A friend of mine asked me a good question the other day.  He asked me, “Why aren’t you ‘monetizing’ your blog?”

I replied, “Because I don’t have anything to sell right now.”

“But you could at least put Google Adsense on your blog,” he said.

That’s advice I hear a lot from bloggers. It makes sense because many bloggers (if not all) want to make money from their blog.   And one of the easiest ways is to put Google AdSense on your blog.

But even though my friend’s advice was well-meaning, I have absolutely NO intention of putting Google AdSense on this blog.

You Have no Control Over Which Google Ads Appear

The problem is that Google AdSense works through keywords.  And on this blog, I frequently critique some methods and products related to the personal development field.  For example, I have written posts related to:

• The Secret
• James Arthur Ray
• Tony Robbins
• Who Moved my Cheese

Each time I wrote about these subjects, it was to warn my readers against them.  Imagine in my review of Tony Robbins’ Awaken the Giant Within appears a Google ad asking you to grab a copy of the book—the book that I just finished telling you not to buy?

But if I did have Google AdSense on my blog, it’s quite possible that whatever ad related to the keywords “Tony Robbins” would appear. And trust me if you type in the words “Tony Robbing Awaken the Giant Within” I am sure that you won’t find an ad for Don’t Step in the Poop on the right-hand side.

If I don’t like a book or product, I’ll be damned if I’m going to give you a link on where to buy it.  So, why would I let Google give you a link to the things I don’t agree with?   Some might argue that it is only indirectly promoting.  But promoting is promoting.  And I don’t see any ethical difference.

But to be fair to Google, they do let you block specifics ad that you don’t want to appear like a competitors’ ad.  But my feeling is that you should want to block ALL the ads unless you’ve actually gone out and  checked out every item sold through the ads.  It’s not worth the time or effort.

And to top it off, how much does Google give you per click?  Like a penny?  Would you sell your integrity for a penny?  I know I wouldn’t.

I Do Not Promote Products That I Don’t Believe In

It may sound kooky in this day and age, but I care about those of you who read this blog.  I started this blog to offer you practical advice—to give you the mental tools to cut through the BS that’s you’re being today.

So, I have very high standards when it comes to personal development books and products. And when I do recommend something, it’s because I think is really helpful and not just a bunch of BS wrapped in a pretty package.

Yes, I do know I can make money with Google AdSense on this site.  But there are lots of ways to make money without compromising your values.

That’s why I think if you have a blog like mine, then you shouldn’t put Google AdSense on your blog either.   Control what you promote and only promote what you believe in.  Don’t let Google decide for you.