With their latest earnings report, Google have announced they paid over $1 billion to AdSense publishers in the first quarter of 2007. This figure was up from the $976 million they paid at the end of last year, and was the first time the figure has reached the $1b mark.

The earnings report also shows Google are now sharing more revenue with AdSense publishers than ever before, with 83.7% now given back to publishers. The graph below shows AdSense revenue sharing over the last 4 years.

So why are Google now sharing more revenue with publishers? Loren Baker from Search Engine Journal has a few ideas listed below,

• Higher quality of publishers & partners
• More strategic partners with negotiated revenue share
• Higher share due to competition at Yahoo Publisher Network, Federated Media and other ad formulas
• The introduction of image and video advertising in Google AdSense

If you’re keen to get your hands on some of this revenue, it’s never been easier to start displaying Google Ads on your website or blog. Sign-up for an AdSense account, and let us know if you see an increase in your earnings.