Just so people don't have any misconceived notion that Google only pays adsense publishers when it can, I did some research. Back in 2003, there was a major adsense payment delay and there were no payments issued in November, that November payment wasn't issued until the beginning of December. To "make up for it" Google issued the December payments on a record early date of December 16th. There is the proof that Google can initiate payment any day after the 15th that it chooses. Google "Can" pay early for Christmas or any other time should they desire to do so. December 2003 is proof. Google holds our funds as long as possible because they earn INTEREST on the funds as long as our funds are in their bank. It is all about maximizing shareholder profits. Can you blame them? This seems to be more and more a "each man for himself" world, and Google is a perfect example. This year they issued PIP "early" so to speak, possibly to appease us. But nobody saw a dime of actual cash before Christmas. Just thought I would share the info. Hope everyone has an extremely prosperous new year, ESPECIALLY any Google Adsense competetor out there lol! PS I DO realize that Adsense does not mislead anyone, and they are very clear about the payment time frame. It is up to the publisher to manage finances accordingly. I just wanted to share this info and opinion.
I have worked in major corporations that pay their bills monthly. It takes weeks of collating, checking, double checking, approvals and sign-offs before checks are ready to be printed. These safeguards and layers help avoid mistakes and also detect internal and external fraud. I am pleased and amazed that Google can get monthly affiliate payments out the door within 3-4 weeks. Many other affiliate programs make you wait 2-3 months or only pay quarterly. Google is the most reliable and quickest paying affiliate program that I use. If Google really were holding on for the extra interest they would being doing it for more than a few a days and would be like many major corporations that have Net-60, Net-90, or even Net-120 payment terms.
Then explain why Google issued the payments early on December 16, 2003 to "make up for" the major delay in November. Also, please go to Google and read the post about how the GOOGLE ADSENSE system works. IT'S ALL AUTOMATED. It starts when Google decides to initiate the payment process. Do you actually believe that Google has the staff to individually hand audit the millions of Adsense publishers accounts? And do you actually believe that Google is not motivated by profit and profit alone? Do you deny that Google makes millions each extra day that our funds are in their bank? No doubt Adsense is the most reliable and efficient affiliate program. Because they are the ONLY affiliate program. So far the rest of them are crud in terms of a stand alone program. But the point I am trying to make is that "Big Corporation" do not go very far in kindness to the little guy (ie initiating payment early enough in December for funds to be EFT'd before Christmas). Anyways, as I stated before, Google is very clear about the payment time frame. This is from the Google Adsense Blog: "Can you give me an actual 'end of the month' date? Unfortunately, we can't. You may sometimes see that your payment is issued on the 23rd of the month, and at other times on the 29th. This is because all earnings are audited for accuracy every month, and this automatic audit process can take different amounts of time during each payment cycle. To keep things simple, you may wish to think of 'end of the month' as the last day of the month. After your payment is issued, please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery, depending on your location and the form of payment you've selected." http://adsense.blogspot.com/2007/07/you-work-hard-for-money.html
The most likely explanation is overtime and extra resources allocated. Based on their annual report I guesstimate a 1 weeks "delay" at closer to $200-250,000,"extra" interest -assuming that you are right and they have no legitimate reason not to disperse finds earlier.
Well at least they pay monthly and you have great options i don't have any problem with the date they do payments ....