AdSense Alternate Ads: From PSA Backup Ads to Unfilled Slots Today

AdSense alternate ads were a way to earn from ad slots that would otherwise show unpaid public service ads (PSAs). This article explains how bloggers used alternate ads with AdSense and Chitika in 2006, what happened to those services, and what you can do with unfilled ad slots today.

Quick answer: In 2006 you could give AdSense an alternate ad URL, so your own affiliate ads showed whenever Google had no paying ad. AdSense no longer shows PSAs, and an unfilled slot now stays empty. Today you can hide unfilled slots with CSS, or use a WordPress ad plugin that shows a fallback ad when an AdSense slot stays empty.

What AdSense alternate ads were

Back then, Google AdSense units often showed public service ads for charities when there were no relevant ads for a page. They earned the publisher nothing. Chitika eMiniMalls showed ad units all the time, but paid per click only in selected countries. So why not show paying ads instead?

AdSense let you enter an alternate ad URL to show instead of public service ads, and Chitika had a similar option for alternate Chitika ads. You could fill these alternate ads with any affiliate program and earn commission from the clicks. You just needed a simple web page holding only the ad unit, the same size as the ad unit it replaced.

Alternate ad services of 2006

Several services specialised in replacing AdSense PSAs:

• Alternate Url offered a 50/50 revenue share, global coverage, monthly payments, referral income, family-safe ads, PayPal payouts and detailed stats.
• AlterNut Ad paid a flat monthly rate for showing its ad instead of the PSA, but you needed an invitation to join.
• Default Ads let you load your own affiliate ads and generate a link for the AdSense alternate ad URL. It showed its own ads on 1 in every 100 impressions as payment.

Of course you could also collapse AdSense ad units to hide non-paying ads, but you needed your own web hosting for that. Or you could show Red Cross donation ads for a good cause.

What happened to PSAs and Chitika

These options are history now:

• PSAs are gone. AdSense stopped showing public service ads years ago. When no ad is available, the slot is left unfilled. Our guide to public service ads and blank ads in AdSense covers the causes and fixes.
• Chitika shut down. In April 2019 Chitika emailed publishers that it was closing with immediate effect and asked them to remove its ad code.
• The 2006 alternate ad services were built around PSAs, so with PSAs gone they no longer serve their original purpose.

AdSense alternate ads today: handle unfilled slots

You can’t earn from a PSA anymore, but you can still stop empty slots from wasting space or showing a blank box.

Hide unfilled ad slots with CSS

AdSense marks each ad unit as filled or unfilled after the ad request. Unfilled units get the attribute data-ad-status="unfilled", so one CSS rule hides them:

ins.adsbygoogle[data-ad-status="unfilled"] { display: none !important; }

Show a fallback ad on WordPress

If you want something in the space, a WordPress ad manager such as Advanced Ads can check whether an AdSense slot was filled and show a fallback ad you choose, such as an affiliate banner or a link to your own popular post. Note that this works with manual ad units, not with Auto ads.

Reduce unfilled slots in the first place

• Use fewer, better-placed ad units rather than many slots.
• Use responsive units or Auto ads so Google can pick formats that fill.
• Check the Policy center and your blocking controls in your AdSense account.
• Write substantial, focused pages that advertisers want to appear on.

Want income beyond AdSense? See our older roundup of alternative ad programs beyond AdSense.

FAQ

Does AdSense still have an alternate ads setting?

The old alternate ad URL was built for PSAs. Since AdSense no longer shows PSAs and leaves unfilled slots empty, the practical options today are hiding unfilled slots or using a fallback ad from your ad plugin.

Does AdSense still show public service ads?

No. When no ad is available, the ad unit stays unfilled instead of showing a charity ad.

Is Chitika still running?

No. Chitika closed in April 2019 and asked publishers to remove its ad code.

Can I show affiliate ads when AdSense has no ad?

Yes, with a plugin fallback on manual ad units. Make sure the fallback ad follows AdSense policies and is clearly separate from Google ads.