Abstract:

The purpose of this empirical and exploratory research is to investigate whether social capital through social media can increase online revenue through Google AdSense for conventional websites. Due to the fact that many Americans today are having problems with work and income, but still have time to spend on Facebook or other social media, it may be the right moment in internet marketing history to utilize a social medium they are already wedded to as a platform to make some revenue. The aim is to see if Facebook friends, on a daily basis, can actually be a good way to increase Google AdSense Revenue rather than relying on search engines to bring customers or clickers to your website without asking your social capital (Facebook friends) to intentionally click on the AdSense advertisement. It was discovered that AdSense clicks, web content searches, and website visits were significant in driving AdSense revenue through Facebook to any website. AdSense clicks and click-through-ratios (CTR) where significant for low content search value websites without revenue increase, while AdSense clicks and AdSense page views were significant for high content search value websites when Facebook was utilized to increase AdSense revenue.