How much is it feasible to achieve via.adsense for a keyword with a CPC of ~$1 and exact searches of ~1200 per month.
I have 2 sites with the above searche volums and CPC and they both rank first page between postions 2-5, haven't added adsense yet, but just trying to get an estimate from people who earn from similar sites.

The reason I am asking is, I would like to know the maximum earnings potential of these sites. That way I can figure out after adding adsense whether I need to focus on these sites or move to a new niche.

It depends on factors like ad placement but I would just like a get a brief idea.

Thanks

IM

It's all based on various factors. Not everyone who visit your site will actually click your ads. Ad placement is also another factor, the ads that you display on the top of the page the cost per click is little bit higher than the ones that you put below. Here is another problem, although you say that your targeted keyword has a monthly search volume of 1,200. Based on numerous studies, if you end being on the first position for that keyword, the percentage of click your site might receives varies from 40 - 56%.

So, it means that you might receive 50% percent of that traffic, and there is what's so called bounce rate which people who leave your site in second. All those factors may have a negative impact on how much money you can make with ad-sense.

If, I were to give you an estimate you might be able to make be 20 - $30 a month.

I am newbie i think it may be helpful for you. Not everyone who visit your site will actually click your ads. Ad placement is also another factor, the ads that you display on the top of the page the cost per click is little bit higher than the ones that you put below. Here is another problem, although you say that your targeted keyword has a monthly search volume of 1,200.