By SocialStatsIQ Editorial Team
AdSense Test Deposit: How Bank Account Verification Works for YouTube Payments
Google sends a deposit of under $1 to confirm your bank account. Here is when it arrives, how it's labelled, where to enter it, and what to do after three failed tries.
Reviewed by Ihtsham Akram · Facts checked against AdSense Help on October 28, 2026
When you add a bank account for AdSense payments, Google may send a test deposit of less than $1 to prove the account is real and yours. You then enter that exact amount in AdSense. Until you do, the bank account isn't verified and can't receive your earnings.
Wire transfers don't use this step. Google states that no test-deposit verification is needed for wire transfer, so you'll only see it with bank-transfer (EFT-style) methods.
How long does the AdSense test deposit take?
| Stage | Timing | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit sent | When you add the bank account | Nothing yet |
| Appears on your statement | 1–5 business days | Watch your bank app or statement |
| Not arrived after 10 working days | Details are probably wrong | Re-check with your bank and add a corrected method |
| Entering the amount | Any time after it arrives | You get 3 attempts |
What does the test deposit look like on my bank statement?
The label depends on your bank's country. Labels Google lists include:
- AFS RE GOOGLE
- AFS RE GOOGLE ADSENSE
- ARVATO FINANCE SERVICES LIMITED
- BFS FINANCE LTD
- CITIBANK IRELAND FINANCIAL SERVICES
- Google AdSense Payment
The sender may also show as Google LLC or something similar. Look for a credit of less than one unit of your currency around those names.
How to enter the AdSense test deposit amount
- Sign in to your AdSense account (for YouTube earnings, your AdSense for YouTube account).
- Go to Payments, then Payments info.
- Click Manage payment methods.
- Click Verify now next to the bank account.
- Choose the deposit amount from the drop-down menu.
- Click Verify.
If the amounts match, the bank account is verified and can receive payments.
What if I didn't receive the AdSense test deposit?
If nothing arrives after 10 working days, Google's guidance is that the bank details were probably entered incorrectly. Don't wait longer:
- Confirm the account number, routing or sort code, IBAN and account holder name with your bank.
- Add a new payment method with the corrected details.
- Set the new method as primary.
- Remove the old payment method.
If verification is required for the new account, a fresh test deposit goes to it.
Also check that your bank is in the same country as your AdSense payment address. If it isn't, Google won't accept the bank's SWIFT code. More on this in AdSense for YouTube payment methods.
Why doesn't the test deposit amount match?
Some banks deduct a fee or commission from incoming transfers, so the amount you see can be smaller than what Google sent. If the visible amount is lower than any option in the drop-down:
- Ask your bank for the original amount before fees and enter that.
- Don't guess. Each wrong entry uses one of your three attempts.
What happens after 3 failed attempts?
You have three attempts to enter the deposit amount. After the third failure, verification is blocked and you must contact AdSense support to continue. To avoid using up attempts:
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Entering the post-fee amount | Ask your bank for the gross amount |
| Picking a different credit | Match the label and date, not just "a small amount" |
| Entering before it arrives | Wait until it shows as posted, not pending |
| Wrong account checked | Confirm the deposit went to the account you added |
Example: a test deposit from start to finish
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 0 (e.g. the 3rd) | You add your bank account under Payments info |
| Days 1–5 | The deposit (under $1) appears, labelled e.g. "Google AdSense Payment" |
| Same day it appears | You enter the exact amount in Manage payment methods > Verify now |
| Before the 20th | Verified account set as primary, ready for that month's payment run |
| 21st–26th | Payment issued to the verified account |
If you add the bank account late in the month, say on the 18th, the deposit may not arrive before the 20th, and that month's payment can slip. Add or change bank details early in the month.
Does the test deposit affect when I get paid?
It can. An unverified bank account can't be used for your payment, and changes to payment details made after the 20th apply to the following month. If your earnings are near the threshold, verify the account first so the payment run isn't the thing waiting on you.
Can I verify with a different bank account?
Yes. If the first account has problems (wrong details, a bank in another country, or a lockout you don't want to wait on), add a new payment method, set it as primary, and remove the old one. The new account gets its own test deposit if verification is required. Use an account in your name that matches the payee name on your AdSense profile.
Do wire transfers need a test deposit?
No. Google states that bank-account verification with a test deposit isn't needed for wire transfers. If you're stuck on a test deposit and wire is offered in your country, switching to wire is one way past it. It's slower, at up to 15 business days per payment.
Bank verification vs the other AdSense checks
The test deposit only verifies your bank account. It's separate from:
- Address verification (PIN): a code mailed to your payment address. See AdSense PIN not received.
- Identity verification: documents proving who you are. See AdSense identity verification failed.
All three can apply to the same account, and any of them can trigger a payment hold. For how verification fits into the whole payout process, see our complete AdSense for YouTube guide.
Sources: AdSense Help: Verify your bank account with a test deposit; YouTube Help: Add your payment method for AdSense for YouTube (checked October 28, 2026). Google's test-deposit article is written for AdSense generally. AdSense for YouTube accounts use the same Payments screens.