Google AdWords vs. Adsense

Google Ads (AdWords) vs. AdSense – What’s the Real Difference? 

Here’s a question we hear all the time: 
What’s the difference between Google Ads (formerly AdWords) and Google AdSense? 

While both are part of Google’s advertising ecosystem, they serve two completely different roles. 

What Is Google Ads (AdWords)? 

Google Ads is the platform for advertisers—businesses that want to get traffic to their site and sell something. 

There are two primary networks inside Google Ads: 

1. Search Network 

This is the one you know from Google.com. 

• Example: You type “buy shoes” into Google 
• You see ads at the top from shoe companies 
• Those companies are advertisers using Google Ads to appear on the search results page 

It’s an intent-based advertising platform, meaning ads appear when someone is actively searching for something. 

2. Display Network 

This allows advertisers to show ads on other websites, not just search results. 

• Example: You’re reading a blog post about sneakers 
• You see a banner ad for a shoe sale 
• That banner was placed by an advertiser via Google Ads’ Display Network 

Advertisers say: 

“Hey Google, show my ad on sites related to what I sell.” 

This includes image banners, sidebar text ads, and more. 

What Is Google AdSense? 

AdSense is the other side of the coin. 

Where Google Ads is for advertisers, AdSense is for publishers—websites that allow Google to place ads on their site. 

So using the same shoe blog example: 

• The blog owner signs up for Google AdSense 
• They allow Google to show ads on their website 
• When someone visits and sees or clicks those ads, the blog owner earns money 

That’s AdSense: website owners monetizing their content by displaying ads from Google Ads advertisers. 

Summary: AdWords vs. AdSense 

Platform	Used By	Purpose
Google Ads	Advertisers	To drive traffic and sales
Google AdSense	Publishers (site owners)	To earn money by hosting ads

Think of it as one unified system: 

• Advertisers pay Google via Ads 
• Publishers earn money via AdSense 
• Google connects both sides 

Final Thoughts 

If you want to drive traffic and get customers, use Google Ads. 

If you have a site with traffic and want to monetize it, use Google AdSense. 

Understanding this distinction helps you get the most out of Google’s advertising ecosystem—whether you’re spending or earning.