics to WP:

1. Using Widget

The first way is the basic one, using a sidebar widget. I learned this when I was still on blogspot, but applicable on WordPress and it works. All we need to do is adding a sidebar widget (text widget) and paste our Adsense code there. The ads will show up on the location of the widget.

We can also put our Google Analytics script in the text widget. However, unlike Google Adsense, it won’t show anything though the code is there. We can also put it on the same widget with our Adsense code because it won’t show anything. It will work well if all our pages / posts have sidebar.

I think this method is best for starting bloggers for it’s simplicity.

2. Using Plugins

The second way is to use plugins, which WordPress is famous of. There are many plugins to help working with Adsense or Analytics. Each offers different features, mostly advanced ones.

All we need to do is visiting WordPress Plugins Directory and search for it. More downloads and rating usually shows a better plugin. I don’t recommend this unless you feel you need it, because more plugins may slow down a site.

3. Using Themes

The third way is to use our theme’s features. However, different themes may offer different features. Some support Analytics, some support advertising spots, and some support both. For example, my frugal theme has a feature where I can easily put my Analytics code, though it doesn’t directly support ads spots.

Those are some possibilities to work with Adsense and Analytics on WordPress. If you have another method, feel free to share it on comments.

Tags: adsense, analytics, WordPress

18 Responses to “How to Add Adsense and Analytics to WordPress”

  1. LetUpdate

    13. Sep, 2009

    I am using themes (3) to add google analitycs.

    Reply to this comment

  2. Tech-Freak Stuff

    13. Sep, 2009

    I use the Theme section to Add the Javascript Codes. I avoid using plugins for everything because they slow down the loading of the blog.

    Reply to this comment

  3. Nicola

    13. Sep, 2009

    Hi Isaac,

    I use “Google Analytics and Feedburner Reports plugin for WordPress” to add google analitycs. I hope you found this plugin helpful.

    Here the link:

    http://tantannoodles.com/toolkit/wordpress-reports/

    Nicola

    Reply to this comment

  4. David | ilcantone.com

    14. Sep, 2009

    Yes Tech-Freak Stuff you are right. I think I have this problem with my site, too slow. I will not add more plugins.

    I don´t know but do you really think Google Adsense works? I mean, for small sites with “low” traffic ads can be unproductive, even counterproductive. I´m not sure because I´ve never tried to put google ads in my site.

    It would be really interesting to know other bloggers experiences with google ads.

    David

    Reply to this comment

  5. Jared P Little

    14. Sep, 2009

    You got to love wordpress it is like the IPhone their an app for that. With word press their is always an plug-in for that. :-)

    Reply to this comment

  6. Isaac Yassar

    14. Sep, 2009

    Thanks Dana, Rohit, Nick, David, and Jared for commenting. Your points are interesting. For me, if my frugal theme doesn’t support Google Analytics, I’ll put my script on a sidebar text widget. I already use 13 plugins now and I try to keep it minimal.

    Reply to this comment

  7. earningstep

    14. Sep, 2009

    nice review… google analytic is one of the best stats tool that i ever used…

    Reply to this comment

  8. KPerrone

    16. Sep, 2009

    Interesting article. I will have to look in to it. I’ve never dealt with it before.

    Reply to this comment

  9. Isaac Yassar

    16. Sep, 2009

    Thanks Cienik and Kevin. Google Analytics offers great features while cost nothing aka free. That’s awesome.

    Reply to this comment

  10. Jim Hardin

    19. Sep, 2009

    I love Google Analytics too. It is a great way watch traffic on the site and like you said Isaac you cannot get any better than FREE!. What amazes me is how me (and anyone) can get visitors from around the world. I just find that amazing how I can sit in my house type a post and it can reach someone all the way across the world.

    I have tried google adsense on another site. I installed it using a plug in and the theme I had for the site had adsense built into the code. Hope I said that right. All you had to do is put your adsense publisher number. Pretty easy.

    Reply to this comment

    • Isaac Yassar

      19. Sep, 2009

      Hi Jim. Yes, Analytics is truly fun to use. We can use it to watch our blog grow. And blogging is indeed magical. Why else we’d still be here? ;-)

      Reply to this comment

  11. HK

    28. Oct, 2009

    Hi Isaac, first off- let me say I love your site and appreciate all the time you spend to put helpful information up on it.

    I recently switched from WP to Blogspot, almost for the sole reason that I was told that having Adsense or any kind of moneymaking/affiliate program on your WP site was against the WP Terms of Service.

    I would really still like to use WP, but if I can’t have my two affiliate links and Adsense then there’s nothing really monetarily beneficial to my blogging.
    Is this true? Or does it vary to those who either have a .wordpress.com site or their own domain?

    Thanks for your time,
    -HK

    Reply to this comment

    • Isaac Yassar

      28. Oct, 2009

      It’s true for wordpress.com if I’m not mistaken. For own domain isn’t. You can use Adsense on your own domain, even if you use the platform from wordpress.org .

      Reply to this comment

      • HK

        29. Oct, 2009

        Oh ok, so if I’m using a .wordpress.com I can’t have adsense, but I can buy a domain through their upgrades right? Then should it be fine after that? Or do I have to have a domain and host the site on another server?

        Thanks,
        -HK

        Reply to this comment

  12. Steve Lign

    21. Dec, 2009

    I needed this, thank you for sharing this information.

    Reply to this comment

  13. David Lindsay

    16. Jan, 2010

    A little late I know, but I am working my way back through your posts. Could you please summarise the main differences between Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org in relation to monetization?

    Reply to this comment

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