Help! I turned on Google Adsense auto ads, and decided I didn’t like the way Google places the ads on my WordPress website. When I turned off Google Adsense auto ads, a giant banner ad remained on the site in the header of my WordPress website.

This seems to be a fairly common issue with people who try out Google Adsense auto ads for their WordPress site, and then decide they don’t like the way Google places the ads. However, when the WordPress site owner turns off auto ads in their Google Adsense account, and waits the recommended 24 hours, one obnoxious header ad remains.

The key factor here? The WordPress sites always have the Google Site Kit plugin.

Why Does The Header Ad Remain on WordPress Sites After Google Adsense Auto Ads is Turned Off?

This happens because WordPress sites almost always have a static header across pages by default. In order to place an ad in the static header, WordPress requires the use of the Google Site Kit plugin. Otherwise, Google Adsense auto ads would only be placed in dynamic areas of the site, such as individual content pages.

The plugin is worth having if your website is becoming popular and you wish to view Google analytics and monetize with Google. However, many find the placement of auto ads to be rather obnoxious, especially when a large one is placed in the header.

HOW TO FIX: Google Adsense Auto Ads Turned Off But Header Ad Remains on WordPress Website

1. Log into your Google Adsense account and go to the Ads section; under ‘All your sites,’ make sure that the Auto ads setting is OFF

2. Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Site Kit > Settings

3. Under ‘Connected Services,’ expand ‘AdSense’

4. Click the ‘Edit’ link in the bottom left of the AdSense settings

5. Toggle OFF the setting ‘Let Site Kit place AdSense code on your site’

6. Click ‘Confirm Changes.’ That’s it! Refresh your website and the annoying header ad should be gone.