This episode covered some hard-earned lessons about Google AdSense, goal tracking, analytics tools, and the power of micro-outsourcing. I also revealed the URL of my corn sheller niche site experiment and shared some useful marketing insights from smartphone tracking data during the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n
Here is something nobody tells you about building an internet business: bad things happen to good marketers. My Google AdSense account was suspended for “fraudulent activity,” and Google kept all funds owed to me. My Adwords account had already been banned earlier over an old weight loss offer I promoted back in 2007 when I was first learning the ropes.<\/p>\n
The AdSense suspension was particularly frustrating because I had several sites generating daily revenue. Google would not tell me which site triggered the issue, where the problematic clicks came from, or provide any specific evidence. Their appeals process resulted in a form letter saying no further appeal was possible.<\/p>\n
Three lessons from this experience:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you lose access to AdSense or want to diversify, several quality alternatives exist:<\/p>\n At the end of each month, review your progress against your goals for the year. Be honest about what is working and what is not. I gave myself a B-minus for the first two months of 2012, which was fair. The podcast was on track, but blog content and product development were behind schedule.<\/p>\n Create a monthly scorecard<\/strong> with measurable metrics: number of posts published, revenue generated, email subscribers added, traffic growth. What gets measured gets managed. Review it regularly and adjust your plan when reality does not match your targets.<\/p>\n If you are nervous about outsourcing, start small. Fiverr<\/a> lets you outsource tiny projects for just a few dollars. Need a simple graphic? Order from three or four sellers and pick the best result. Need a voiceover, a logo concept, or a social media graphic? Fiverr is perfect for experimenting with outsourcing without significant financial risk.<\/p>\n Once you are comfortable working with freelancers on small projects, you can scale up to larger outsourcing on Upwork<\/a> or with dedicated virtual assistants.<\/p>\n Understanding your audience's behavior patterns is critical for effective marketing. I shared an example from Flurry's smartphone tracking during the Super Bowl, which showed exactly when viewers were engaged with the broadcast versus distracted by their phones.<\/p>\n The lesson for internet marketers: use analytics to understand when and how your audience interacts with your content.<\/strong> In 2026, Google Analytics 4<\/a> provides detailed engagement data including session duration, scroll depth, and event tracking. Use this data to optimize your publishing schedule, content format, and marketing timing.<\/p>\n AdSense has become less dominant.<\/strong> Premium ad networks like Mediavine and Raptive offer dramatically higher revenue for qualifying sites. Most serious content publishers have moved beyond AdSense.<\/p>\n Revenue diversification is now standard practice.<\/strong> The smartest publishers in 2026 combine display advertising, affiliate marketing, digital products, email marketing, and sometimes sponsored content. No single revenue source accounts for more than 40-50% of income.<\/p>\n Analytics tools are more powerful and accessible.<\/strong> Google Analytics 4, despite its learning curve, provides far more actionable data than the tools available in 2012.<\/p>\n For more practical internet marketing advice, listen to the Late Night Internet Marketing Podcast<\/a> on Apple Podcasts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
AdSense Alternatives in 2026<\/h2>\n
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Tracking Your Goals and Progress<\/h2>\n
Micro-Outsourcing with Fiverr<\/h2>\n
Analytics and Understanding Your Audience<\/h2>\n
What Has Changed Since This Episode<\/h2>\n
Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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